What’s a Seawolf?

Life In The Fast Lane - Jon Lane...YesNetwork.com BLOG

The answer isn’t cut and dry. In fact there’s a literal, figurative and mythical explanation behind the chosen moniker of the State University of Stony Brook. This season bright red T-shirts have been distributed to show off at all athletic events. The front asks the question. Turn it around and the answer exclaims “I’m a Seawolf!”

I was able to experience first-hand the power of the Seawolf and a rising program while visiting LaValle Stadium on a huge campus located on the north shore of Suffolk County, Long Island, New York. Literally it felt like the power of the sea wreaked havoc over the Tri-State area on this Saturday afternoon. While parts of New Jersey, Connecticut and even New York City were belted with an unprecedented Nor'easter two days before Halloween, eastern Long Island got lucky with heavy winds and chilling rain – and the Stony Brook Seawolves football team was obligated to face Coastal Carolina under those conditions.

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan loves to brag about (when it’s working) his “Ground and Pound” offense. A Seawolves team that used a balanced attack to average 44 points in his previous four games netted not a single passing yard. Rather, they made the best of Mother Nature’s wrath by gaining a Big South Conference single-game record 446 yards in a 42-0 victory. Senior Brock Jackolski rushed for a career-high 193 yards and a touchdown. Junior Miguel Maysonet, Jackolski’s tag-team partner who thanks to the demise of the Hofstra football program followed him to Stony Brook as transfers, ran for 193 yards and three scores.

The Seawolves are winners of five straight and seemed destined for a showdown against Liberty November 19 at LaValle Stadium to decide the Big South Championship. When you consider the success of the basketball program – the last two seasons has seen the team earn an NIT berth and fall two points short of reaching the NCAA dance – it’s no hyperbole to suggest that the major sports are growing in stature while generating attention from the media and community.

Longtime Minnesota Twins closer and Stony Brook alum (1997) Joe Nathan was honored in a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday morning to christen Joe Nathan Field thanks to Nathan’s $500,000 lead gift for the construction of the facility. Speaking with Nathan and his coach Matt Senk, with the university 22 seasons and counting, each were amazed at how the department has developed from the ground up. Senk wore an astonished expression when he reminisced about his earlier years when the field was more like a park and the program barely a blip.

(Nathan, by the way, is a free agent. He begins his offseason throwing program this week and said he’s considering all options, including the Mets.)

Football’s performance continues to help the university peak. Jackolski became the 10th player in Big South history with more than 2,000 yards on the ground and moved into third place all-time in school history with 21 rushing touchdowns. He and Maysonet remind me of Thunder and Lightning (think Ron Dayne and Tiki Barber or Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw), and each could conceivably become the first Seawolf to make it to the NFL.

It can happen. Coastal Carolina currently has three alumni in the NFL, Mike Tolbert (Chargers), Jerome Simpson (Bengals) and Tyler Thigpen (Bills). Sixteen years ago nobody gave Hofstra a second thought until Wayne Chrebet made the Jets as an undrafted free agent and played for 11 seasons. Once Chrebet became a star the floodgates opened. Marques Colston is excelling in New Orleans and won a Super Bowl with the Saints.

So what is a Seawolf? Technically it’s a marine fish, the largest of the wolf fish family Anarhichadidae. According to University records, the change was made once Stony Brook became a Division I program and out of 200 suggestions the Seawolf was chosen. School lore views it as a sea creature that brings good luck to anyone to lay eyes on it.

As football proved Saturday under the worst of conditions, seeing is believing. One fan watching from the VIP lounge took his 12-year-old son to the game. His knowledge of the game was impeccable and passion for it remarkable. Speaking with me and my dad, he broke down the game like an analyst. It turns out that man was former Giants punter Sean Landeta, who defied the Nor'easter to make the trip from Manhasset. Landeta, who played at Towson State, is more proof that small schools can forge big dreams and create major success. On his way out Landeta was asked about Jackolski and Maysonet. “Anything can happen,” he responded with a wink and a smile. If that happens more will be asking what on earth is a Seawolf? A quick study of a program’s rise is a great start.

STONY BROOK'S PAUL FENAROLI MAKES GREEN BAY PACKERS PRACTICE SQUAD

Green Bay, Wisc. - Former Stony Brook standout Paul Fenaroli '11 was added to the Green Bay Packers practice squad, the organization announced on Monday. Fenaroli will wear #64 for the defending Super Bowl champions.
Fenaroli spent most of the 2011 preseason with the Atlanta Falcons before being released.
A two-time, first-team All-Big South selection, Fenaroli started 38 straight games for the Seawolves. In his four seasons, he twice blocked for two 1,000-yard rushers in a season.
Green Bay has a bye this week before taking on San Diego on November 6 at 4:15.

STONY BROOK Men's soccer loses to Hartford on Senior Day

Leonardo Fernandes scores for the Seawolves, who have earned a bye into the America East Championship semifinals.

The Stony Brook men's soccer team fell behind Hartford early and was unable to come back from a three-goal deficit, losing to the Hawks 3-1 Sunday at LaValle Stadium on Senior Day. Junior Leonardo Fernandes (Sao Paulo, Brazil) scored the lone goal for the Seawolves.

Stony Brook ends the regular season 8-6-3 overall and 4-2-1 in America East. The Seawolves have clinched the No. 2 seed in the upcoming America East Championship and will host either No. 3 Vermont or No. 6 Albany in the semifinals on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
"We started out slow tonight and dug ourselves a hole," head coach Ryan Anatol said. "We didn't do a good job of winning the first ball and the second ball. We created a lot of chances, but could not finish them."

