STONY BROOK, N.Y. – In the first season in which the honor has been awarded, Head Coach
Chuck Priore has announced senior defensive lineman
Taylor Bolesta as the 2023 recipient of the Joe Feminella Award and Bolesta will wear the honorary #10 jersey for the upcoming season.
Bolesta received the award for his leadership qualities and competitive nature on the field, matching the spirit of Feminella on the field.
"In recognition of Joe Feminella and what he meant to our football program, we decided to award his jersey number to a student-athlete we thought represented what Joe was about over his 16 years with the program," Priore said. "Taylor is somebody that does everything the right way and has handled adversity correctly throughout his life. He'll be a great role model wearing the number 10."
Joe was adopted by the Stony Brook football team through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation in 2009 and cheered on the team on the sidelines for 13 seasons. Friends of Jaclyn Foundation works to improve the lives of children battling pediatric brain tumors. His presence and joy lifted up the Seawolves each and every game and Joe was an instrumental part of the Seawolves' postseason appearances in 2011, 2012, 2017, and 2018.
Bolesta, an LIU transfer, appeared in all 11 games during the 2022 season, making 22 tackles, seven tackles for loss, adding 0.5 sacks and a fumble recovery in his first season with the Seawolves.
His brother, Parker is a freshman on the Seawolves' roster. The Dallas, Pa. received Phil Steele Fourth Team Preseason All-CAA honors on July 28.
"Being chosen to wear #10 this year is the greatest honor I've received as a man and as a player," Bolesta said. "I'm truly honored because I have the ability to represent what Joe has done for the program since 2009 and I get to represent him and his family and their impact on the program the last 16 years. It means a lot and I can't put into words how honored I am."
Stony Brook begins the 2023 season on Thursday, Aug. 31, at 7 p.m., against Delaware at LaValle Stadium.
