Together We Transform Thursday – January 10, 2019
 
Big Days for Basketball
 


The combined record of our men's and women's basketball teams is currently 27-6, and you would be hard-pressed to find a school that is having more success on the hardwood than Stony Brook.
 
Those who witnessed last night's 59-46 win for the men over Binghamton might say that it was hardly a thing of beauty, but then again beauty is in the eye of the beholder. A 13-point win that gave our guys a 2-0 start in America East play is beautiful in my eyes. Plus we all saw the Jeff Otchere factor on full display as the 6-11 sophomore swatted seven shots to lead a defensive effort that limited the Bearcats to 29 percent shooting.
 
While the men were taking care of business at Island Federal Arena, the women were in Binghamton where they ran their America East mark to 2-1 after a 65-56 win. Shorty Johnson tied the school record with seven three-pointers as India Pagan contributed 19 points while continuing her stellar play inside.
 
My appeal to you is to get on the bandwagon now – and bring lots of friends. We'll make room. Saturday night's men's game against New Hampshire should have a big time feel. In fact, we specifically schedule all Saturday games for 7 p.m. because we believe that is when the energy is at its highest. Get your tickets now and come cheer our guys on as they go for their 15^th win.
 
Your next chance to catch the women at home is a week from Saturday when they take on Maine (tickets).
 
Chris Infantino: Researcher and Right Tackle

 

Chris Infantino is an amazing young man with an amazing story. The sixth-year senior, who started all 12 games at right tackle in 2018, almost saw his football career end even before it began.
 
For starters, at the age of 11 he spent several days in a coma due to inflammation on his brain. He recovered and went on to a standout career at Valley Stream High School. After graduating in 2013, Chris walked on to the football team at Stony Brook and was given the number 61 as a member of the defensive line. Shortly thereafter, his father got sick and Chris left school – and the team – to be with his family while working to earn extra money. Sadly his father passed away in 2014 and Chris ultimately made the decision to return to Stony Brook. After speaking with Chuck Priore, Chris was welcomed back to the team but would return with a new number and a new position.     
 
As number 79, Chris worked with the offensive line and played in one game in 2016 and three games in 2017. Ultimately he earned the starting job in his final season and helped pave the way for the "Long Island Express" rushing attack.
 
While at Stony Brook, Chris did more than play football. He earned a 3.31 GPA while pursuing a double major in biology and psychology. After obtaining his undergraduate degree he went for his master's in biomedical sciences with a concentration on neuroscience. All the while he wanted to learn more about the brain and make it his life's work. As a football player, he took a particular interest in CTE and the link to Alzheimer's.
 
Chris completed an internship at NYU where he studied autism, and last summer interned at the University of Kentucky where he worked with a team researching Alzheimer's. He has also done extensive research on campus at Stony Brook. For his extraordinary efforts, Chris received the CAA's Chuck Boone Leadership Award and was honored last weekend in Dallas as the recipient of the STATS FCS Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award.
 
I feel very fortunate that I have had the opportunity to get to know Chris and watch him grow during his time at Stony Brook.
 
Warney to Westchester
 


As the news broke that Jameel Warney was traded to the G League's Westchester Knicks from the Texas Legends, my first thought was that it was a sensational opportunity. Not only would Jameel be closer to his New Jersey home and Stony Brook family, but it was highly likely that the Knicks would call him up at some point this season.
 
My second thought was that my friend and former Oregon State colleague Craig Robinson would be able to take Jameel under his wing. Craig was our head coach at OSU and now serves as the Vice President of Player Development for the Knicks. In his role he also manages operations for the G-League Knicks. When I went to watch Jameel play last year with the Mavericks at Madison Square Garden, I saw Craig and talked to him at length about the greatest player in Stony Brook history.
 
When I texted Craig and told him how excited that I was that Jameel was traded to Westchester, his response to me was: "Who do you think traded for him?" I have a very good feeling about this for Jameel, and Craig has a lot to do with it.
 
Let's keep the good times going. Keep believing!
 
Warm regards,
 
Shawn