Stony Brook outshot Hartford 22-14 and had nine shots on goal to Hartford's six, but it was the Hawks who found the back of the net. David Bernhardsson got the Hawks on the board with a header off a Mathias Axelsson cross in the 27th minute.

With the first half near an end, Hartford had a corner kick, and Connor Yeaney converted Bernhardsson's corner when he came out of a scrum with the ball and kicked it into the net just one yard away. Hartford went into halftime up 2-0.

In the 56th minute, the Hawks seemingly put the game out of reach when Atobra Ampadu chipped the ball over Seawolves goalkeeper Stefan Manz (Bronx, N.Y.) after getting the ball when a hard kick went to Bernhardsson, and he deflected it to a wide open Ampadu.

Just three minutes later, the Seawolves were awarded a free kick, and Fernandes converted from 23 yards out, finding the right corner of the net well away from a diving Matt McElroy.

The Seawolves had plenty of chances to score, but their kicks seemingly went high of the net. McElroy, who came in to relieve Luke Citriniti after an injury, made a few diving saves - he had eight on the night - to keep Stony Brook off the scoreboard.

Prior to the match, Stony Brook honored three seniors for their outstanding service, including captain Kyle McTurk (Hauppauge, N.Y.), Serigne Sylla (Dakar, Senegal), Mame Samb (Dakar, Senegal) and Steven Medwinter (St. Albans, N.Y.).

Stony Brook will now have 10 days to prepare for its America East Championship semifinals match, which will take place on Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the match are $8 for adults and $5 for youths. For more information on tickets, call 631-632-WOLF.

Maysonet, Jackolski, SBU romp on ground

By Greg Logan, Newsday
Brock Jackolski had shed his waterlogged football gear and changed into dry "sweat" clothes, but he still was shivering 15 minutes after Stony Brook finished pounding Big South rival Coastal Carolina, 42-0, in a driving rain and wind storm Saturday at LaValle Stadium.
"Hands down, this is the worst conditions I've ever played in," Jackolski said with a smile. "But that's Northeast football. You've got to love it."
The Chanticleers (4-4, 1-3 Big South) might not share those sentiments after leaving sunny 63-degree weather in Myrtle Beach, S.C., to fly into the face of a nor'easter and the Seawolves' all-weather running game. The 446 rushing yards Coastal allowed were the second-worst in school history, behind only the 512 it gave up to Georgia Southern in 2007, and on the flip side, the Chanticleers managed only 73 yards of total offense against a physical Stony Brook defense.
The Seawolves (5-3, 3-0) had the horses for the wet course as Miguel Maysonet rushed for 191 yards and three touchdowns, Jackolski ran for 193 yards and a touchdown and JeVahn Cruz made the most of his limited time with 70 yards and a TD. It didn't matter that Stony Brook had zero passing yards because quarterback Kyle Essington, who went 0-for-6 thanks to three dropped balls in the first half, completed all his handoffs.

Coastal often had nine defenders in the box to stop the run, but Maysonet beat the Chanticleers with his nifty moves between the tackles and Jackolski beat them around the corner.
"It makes it tougher, but you've got to run the ball regardless of how many men they have in the box," Maysonet said. "Obviously, we weren't able to pass. I was just trying to hold the ball and run between the tackles, and the offensive line did a great job blocking again."
Maysonet gave Stony Brook a 21-0 lead early in the third quarter with TD runs of 9, 1 and 26 yards. His second touchdown was set up when Carolina punter Austin Cain fumbled the snap and was tackled at his own 1 by Matt Brevi in the first quarter. Every play in the kicking game was an adventure.
In the third quarter, Cain fumbled a low snap at his 13-yard line, and Seawolves defensive lineman Jonathan Coats blocked the kick and scooped it up at the 2-yard line to score for a 28-0 lead. It was Coats' second TD this season.
"I saw he mishandled the ball and I tried to speed up and get my hands up," Coats said. "It was difficult conditions, and it was hard to catch the ball. Anything could happen."
The most surprising thing might have been Coats fielding the ball cleanly on his way to score. "I was surprised," he laughed. "It was a great feeling, and I want to give credit to the rest of the defense. We did what we had to do. We wanted it more than they did, and we were energetic before the game."
Touchdown runs of 46 yards by Jackolski and 43 yards by Cruz put the game on ice at the end of a frigid day. Still trying to dry out afterward, Maysonet said, "It's only fun at the end when we win."

