Together We Transform Thursday – April 25, 2019
 
Let's Talk
 
Every Thursday since January 14, 2016, I have sat at my computer in my office or with my iPad on the road and written to you about Stony Brook Athletics. I'm grateful to you for taking the time to read and hope that you find some of what I share informative and (dare I say) insightful.
 
It is hard to believe that I have been the AD at Stony Brook for five years. The success that we have achieved during that time has come as a result of our collective energy and the belief in what is possible.
 
As I thought about what to write this week, I realized what I really want is to hear from you. If you have a question, I will answer it. If you have a suggestion, I will consider it. The future of Stony Brook Athletics is in our hands, and the more connected that we all are the better. My email is shawn.heilbron@stonybrook.edu and you may also connect with me on Twitter at @ShawnHeilbron. Let me hear from you!
 
Top Seed on the Line as Men's Lacrosse Hosts Albany Tomorrow


 
With Saturday's 10-9 win over Vermont, the men's lacrosse team has put itself in a position to win the America East regular season title and claim the top seed in next weekend's conference tournament. All that stands in our way is Albany, and the Great Danes come to LaValle Stadium tomorrow night at 7 p.m. with first place on the line.
 
We are currently tied with Albany at 4-1 in the America East and a win tomorrow night would give us our first regular season championship since 2012. 
 
Come out tomorrow and cheer on our Seawolves! Be sure to get there early as we honor our seniors before the game.
 
Softball Welcomes First-Place UMass Lowell


 
Softball has a chance to make a move up the standings this weekend with a three-game series at University Field against UMass Lowell. The River Hawks currently sit atop the league standings with a 12-0 mark but our squad has won four of five, including yesterday's 6-3 win over UMBC.
 
Saturday will feature a doubleheader at 1 with a single game scheduled for Sunday at 12 p.m. Please come out and support our women this weekend as they look to improve upon their 23-15 record, which includes a 7-5 mark in conference play. Saturday will be a special day as we recognize our seniors, including Danni Kemp.
 
Danni passed away in 2017 after battling DIPG, a rare form of childhood brain cancer. This would have been Danni's senior season, and we look forward to welcoming her parents as we celebrate her and the amazing 2019 senior group before Saturday's doubleheader.
 
Football Hosts Spring Game on Saturday


 
Saturday marks the culmination of spring drills for the football team, which will host its annual intrasquad scrimmage beginning at 2 p.m. in LaValle Stadium.
 
The most impressive element of our team that I have noticed this spring is our overall speed. We have guys who are flying all over the field on both sides of the ball. Not only have several of our young players emerged throughout the spring, but new coaches Caleb Haynes (receivers) and Diamond Weaver (cornerbacks) have made immediate impacts.
 
I'm telling you right now, if Ty Son Lawton stays healthy, he could challenge for CAA Rookie of the Year. Come out on Saturday and watch him run. There is no question that he's going to be the next great running back at Stony Brook.  
 
Good Luck to Tennis at the Missouri Valley Championships!


 
Our tennis team is in Cedar Falls, Iowa, where they will begin their pursuit of the first Missouri Valley Conference title in program history this weekend.
 
The top seed in the MVC, the Seawolves received a bye in the quarterfinals and will take on either Missouri State or Drake in Saturday's semifinals.
 
Congratulations to senior Ana Carrion Rodriguez for being named to the MVC Scholar-Athlete First Team with a 3.90 GPA!
 
Off Campus This Weekend…
 

• No. 16 women's lacrosse travels to New Hampshire on Sunday. A win clinches us the top seed in next week's America East Tournament.
• Baseball is at UMBC for a doubleheader on Saturday and single game on Sunday.
• Track & Field is at the Penn Relays tomorrow.

 
Keep believing!
 
Warm regards,


 
Shawn