Sowell led Seawolves to a 13-4 record and the NCAA QuarterfinalsStony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook University Director of Athletics Jim Fiore has announced the contract of head men's lacrosse coach Rick Sowell has been extended through 2015. The 2010 America East Coach of the Year, Sowell recently completed his fourth season and guided the Seawolves to their best season in the 27-year history of the program.
"What Rick has done on and off the field with our men's lacrosse team has been tremendous," Fiore said. "This contract extension confirms our commitment to excellence in men's lacrosse, while also demonstrating a long term commitment to Coach Sowell as our program leader. We remain committed to Coach Sowell in every way, and we foresee many years of continued success for Stony Brook men's lacrosse. This season was marked by unprecedented success and we are excited to continue to have Rick's leadership going forward."
Sowell's team ended the year with a 13-4 record, the most wins ever for the program. Stony Brook's banner season also included wins over renowned programs like Towson, Delaware and Denver as well as a nine-game winning streak. SBU also achieved its highest ranking ever, ending the regular season ranked #6 in the Inside Lacrosse and USILA Coaches polls. Sowell is one of just a handful of coaches to take two Division I schools to the NCAA Tournament.
"My family and I have enjoyed our four years at Stony Brook," Sowell said. "Jim Fiore has created a wonderful working environment for me and my staff. These are exciting times to be at Stony Brook and I look forward to continued success with our lacrosse program."
The regular season culminated with a win over Vermont, giving the Seawolves a 5-0 record in America East play and their first ever regular-season conference title.
Playoff wins over Vermont and Albany, which Stony Brook also defeated 15-0 in the regular season, gave SBU its first America East Tournament championship since 2002 and an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.
Seeded eighth in the tournament, Stony Brook hosted Denver and topped the Pioneers, to advance to the NCAA Quarterfinals where it faced Virginia. Before a standing-room only crowd of 10,024 and a national tv audience, the Seawolves battled the Cavaliers to the end before falling valiantly 10-9.
Junior Kevin Crowley (New Westminster, British Columbia), the unanimous America East Player of the Year, had one of the best seasons in program history. Crowley scored 51 goals, the most by an individual in a single season in school history, and added 26 assists. He had more goals this season than his previous two years combined.
Crowley is just 26 points shy of Stony Brook's all-time record (201) and is the only player in school history in the top five in both goals and assists. One of the best midfielders in the country, Crowley is a finalist for the Tewaaraton Award, given to the nation's most outstanding collegiate lacrosse player. Last week he was named as the USILA's 2010 recipient of the Lt. Raymond J. Enners Award, given to the nation's most outstanding Division I player.
Junior Jordan McBride (New Westminster, British Columbia) became Stony Brook's all-time leading goal scorer with 134 after scoring a pair of goals against Albany in the America East Championship game. McBride also became the first player in school history to score at least 40 goals in three straight seasons, finishing 2010 with 48 goals, a career best.
Six different Seawolves were named All-America East, including senior Steven Waldeck (Levittown, N.Y.), who was named to the USILA North/South Senior All-Star Game and competed in the Warrior Major League Challenge, an invitation-only Scouting Combine event featuring the top senior lacrosse players from all NCAA divisions.
Crowley, McBride, Waldeck and senior Tom Compitello (Hauppauge, N.Y.) were each named All-American, with Crowley becoming Stony Brook's first first-team selection.
McBride was named to the third team while Waldeck and Compitello were honorable mention.
Sowell who will be an assistant coach for Team USA in next month's World Championships in Manchester, England, has also had head coaching stops at Dartmouth College and St. John's University before taking over the reins at Stony Brook in 2006. He's 37-22 at Stony Brook.