SBU, PRIORE Adjusts well....
Stony Brook scored its third Big South blowout in as many conference games this season with a 42-0 rout of Coastal Carolina Saturday night at LaValle Stadium, and it underlined once again the ability of Seawolves coach Chuck Priore and his staff to make effective halftime adjustments.
Although SBU appeared to be in control with a 14-0 halftime lead after keeping Carolina bottled up after its opening 64-yard drive, the rain and wind made for unpredictable conditions that could cause a sudden turnaround. The Seawolves had 168 yards rushing by halftime, including 122 by Miguel Maysonet, but Priore saw something in the Chanticleers' defense he thought he could attack to get running back Brock Jackolski going.
"We changed the formation to a double-wing situation," Priore said. "We didn't practice it all week, but it was something we did at UTEP [in the season opener]. We ran two different plays out of it, and we also quick-huddled in the third quarter. That's not something we practice a lot, but it's a credit to the kids that they adjusted."
The double-wing formation essentially shifted an extra blocker to one side, which gave Jackolski the help he needed at the point of attack on the corner. Carolina failed to adjust at first, and when the Chanticleers did recognize what was going on, Priore had a play ready to go to the weak side of the formation.
Jackolski rushed for 131 of his career-high 193 yards in the second half, and Maysonet finished with 191 yards rushing. Overall, Stony Brook gained 446 yards on the ground, which was good because the Seawolves gained zero passing in the inclement conditions.
"We made an adjustment at halftime with the [offensive linemen] who were pulling on the outside plays, and it opened it up," said Jackolski.
Priore also devised a strategy for the weather for the punting game. Stony Brook's first punt came with the wind at its back, and Luke Allen boomed a 46-yarder. But in the second quarter when the Seawolves were backed up near the goal line and going against the wind, Priore inserted placekicker Wes Skiffington (pictured) to handle the punting.
Allen is the better punter, but he had some trouble early in the season handling snaps. "I know Skiffington catches the ball," Priore said. "So, I made the decision to use him whenever we were backed up in our end of the field."
It worked perfectly in contrast to Coastal Carolina punter Austin Cain who mishandled two snaps near his own goal line, leading to two Stony Brook TDs. On the first, Cain was tackled at his own 1-yard line, and Stony Brook defensive lineman Jonathan Coats blocked Cain's punt after he fumbled the second snap and then scooped it up and scored from the 2-yard line.
Skiffington's two punts were short ones, averaging only 25 yards into the wind, but the second would have gone further except that it hit a Stony Brook player and was ruled down about 15 yards shorter than it actually rolled. Skiffington credited long snapper Adam Nowak, saying, "Nowak puts the ball on the money, and I just concentrated on keeping my eye on the ball."
Skiffington lined up for one field-goal attempt in the second quarter, but it was botched when Nowak's snap was a little high and holder Josh Gibson couldn't get it down. "It was a fairly good snap," Skiffington said. "But it's tough for anybody to catch the ball in these conditions. They did a great job on the PATs all day. We just trusted the operation."
Skiffington was 6 for 6 on the kicks that Gibson got down after the snap, and that was a small miracle under difficult circumstances. But just as Priore and his staff adjusted to what they saw from Coastal Carolina, the Seawolves adjusted to what they were asked to do by their coaches and they handled the brutal weather conditions to extend their winning streak to five games.

STONY BROOK 42, Coastal Carolina 0 F VIDEO

Watch "Stony Brook Football vs. Coastal Carolina - Oct. 29, 2011" on YouTube

Maysonet, Jackolski lead Stony Brook past Coastal Carolina, 42-0

STONY BROOK, N.Y. - With a Nor'easter blasting the Northeast, the Stony Brook football team took to its patented rushing attack and ran with it. Convincingly. Senior Brock Jackolski (Shirley, N.Y.) and junior Miguel Maysonet (Riverhead, N.Y.) combined for 384 yards in the Seawolves' 42-0 win over Coastal Carolina.

Jackolski rushed for a career-high 193 yards and a touchdown. Maysonet, who ran for 193 yards and three touchdowns last season at Coastal Carolina, totaled 191 yards and three touchdowns. He became just the 10th player in Big South history with more than 2,000 yards on the ground and moved into third place all-time in Stony Brook history with 21 rushing touchdowns.

"Running the ball is what Stony Brook football is built upon," Maysonet said. "That's what we're good at."

Stony Brook (5-3, 3-0 Big South) is 3-0 to start conference play for a third straight season. The Seawolves, who are 16-4 all-time in Big South history, gained all 446 yards of total offense on the ground. SBU carried the ball 64 times, with Maysonet (26) and Jackolski combining for 48. Because of the high winds and wet weather, Stony Brook threw the ball only four times.

"I'm really proud of our guys for the way they approached the game," coach Chuck Priore said. "They made the adjustments with the way the weather played out. As for the running game, it's our philosophy. We believe we can win a championship that way."

276 of the 446 rushing yards came in the second half for Stony Brook, which entered the game seventh in FCS in rushing offense (251.14). Jackolski had 131 yards in the second half, including 96 in the second quarter.

"This was probably the worst conditions I've ever played in, but it's northeast football, you gotta love it," Jackolski said.

It was the most rushing yards ever allowed for Coastal Carolina, which gained only 73 yards on 51 plays. 64 of those yards came on its first drive of the game, which culminated in a missed field goal. Eight of the next 13 drives went three and out, and Coastal had two drives of just four plays.

Junior Wesley Skiffington (Brandon, Fla.) made all six of his extra points.

Junior defensive lineman Jonathan Coats (Elmira Heights, N.Y.) scored his second touchdown of the season in the third quarter. On fourth and 14 from the Coastal 28, Austin Cain moved to his right to try a rugby punt. After mishandling the snap, the punt was blocked by Coats, who eventually picked up the loose ball on the two for the score.

Redshirt freshman JeVahn Cruz (Wheatley Heights, N.Y.) scored on a 43-yard touchdown to cap the scoring. It was the second time this season that Cruz took his first handoff of the game for a score.

Sophomore Adam Nowak (Philadelphia, Pa.), the Seawolves' starting long snapper, recorded a fumble recovery for the second time this season.

Sophomore Grant Nakwaasah (Richardson, Texas) led the defense with nine tackles. Stony Brook had 13 tackles for loss.

Stony Brook is on the road for the next two weeks, taking on Charleston Southern on November 5 at 1:30 p.m.

