'Tis the Season!
As we approach the final days of 2023, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish everyone in our extended Seawolves family a very happy holiday season. I am looking ahead to the new year with energy and enthusiasm in anticipation of all that 2024 has in store.
Our mindset remains squarely focused on elevating our status in the CAA and on the national stage. We understand what is required to maximize success in the CAA, and the past 12 months have been marked by several significant actions that will further serve to elevate our department:
- Celebration of a record fundraising year which saw the department raise $7,382,464 in cash and pledges, which included two separate gifts of $3,000,000, for the 2023 fiscal year.
- Installation of the new Kehoe Family Scoreboard in the north end zone of LaValle Stadium.
- Lead gift of $2,500,000 toward the revitalization of Joe Nathan Field and University Field.
- Gift of $500,000 to support initiatives for Stony Brook basketball.
- Creation of the 1957 Club to generate NIL opportunities for Stony Brook student-athletes.
- Construction of a new multi-purpose film room within the Indoor Sports Complex.
- Expansion of Seawolves Kitchen training table meals for all student-athletes inside of Island Federal Arena.
- Renovation of our varsity weight room, which is used to complement the Dubin Family Athletic Performance Center, to accommodate a larger number of student-athletes.
We are extremely proud of the achievements listed above, but our daily work in support of our student-athlete is always the driving force behind what we do. Our student-athletes are excelling academically, as evidenced by the 313 Seawolves named to the CAA Commissioner's Honor Roll for earning a minimum 3.0 GPA, as well as personally and professionally.
Our focus will always be on positively impacting the lives of the young people who are within our four walls. I am grateful to all who support our mission by donating to Seawolves United, purchasing tickets and coming to cheer on our Seawolves at games throughout the year.
We are bringing a tremendous amount of momentum into 2024 and the objective is to keep it rolling over the next few days, weeks, and months. Entering today, our women's basketball team is 8-1 with the lone defeat coming on the road at Big Ten opponent Minnesota while the men's team is riding a four-game winning streak heading into tonight's battle at Michigan State.
Our last home event of the year is on December 29, when our men's basketball team
hosts Brown at Island Federal Arena. I hope that you will join me as we look to close out 2023 the way that we started it – with a win.
Welcome Billy Cosh!
The big news from last week was the announcement of Billy Cosh taking over the reins of our football program as our new head coach. I could not be more excited to have Billy, his wife Kelsey and daughter Charli join our Stony Brook family.
In the few short days since he was named head coach, Billy has been beyond busy – with days filled by meeting individually with each one of our student-athletes either in person or over Zoom, making several decisions related to his staff and diving headfirst into recruiting – all while bringing incredible energy to our department.
The process that led to his hire was extremely thorough and, as I stated at his introductory press conference, I am 100 percent confident that we have the right man for the job. We're planning a series of events to introduce Coach Cosh to alums, season ticket holders and community members in the weeks ahead so I can't wait for you to get to know him – and he can't wait to get to know you!
All my best to you for a joyous and peaceful holiday… in the meantime, get ready for greatness in 2024!
Keep believing!
Shawn
