Welcome Home!
 
Homecoming at Stony Brook is a special time as we welcome our alumni back for a weekend filled with events, highlighted by the Hall of Fame induction dinner on Friday and the football game on Saturday.
 
I'm looking forward to kicking off a great weekend tomorrow night as we induct the newest members into the Stony Brook Athletics Hall of Fame. The Class of 2022 includes Allison Cukrov (softball), Darcy Heuser-Ryan (women's swimming and diving), Senator Kenneth P. LaValle (Stony Brook Athletics advocate and champion), Claire Petersen (women's lacrosse), Tyler Santucci (football), Dale Summerville (men's cross country), Jameel Warney (men's basketball) and the 2012 Baseball team, the first team to ever be inducted.
 
This year's event promises to be our largest yet so we are holding the festivities inside of Island Federal Arena for the first time to accommodate the large number of attendees. We expect a large contingent from the 2012 baseball team in addition to the other inductees and their families. Unfortunately, Tyler Santucci and Jameel Warney are unable to attend. Tyler currently serves as the linebackers coach at Texas A&M while Jameel is playing professionally in South Korea.
 
Congratulations to the entire Class of 2022!
 
Focus on Football
 
Saturday's Homecoming game against Maine will mark a welcomed return to LaValle Stadium after opening the season with four road games in our six contests.
 
It is no secret that the season has not yielded the results that any of us would deem successful to this point. There are several factors that have contributed to our tough start but we aren't in the business of making excuses so I won't start here. I hold myself accountable as leader of our department and will continue to do everything that I can to maximize the program's success competitively and financially. Needless to say, I understand that a lack of wins comes with criticism and questions. That is the nature of our business. It is also the nature of our business to charge forward and find solutions, and that is exactly what we are working to do.
 
Regardless of the sport, when a team struggles it wears on the student-athletes who are giving everything that they have in order to be successful. Our student-athletes have remained positive while putting in the work necessary to win. They don't control the schedule, the finances or the injuries but they do have complete control over effort and mindset. They have not wavered in their approach and will be ready to compete and win on Saturday.
 
Adversity tests us, but it also makes us stronger. I promise that we will pull ourselves up and be significantly stronger as a result. Please hang with us and these amazing student-athletes who will continue to make you proud to support Stony Brook Football.
 
Get your tickets for Saturday's Homecoming game and cheer our team on to victory. Our guys are ready and the weather forecast could not be more promising. I'll look forward to seeing you on Saturday!
 
Women's Soccer Heads to Hofstra with CAA Tournament Implications
 
Like each of our teams competing in their first CAA season, the women's soccer team has faced tough competition throughout the regular season. Heading into Sunday's regular season finale at Hofstra, Tobias Bischof and his squad control their own destiny with regard to earning a spot in the CAA Tournament.
 
After defeating UNC Wilmington 3-2 on Sunday, the team can finish as high as the No. 5 seed with a win over Hofstra. Although history is not on our side (the last time we defeated our Long Island rival in women's soccer was 1998) momentum certainly is.
 
The CAA Tournament begins on October 28.
 
Cross Country Running Strong, Looking Toward CAA Championships
 
The men's and women's cross country teams are both trending in the right direction ahead of next week's CAA Championships.
 
Robert Becker continued his impressive fall by earning CAA Men's Runner of the Week honors for the second time after his top 10 finish at the IC4A Championship. His time of 24:14 paced the team to a third-place finish just behind Princeton and Cornell.
 
The women's team took home the title in the ECAC Championship after three runners crossed the line in the top 10, led by Fiona McLoughlin's fourth-place finish.
 
The CAA Championship meet will take place on Friday, October 28 and will be hosted by Delaware.
 
Men's Soccer, Volleyball Continue CAA Play
 
Men's soccer and volleyball will travel in opposite directions as both teams continue CAA competition this weekend.
 
Ryan Anatol takes his men's soccer squad to UNC Wilmington for a Saturday afternoon match while Kristin Belzung leads our volleyball team to Boston for matches against Northeastern on Saturday and Sunday.
 
Men's and Women's Basketball Around the Corner
 
The countdown is on to the 2022-23 men's and women's basketball season, which tips off for both teams on Monday, November 7.
 
It has been rewarding to see the competitiveness in practice as both teams prepare for their first year in the CAA. I have also been pleased to watch returning players take on increased leadership roles, especially with several new faces joining the program. Both teams have had their rosters bolstered by the addition of several new student-athletes who will contribute greatly on the floor and in the locker room.  
 
Our men open the season at Florida before returning to Island Federal Arena for the home opener against Miami Hamilton on Friday, November 11. The women will host an exhibition game against Adelphi on November 3 prior to opening the regular season at Syracuse. 
 
Please get your tickets now and join us for what promises to be a great year for our basketball teams!

Keep believing!


 
Shawn