Nathan to consider Mets in free agency (Newsday)

On a day when Joe Nathan affirmed his connection to Stony Brook University at the dedication ceremony for the $1.3 million baseball field that bears his name, the Twins' closer said the Mets "are going to be on my radar'' when the free-agent market opens to all teams Thursday. The Twins declined Nathan's option in the hope of negotiating a less expensive deal with the righthander, who missed all of 2010 because of Tommy John surgery. He returned in 2011 to record 14 saves with a 4.84 ERA, well above the 1.87 ERA he recorded in his six previous seasons with the Twins. He saved 246 games from 2004-09.
Nathan said he left on good terms with the Twins, but he made his plans clear to test the free-agent market.
The Mets have needed a closer ever since they traded Francisco Rodriguez to Milwaukee in July, and they might be a good fit for Nathan, who grew up in Pine Bush, N.Y. (Orange County). Asked if he would entertain an offer from the Mets, Nathan said, "We're definitely not counting any teams out. But obviously, the Mets are going to be on my radar. It's a team I followed growing up around this area. That would be exciting.''
Money generally is the deciding factor in free agency, but Nathan has other priorities as he approaches his 37th birthday on Nov. 22.
"The dollars are kind of on the back burner,'' he said. "It's all about winning right now. Where I'm at in my career, I just want to be on a club that has a chance to go to the postseason and have a chance to pitch in big games.''
As a four-time All-Star with 261 career saves, Nathan has pitched in plenty of big games on teams that reached the Division Series four times. He credits his success to the start he got at Stony Brook from 1992-95, returning later to complete his degree in business management.
At the dedication ceremony, which was held in a tent covering the home plate area during a driving rainstorm, SBU baseball coach Matt Senk recalled a similar rainy day in 1995 when a large group of pro scouts showed up to see Nathan, who played shortstop for Stony Brook, go through a pitching workout. The experience at Stony Brook, which made the NCAA playoffs for the first time in 1995 in Division III, was so meaningful to Nathan that he agreed to donate $500,000 toward the new baseball facility.
"I was here last year for an Alumni Day event,'' Nathan said. "We got to watch the last ballgame on the old field. That was pretty cool. This is my first time seeing this field. It just blew me away.''
Coming out of high school, Nathan wasn't much of a pro prospect. He arrived at Stony Brook as a shortstop who also could pitch. "I came here for the academics and to get an education,'' said Nathan, who was a two-time academic All-American. "Baseball just kind of worked out. They had the patience to allow me to build myself as a human being and a player, and I think that's what ultimately got me drafted and to move on and play professional baseball.''
Nathan was joined at the dedication by many of his college teammates, and he said he hopes future generations will experience the same camaraderie he did. "I wanted to be a part of this and to give these players and the players of the future the best opportunity to pursue their dream, whether it's baseball or anything they want to do in their life,'' he said. "I want them to have the greatest experience they can have while they're here.''

JOE NATHAN '97 HONORED AT FIELD DEDICATION

Joe Nathan '97 honored at field dedication - Stony Brook Official Athletic Site

STONY BROOK BASKETBALL MADNESS A SUCCESS!

Stony Brook hosts successful B-Ball Madness - Stony Brook Official Athletic Site

STONY BROOK BASKETBALL MADNESS TONIGHT 9:30 P.M.....

Stony Brook University students are invited to participate in the 2011 B-Ball Madness, the annual men's & women's basketball tip-off event, Thursday, Oct. 27 at Pritchard Gymnasium at 9:30 p.m. Admission is FREE!

Meet the 2011-12 Seawolves on both the men's & women's basketball teams, including men's head coach Steve Pikiell and women's head coach Beth O'Boyle.

The Stony Brook Pep Band, Dance, and Cheerleading teams will be performing. There will be giveaways of T-shirts and prizes, food, contests, and much more.

The men's & women's basketball teams are gearing up for the 2011-12 season. Both teams open the regular season on Nov. 11 as the men are at Indiana and the women are at Fairfield. The men's home opener is Sunday, Nov. 13 vs. Mount Ida at 2 p.m., and the women's home opener is Monday, Nov. 21 vs. George Mason at 7 p.m.

Season and individual game tickets for both teams are now on sale through the Stony Brook Athletics ticket office. Tickets can be purchased online at GoSeawolves.org/tickets, over the phone at (631) 632-WOLF or in person at the ticket office (Tuesday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) in the Indoor Sports Complex.

BREAKING: "THE WARRIOR" Former STONY BROOK WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYER, Kirsten Jeter signs pro contract in Germany (TSV Wasserburg)

Team Link



GOOD LUCK KIRSTEN!

STONY BROOK HALL OF FAMER JOE NATHAN '97 BECOMES FREE AGENT...TWINS DECLINE 12.5 MILLION OPTION FOR 2012

Twins decline Nathan's option | StarTribune.com

STONY BROOK WOMEN'S LACROSSE HAS NEW APPROACH

Lacrosse Magazine Headlines : New Team, New Approach For Stony Brook Women

STONY BROOK AND CABLEVISION REACH 11-GAME DEAL FOR BASKETBALL

Stony Brook University Athletics and Cablevision have announced a television partnership to broadcast 11 Seawolves basketball games during the 2011-12 season that will deliver action-packed Seawolves content to the entire Long Island community, Director of Athletics Jim Fiore released Tuesday. It is the largest single provider television package in the department’s history.

“We are thrilled and excited to form a partnership with Cablevision’s Optimum Local, which will give Seawolves Athletics unparalleled exposure in 2011-12,” Fiore said. “Stony Brook Athletics is synonymous with Long Island, and we are excited to deliver our talented teams to our fans across Nassau and Suffolk County. We have been focused on casting a wider net to connect with Seawolves fans and build our athletic brand, especially among our local community. This partnership demonstrates such a commitment.”

Stony Brook will produce its own broadcasts for men’s and women’s basketball and will use Internet technology to feed the production to Cablevision, airing on Channel 118, which is available to all Cablevision cable television customers across Long Island.

