STONY BROOK, N.Y. – On Friday, September 26, Stony Brook University proudly inducted four exceptional Seawolves into the Rita & Kurt Eppenstein Athletics Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place at Stony Brook Arena, where the Class of 2025 was honored for their outstanding contributions to Stony Brook Athletics.
This year's inductees included:
Michael Bamiro '13, Football
A standout offensive tackle, Michael Bamiro anchored the right side of Stony Brook's offensive line from 2010-12. He started 33 straight games at right tackle, delivering consistent protection and powerful run-blocking that helped elevate the Seawolves to national recognition. His presence up front was key to the program's back-to-back FCS playoff appearances in 2011 and 2012, seasons in which Stony Brook's rushing offense ranked among the top 10 in the country. Bamiro's outstanding play earned him first-team All-Big South and AP All-America honors in 2012. After Stony Brook, he quickly made the jump to the professional level, signing with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2013. He went on to play professionally at three different levels: New York Giants (National Football League), Montreal Alouettes (Canadian Football League), and the Washington Valor (Arena Football League).
Shayla Giosia-Brown '15, Softball
An all-conference honoree in all four seasons at Stony Brook, Shayla Giosia-Brown helped lead Stony Brook to an America East Championship and its second-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2013. Giosia graduated from Stony Brook as the program leader with 163 career runs batted in. She racked up 232 career hits, the second most in program history upon her graduation. Her name remains etched in Stony Brook's record books in various offensive categories: singles (3rd, 150), doubles (4th, 47), total bases (5th, 380), home runs (7th, 31), and runs scored (7th, 127). An All-America East Second Teamer, Giosia-Brown helped Stony Brook become the second America East program to win a title after losing its first game, hitting a go-ahead grand slam en route to a two-win day over UAlbany and the second America East Championship in program history.
Sean Chamberlain '07, Men's Lacrosse
From 2004-07, Sean Chamberlain played a pivotal role in guiding Stony Brook to four consecutive appearances in the America East playoffs, including a berth in the conference title game in 2005. The Seawolves won 35 games during his career, including victories over Denver, Penn State, Rutgers, Harvard, Hofstra, Albany, Delaware and Lehigh. He recorded 80 points in four years as a Seawolf. Following graduation, Chamberlain transitioned seamlessly into coaching, taking the helm of the Farmingdale State men's lacrosse program in 2014. Under his leadership, the Rams have reached the Skyline Conference playoffs in all eight seasons, amassing more than 100 wins. A three-time Skyline Coach of the Year, Chamberlain has guided the Rams to back-to-back conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances.
Erica Keller-Meyer '99, '03, Women's Soccer
From 1996-98, Erica Keller-Meyer established herself as the most prolific scorer in Stony Brook women's soccer history, finishing her career with 45 goals, a program record that still stands today. Keller-Meyer boasted a well-rounded offensive skill set, also owning the program record for career points (106) and ranking ninth in Stony Brook history with 16 career assists. Her standout season came in 1997, when she posted 18 goals and 7 assists (43 points), the third-highest single-season point total in program history. Her 18 goals and 43 points still stand as single-season program records during Stony Brook's Division I era. Keller-Meyer also owns the program record for the most goals in a single game (4).
The Stony Brook University Department of Athletics Hall of Fame began in 1991 with the induction of its first members. Since that first ceremony, some of Stony Brook's most decorated athletes, celebrated coaches and valued supporters have been enshrined in the Hall in recognition of their accomplishments.
On October 20, 2007 the Hall of Fame was dedicated as the Rita & Kurt Eppenstein Athletics Hall of Fame to honor the memory of Rita and Kurt Eppenstein, two quintessential New Yorkers whose lives serve as a higher lesson in ethics, character and perseverance, and who sacrificed much to enable their son to graduate from college and law school, and to enjoy the opportunities and experiences that flowed from their own American dream. Their son, Ted Eppenstein '68, was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in the fourth class to be inducted in 1994.
