Ready to Launch: The Stony Brook Indoor Training Center
 
More than three years have passed since President Stanley, Chuck Priore and I met with Glenn Dubin and asked him to be the lead donor for our proposed indoor practice facility.
 
By the time we left the meeting, we had a $5 million commitment and a mission to make the project a reality as soon as possible. With a lead gift from the Dubin family, the support Senator Ken LaValle and more than 100 donors, we were able to reach our overall goal of $11 million. With the necessary funding secured, we then went to bid for an architect and were fortunate to partner with Rafael Vinoly Architects (RVA). With RVA on board, the next step was to design the structure.


 
Several different options were considered for the indoor facility, but the concept that we liked best was a steel-supported tension fabric structure. This is different than the "bubble" concept that many schools have where air is used to support the structure. As we went through the process of designing the Stony Brook Indoor Training Center, an attached support building with a lobby, training room and restrooms was added to the project.
 
The design phase is always interesting as decisions are made and plans are altered. When we first started with RVA, we gave them our wish list knowing full well that some items would have to come out through value engineering. For example, we made the decision to make the field 80 yards as opposed to 100. This saved more than $1.5 million and, given the fact that we didn't actually need a 100-yard field, it made total sense. (In fact, the field in the Philadelphia Eagles' indoor facility is only 60 yards.)
 
Once the project design was finalized in late 2017, we went out to bid in January for the general contractor. With all of the principal players on board, we finally were able to have a kickoff meeting on campus on Tuesday – three years, one month and seven days after receiving the commitment from Glenn.
 
Now comes the exciting part. You will soon see the area staged for construction with trucks and heavy machines coming onto the site. The construction timeline calls for an 11-month build, but that isn't completely realistic with weather and other potential delays. My expectation is to have the facility up and running by winter of 2019.   
 
The Stony Brook Indoor Training Center going to be a game changer for our entire department. It's been a long wait but we're ready to get started!
 
First Up: Women's Soccer
 
With their first game a little more than two weeks away, the members of our women's soccer team reported earlier this week for the start of fall practice. Women's Soccer is looking to defend their America East championship under third-year head coach (and new father) Brendan Faherty. With the schedule that he put together, his team will be tested early with six straight road contests.


 
Women's Soccer will open the season in my old stomping grounds with games against Oregon and Oregon State. Next up are games at Notre Dame, Seton Hall, Boston College and St. John's before the home opener on September 6 against NJIT.
 
Football Opens Fall Camp Today
 
The 2018 football season is officially underway as the team gathered today in advance of their first practice tomorrow morning.


 
I had the chance to address the team this afternoon, and as I looked into the eyes of our student-athletes I saw intensity and purpose. As usual, the seniors were seated at the front of the room. I came to Stony Brook in 2014 at the same time as guys like Joe Carbone, Cal Daniels, Shayne Lawless and Donavin Washington. A lot has changed since I was a first-year AD and those four were freshmen. Our program has evolved as have our young men.
 
As I told the group this afternoon, we're all in this together. Through the ups and the downs we must trust one another and remain connected. The more that we believe in one another the stronger we will be.
 
You can follow along with the team through "31 Days in August" as the team prepares for Air Force on September 1. Each day you will be taken behind the scenes to see how our team is working to make 2018 the most successful season in our program's history.
 
Keep believing!

Warm regards,



Shawn