Cablevision, home of iO TV digital cable, Optimum Online and Optimum Voice, is Long Island’s largest telecommunications provider. Cablevision has a long history of providing locally relevant content to Long Island customers for more than 30 years most notably through News 12 Long Island, News 12 Traffic & Weather, MSG Varsity and its Local Programming efforts. The partnership with Stony Brook Athletics is just another example of Cablevision’s ongoing commitment to bring the best and most comprehensive local programming to its customers.

The first of the 11 basketball games will air on Cablevision’s Optimum Local Channel 118 on Wednesday, Dec. 7 when the men’s basketball team hosts Fairleigh Dickinson at Pritchard Gymnasium at 7 p.m. The first women’s basketball game will air the next day, Dec. 8, when the Seawolves play LIU at 7 p.m. On the call will be Carl Reuter and Rob Pavinelli, who both have a long history of calling Long Island sports and are current MSG Varsity broadcasters. Reuter previously served as the host of the weekly television show The Stony Brook Sports Report, and Pavinelli is the former head coach of the St. Dominic’s High School boys basketball team in Oyster Bay.

Stony Brook’s agreement with Cablevision will supplement what is already a vast Seawolves television package. Through affiliations with the America East and Big South conferences, at least 20 Seawolves football and men’s basketball games will be aired during the 2011-12 season, including at least two broadcasts on the ESPN family of networks, with the possibility of adding more. The full Stony Brook basketball television schedule will be released at a later date.

For more information on Stony Brook Athletics, please visit GoSeawolves.org and follow the Seawolves on Twitter at SBAthletics.

STONY BROOK FOOTBALL BEATS VMI 42-14

Final Stats

Video Highlights

Lexington, Va. - Junior Kyle Essington (Chino Hills, Calif.) threw for 255 yards and two touchdowns, and Stony Brook's defense allowed only 267 yards of total offense in the Seawolves' 42-14 win over VMI on Saturday at Foster Stadium.
Essington, who recorded his fourth rushing touchdown of the season, completed 18 of 23 passes, eight to junior Kevin Norrell (Los Angeles, Calif.), who totaled 129 yards and a touchdown. Norrell has caught 16 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns in the last three games.
The defense forced five three-and-outs, allowed just three drives to go longer than five plays and only gave up two big plays. Stony Brook also forced VMI to punt 11 times.
"We played a solid first half," coach Chuck Priore said. "Our defense and special teams keyed us early, and then we turned it on offensively in the second half. We moved our tight ends to take them out of their blitzes, and that allowed Kyle to be effective out of the pocket."
The Seawolves (4-3, 2-0 Big South) scored 21 points in the third quarter and 35 of their 42 in the second half. Of the 483 yards of total offense, Stony Brook totaled 220 yards in the third quarter and 383 yards in the second half.
Stony Brook scored on four of its five third-quarter possessions and five of six to start the second half.
Essington found Norrell for a 31-yard touchdown to give Stony Brook a 14-0 lead. After a three and out from VMI, the Seawolves drove 70 yards in five plays, capped by a seven-yard run from senior Brock Jackolski (Shirley, N.Y.). On the ensuing kick-off, sophomore Jawara Dudley (Roosevelt, N.Y.) leveled VMI's Tracy Hairston, who fumbled. Sophomore Grant Nakwaasah (Richardson, Texas) recovered the loose ball, and ran it 29 yards for the touchdown and a 28-0 lead. It was the Seawolves' second fumble recovery for a touchdown this season. Stony Brook led by as many as 35, 42-7, after junior Miguel Maysonet (Riverhead, N.Y.) scampered 60 yards for his team-leading sixth rushing touchdown of the season. Maysonet finished the game with 141 yards on 15 carries.
With Stony Brook starting its final possession of the first half on its 49, Essington found Norrell for completions of 16 and 10 yards. On third and 10 from the 25, Essington found Brevi, who dragged a couple of defenders down to the two. Three plays later, Essington, who faked the give to Jackolski, rolled out to his left, stutter-stepped #99 Emilio Calvin and ran it in for the score.
Sophomore Junior Solice (Hackensack, N.J.) had four tackles, including a sack, to lead the defense. Seniors Andrew Nelson (Uniondale, N.Y.) and Roosevelt Kirk (Oakland, Calif.) also recorded sacks.

MARK THE DATE: JOE NATHAN FIELD DEDICATION DAY, Saturday, 10/29 10 a.m.

STONY BROOK MEN'S BASKETBALL to host Boston University on ESPNU, Friday, 1/27...9 p.m. tip



http://www.espnmediazone3.com/us/2011/10/18/2011-12hoopssked/

Newsday.com - College hoops scoops: Stony Brook building for tomorrow

By Marcus Henry
Having the overused cliche “NCAA-or-bust” mentality won’t cut it anymore among mid-major conferences in college basketball. No longer do coaches gear up for one big season and forsake the future.

Enter Stony Brook, which is less than two years removed from winning the American East title. The Seawolves, after a slow start in 2010-2011, made a fantastic run to the America East title game, falling just short of earning a NCAA Tournament berth.

The Seawolves, with all but one player returning from last season, are expected to do big things this season. But it’s not all about this season. Coach Steve Pikiell has received verbal commitments from several touted recruits for next season.

Carson Puriefoy, a senior point guard at Bishop Eustace Prep om New Jersey, announced his commitment to the Seawolves on Monday.

“As soon as I left [Stony Brook], I felt it was the place for me,” Puriefoy told the Camden Courier Post on Monday. “The coaching staff was great and I love the atmosphere and academic support I’ll get there.”

