STONY BROOK, N.Y. — After a third trip to the NCAA Quarterfinals in the last four years, head coach Joe Spallina has agreed to a contract extension through the end of the 2026 campaign, Director of Athletics Shawn Heilbron announced today.
The eight-time America East Champion will remain on the Seawolves sidelines for at least five more seasons, continuing the program's pursuit of a national championship.
"I want to thank our incredible athletic director Shawn Heilbron, deputy director of athletics Rob Emmerich and University President Maurie McInnis for their unyielding support," Spallina said. "This type of extension illustrates how important lacrosse is at Stony Brook and my family and I are extremely grateful. Long Island is who we are and building a Power Five women's lacrosse program that is a consistent top 10 presence in the country has proven it can be done at any level."
Arriving before the 2012 campaign, he engineered the nation's best turnaround his first season on campus, leading the squad to a berth in the America East title game. After that, his run of trophies began and the program has continued to grow to this date.
The Seawolves are currently the owners of the longest winning streak against conference opponents of any NCAA team sport, earning 54 consecutive wins against America East squads. Spallina's teams have won eight straight conference titles during that stretch.
"Year after year, this program exemplifies what it takes to be elite and that is something I am very proud of," Spallina added. "Our student-athletes are off the charts on and off the field and success doesn't happen by mistake. The best is still yet to come for Stony Brook Women's Lacrosse and I am truly honored to be leading the charge in our quest for a national championship."
After appearing in the quarterfinals for the first time in 2017, the Seawolves have made regular appearances on the second weekend of the NCAA Championship, earning three appearances in four seasons.
The winningest coach in program history, Spallina also owns the highest winning percentage of any active NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse coach, currently sitting at 231-32-1 (.877).
"Joe is one of the nation's truly elite coaches who has built our women's lacrosse program into a perennial top 10 team and national championship contender," Heilbron said. "His energy, passion and commitment are unmatched, and I'm beyond excited about the future. Given his success, countless opportunities come his way every year but he is 100 percent committed to Stony Brook and the student-athletes who play for him. He built this program from the ground up and has remained absolutely relentless in his pursuit of bringing a title to Long Island."
Among the returners for Spallina's club in 2022 are America East Defensive Player of the Year, Rayna Sabella and sophomores Ellie Masera and Jaden Hampel, each of which played significant roles in the Seawolves' NCAA Tournament success.
"We love Long Island," Spallina said.