The 6-foot guard averaged 21.4 points per game last season. Puriefoy joins 6-7 Jameel Warney of Roselle Catholic High School in New Jersey and Ryan Burnett, a 6-3 guard from Benedictine HS in Va., who have both reportedly made verbal commitments to the Seawolves.

Burnett had drawn interest from VCU, Richmond and George Mason

Carson (Tre) Puriefoy joins Jameel Warney and Ryan Burnett and commits to Stony Brook

Wanting to make his college decision prior to the start of his final season at Bishop Eustace Prep, senior point guard Carson Puriefoy made a verbal commitment Monday morning to play his college basketball at Stony Brook University.A first team All-Courier-Post selection last winter, the Deptford resident narrowed down his final three schools to Stony Brook, Princeton and Vermont. He made an official visit to the New York campus located on Long Island’s north shore this past weekend.
“As soon as I left, I felt it was the place for me,” Puriefoy said. “The coaching staff was great and I love the atmosphere and academic support I’ll get there.”
Puriefoy said he’s interested in studying psychology with the possibility of law school after graduation.
The Seawolves play in the America East Conference and are under the direction of Steve Pikiell, who played at Connecticut.
“Being a former point guard, he’ll understand the bumps I’ll have to go through,” Puriefoy said.
Puriefoy expects to make an immediate contribution once he steps foot on campus.
“They have a senior point guard right now (Bryan Dougher), so there will be a spot to fill. I’ll fill it,” he said. “He’s been there for four years and started as a freshman. I’m basically going to come in and do the same thing.
“They’ve never been to the NCAA tournament. I’m thinking I can contribute to that if they don’t get in this year. I’m coming in with a great recruiting class and want to be a part of what they’re trying to do, which is getting to the tournament.”
At 6-foot, 165 pounds, Puriefoy averaged a team-leading 21.4 points per game last season. He scored a career-high 42 against Woodrow Wilson, which was also the top game in the region.
Bishop Eustace finished 21-7 overall last season and is expected to be among the region’s elite teams this year. The Crusaders open their schedule with Pennsauken on Dec. 16.
“I wanted to make my decision before the season started so I can focus on the season and maybe get a state championship,” Puriefoy said. “I want to help secure our legacy as a team at Bishop Eustace.”

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Stony Brook gains 679 yards in 55-6 win

By GREG LOGAN greg.logan@newsday.com
The battle of St. Anselm will be little noted and won't be long remembered in the annals of Stony Brook football. The Seawolves' 55-6 victory over the winless Division II school from New Hampshire and the gaudy 679 yards of total offense they ran up Saturday night at LaValle Stadium were expected.
But while it might have been little more than a glorified scrimmage, the rapid development of Stony Brook's passing game since Kyle Essington ascended to the starting quarterback role after Michael Coulter's season-ending knee injury is a sign the Seawolves (3-3, 1-0 Big South) are primed for a run at the Big South title and their first FCS playoff berth. The victory was their third in a row and provides momentum heading to the first of five straight conference games Saturday at VMI.
"We feel like we're on a big roll, and we're going to keep accelerating,'' said wide receiver Jordan Gush, who caught three passes for 67 yards and two touchdowns. "VMI is going to be a bigger challenge.''
Any Big South opponent would be a bigger challenge than the Hawks (0-6), who played gamely but were in over their heads. They rank 149th in rushing defense out of 152 Division II schools, and it showed big-time.
The Seawolves rolled up 404 yards rushing while rotating four tailbacks, including regulars Brock Jackolski (99 yards on 10 carries, two rushing touchdowns and a 90-yard kickoff return for a TD) and Miguel Maysonet (84 yards on 15 carries) and redshirt freshmen JeVahn Cruz (169 yards on 10 carries, two rushing TDs) and Davon Lawrence (62 yards on 10 carries). They might have hit the 500-yard rushing mark if not for 10 penalties totaling 123 yards.
But the most important numbers belonged to Essington, who completed 16 of 20 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns. That remarkable performance came on the heels of his four-TD passing game the previous week in his debut start against Presbyterian. If Essington continues to pressure defenses with his rollouts and the threat of his running ability, it will pose nightmarish problems for the Seawolves' Big South opponents.
It's a credit to Essington and the way coach Chuck Priore worked him into the mix while Coulter was struggling with his injury that the backup was fully prepared and able to elevate his game when his time arrived. "I have a lot of respect for Mike,'' Essington said. "It was so courageous of him to play with an injured knee. I stayed mentally ready. It's definitely been a great experience, especially in a non-conference game. It's been a nice transition, and everybody has been supportive.''
Essington did most of his damage in the first half, hitting 12 of 15 passes for 239 yards and second-quarter touchdowns of 25 and 29 yards to Gush and 16 yards to Matt Brevi. When Stony Brook was backed up at its 2-yard line in the first quarter, Essington threw a 40-yard pass to David Norrell to start a 98-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard run by Jackolski.
Explaining the effect that Essington's ability in the moving pocket has on the rest of the offense, Jackolski said, "Kyle is an awesome athlete with his running and passing. It's so hard for a defense to cover everything. It opens up the running game, and Miguel and I set up the passing game.''
Special teams also played a role in the rout. After St. Anselm scored its only touchdown on a 22-yard pass from Mike Pierce to Eric Feehan to open the third quarter, Jackolski responded with a 90-yard kickoff return in which he eluded the grasp of three different Hawks who got a hand on him.
It seems that not only Jackolski but all the Seawolves are hitting their stride at the right time.

Stony Brook football routs St. Anselm, 55-6.

Final Stats Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook's potent ground game rushed for 404 yards, and junior Kyle Essington threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Seawolves (3-3) to a 55-6 win over Division II St. Anselm (0-6) at LaValle Stadium on Saturday.
Redshirt freshman JeVahn Cruz (Wheatley Heights, N.Y.) ran for 169 yards on just 10 carries and two touchdowns. Senior Brock Jackolski (Shirley, N.Y.), who ran back a 90-yard kickoff for a touchdown, rushed for 96 yards and two touchdowns.

Cruz, who entered the game midway through the third quarter, took his first handoff 63 yards for the touchdown. He also had runs of 25, 32 and 19 yards.

Jackolski became just the ninth player in Big South history with 3,000 all-purpose yards in just 17 games at Stony Brook. Jackolski had 1,966 yards in 2010, and already has 1,161 this season. The 90-yard kick return for a touchdown was the second in his career for Stony Brook, which entered tonight's game fourth in FCS in kick return average (26.9).

Junior Miguel Maysonet (Riverhead, N.Y.) had 15 carries for 80 yards, and redshirt freshman Davon Lawrence (Central Islip, N.Y.) totaled 10 carries for 62 yards. Maysonet, Lawrence, Cruz and Jackolski combined for 45 carries and 402 yards (8.8 avg). Stony Brook was 12th in the nation in rushing offense (225 yards per game) entering this week.

Essington, who completed 16 of 20 passes, has thrown seven touchdowns in the last two games. Junior Jordan Gush (Dallas, Texas) caught two touchdown passes and finished with 67 receiving yards. Senior Matt Brevi (Tampa, Fla.), who was the recipient of two scores from Essington last week, hauled in four catches for 79 yards and a touchdown. Junior Kevin Norrell (Los Angeles, Calif.) led the Seawolves receiving corps with six catches and 95 yards.

Stony Brook, which won its third straight game, gained a season-high 679 yards of total offense. The Seawolves had 29 first downs. They scored in all four quarters for just the second time this season.

"I was real pleased with the preparation going into this game," coach Chuck Priore said. "I'm happy we were able to get a lot of guys the chance to play and rest some guys at the same time."

Stony Brook led 34-0 at halftime. St. Anselm drove 72 yards in seven plays to open up the second half. But the Hawks' excitement was short-lived. Jackolski took the ensuing kickoff down the right side for the score. "D.J. (Donald Porter) led me through the hole, and I took it from there," Jackolski said.

Sophomore Andres Trujillo (Miami, Fla.) led the Stony Brook defense with six tackles and a fumble recovery. Redshirt freshman Kevin Hauter (Moriches, N.Y.) and junior Jonathan Coats (Elmira Heights, N.Y.) each had a sack. Sophomore Davonte Anderson (Corona, Calif.) picked off his second pass of the season.
Stony Brook returns to Big South play next week at VMI at 1:30 p.m.

SBU's men's program a model for women's

By GREG LOGAN greg.logan@newsday.com
HARTFORD -- Taking over a 7-23 Stony Brook women's basketball program and putting it on a par with SBU's other high-profile sports is a daunting challenge, but if new coach Beth O'Boyle needs a blueprint, she knows she has a handy one available.
"I look at our job right now as rebuilding the program," O'Boyle said Thursday at America East media day. "It's probably very similar to what Steve did. I talk to him all the time, and their coaching staff has been a great resource for us."
O'Boyle was hired in April and hit the ground running. She made visits to freshman recruits Miranda Jenkins, Kellie Krueger and Natalie Myers to reassure them they still were wanted and then recruited two transfers, Brooklyn junior forward Jessica Previlon, who is eligible now, and sophomore forward Sabre Proctor, who must sit out a year after transferring from North Carolina A&T.
"Jess is going to be a really strong, athletic player that, hopefully, will help us on the boards and help us defensively," O'Boyle said. "Even though I took the job late, we wanted to see if we could at least get one post player."
The Seawolves lost leading scorer Kirsten Jeter to graduation, but four players with starting experience return, including second-leading scorer Sam Landers (9.2 points per game) at guard, center Destiny Jacobs (8.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg), guard Tamiel Murray and guard Misha Horsey, who missed last season with an injury.
The Seawolves were voted eighth in the nine-team America East preseason coaches' poll. O'Boyle's goal is to see how quickly she can turn them into a top-four program in the conference, and she believes she can do it, in part, by recruiting well on Long Island and in the New York metro area.
"There's quite a few Division I players that will come out of Long Island," O'Boyle said. "I think these next two recruiting classes will be very important for us."

With Brenton back, Pikiell has high hopes

By GREG LOGAN greg.logan@newsday.com

HARTFORD -- Whenever Stony Brook lost a close one last season, it was difficult for coach Steve Pikiell not to think about what might have been if only forward Tommy Brenton hadn't missed the season with a dislocated kneecap. Yet even with that and several other key injuries, the Seawolves reached the America East Tournament final and barely lost out on an NCAA bid when it fell to Boston University by two points.
So imagine how good Pikiell feels this season about a team that has Brenton back, 12 players with starting experience and the addition of junior college transfer Ron Bracey and freshman Scott King to boost the Seawolves' offensive production.
Stony Brook received three first-place votes and finished second to defending champion BU in the preseason coaches' poll, and Pikiell says his team is ready to challenge for the NCAA Tournament bid.
"I expect us to defend people and be one of the best rebounding teams in the conference,'' Pikiell said at the America East media day luncheon Thursday. "This year, we have to improve on the offensive end to make life a little bit easier, but having all of our weapons available is going to help us a great deal.
"I think this team should be competing for league titles again. Are we going to have a great weekend in March? I can't look down the road that far, but I like where our program is.''
Brenton still is rounding into basketball shape, but Pikiell said he got back in the swing in terms of handling contact on SBU's European tour in August, and he should be 100 percent by the time the Seawolves open the season Nov. 11 at Indiana.
Two seasons ago, the 6-5 Brenton led Stony Brook in rebounding and assists and was considered the top defender in the conference.
"He makes a huge difference for us,'' Pikiell said. "He brings a presence. I'm really excited to have him back.''
Although guard Bryan Dougher became Stony Brook's all-time leading three-point scorer and led the team with a 12.8 average, the Seawolves struggled to find other scorers much of the season. Down the stretch, wing man Leonard Hayes came on strong. Marcus Rouse provided an offensive spark off the bench and guards Dave Coley and Anthony Jackson gained valuable experience.
The Seawolves also return starting center Dallis Joyner and forwards Anthony Mayo, Eric McAlister and Al Rapier, all of whom made contributions. Now they add Bracey, a 6-5, 220-pound forward from Kellogg Community College in Michigan, where he averaged 23.8 points and 6.8 rebounds, and the 6-8 King, who has a three-point touch and a 39-inch vertical leap.
"Ron led us in scoring on our European trip and had no idea what we were doing, which was a great sign,'' Pikiell said. "He's strong and gives us a true three-man that can score in multiple ways, defend and handle the ball.''
The schedule is tough, with non-conference games at Indiana and Northwestern of the Big Ten, at Boston College of the ACC and against Rutgers of the Big East at Madison Square Garden, but Pikiell says the Seawolves are ready.

STONY BROOK - BOSTON, 2012 AMERICA EAST CHAMPIONSHIP?

Men's & women's hoops participate at America East Tip-Off Luncheon
Seawolves men picked second; women picked eighth.
The program included the announcement of the preseason polls and All-America East teams as well as speeches from new America East commissioner Amy Huchthausen, Connecticut Governor Dan Molloy and Newman's Own Foundation Board member Robert Patricelli.

The men's team has been picked to finish second in America East, as voted on by the league's nine head coaches. The Seawolves earned three first-place votes to finish with 56 points, behind only defending champion Boston University's six first-place votes and 62 points.

In addition, senior guard Bryan Dougher (Scotch Plains, N.J.) has been named to the preseason All-America East team after earning conference second team honors in each of the last two seasons.

Led by seventh-year head coach Steve Pikiell, the Seawolves return 12 letterwinners, more than any other America East team, including four starters, from last season's squad that went 15-17 overall and 8-8 in America East. Stony Brook was the No. 5 seed in the America East Championship, but plowed past higher-seeded Albany and Vermont to reach its first-ever America East Championship final, losing to champion Boston University by two points on the final play of the game. The men's team opens the season Nov. 11 at Indiana and plays its home opener Nov. 13 vs. Mount Ida.

The women's team, under first-year head coach Beth O'Boyle, has been picked to finish eighth in America East, as voted on by the league's nine head coaches. UMBC was selected the preseason favorite to win the 2011-12 America East title.

O'Boyle returns 10 letterwinners from last year's squad and welcomes five newcomers. The Seawolves open the season on Friday, Nov. 11 at Fairfield with the home opener coming against George Mason on Nov. 21.

The 2012 America East Championship will be held at the University of Hartford's Chase Family Arena. For the third straight season, the conference's men's and women's basketball championships will be held in a combined format.

Season and individual game tickets for the men's & women's basketball teams are now on sale through the Stony Brook Athletics Ticket Office. For more information visit the Seawolves ticket office online at www.goseawolves.org/tickets or call 631-632-WOLF.

Stony Brook wins in Essington's debut (Newsday)

Video Highlights

With 8:57 left in the third quarter, Kyle Essington knew he had to make a play. The quarterback put the ball up for a leaping Miguel Maysonet, who caught the ball despite being sandwiched between two Presbyterian defenders. The play looked like one that a seasoned veteran would make, not someone who was making his starting debut. "I just put the ball up and let the playmaker go get it," Essington said.

Essington made his first career start one to remember, throwing for four touchdowns and rushing for another as Stony Brook defeated Presbyterian College, 42-24, Saturday night in its Big South Conference opener at LaValle Stadium.

Essington was starting in place of Michael Coulter, who is out for the season with a torn ACL. The junior went 17-for-27 for 292 yards and four touchdowns.

Essington began making his impact on the opening drive of the game, going 3-for-3 through the air and scoring on an 18-yard bootleg through the middle of the Presbyterian defense.

After Presbyterian answered with a field goal, the junior signal-caller led his team on another scoring drive. This time, he hit senior wideout Matt Brevi on a play-action pass for a 44-yard touchdown. "The receivers and I were all on the same page," Essington said. "We really connected well tonight."

Both defenses held strong from that point on until Presbyterian's Michael Ruff broke free on an end-around for a 54-yard touchdown with 3:56 remaining in the second quarter.

Stony Brook was given one last chance to score at the end of the half, thanks to two defensive penalties as time expired. With no time left on the clock and a first down on the Presbyterian 40, Essington threw into the end zone, and Brevi came up with the ball for the improbable score. "Sometimes you just have to take a chance," Essington said.

Presbyterian came out strong to open the third quarter as Brandon Miley threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Ruff.

But a 44-yard return by Brock Jackolski then set up Essington's 22-yard touchdown strike to a leaping Maysonet. "Everybody normally makes fun of my hands," said Maysonet, who also rushed for 50 yards on 16 carries. "Kyle just put it up there and I went up and made a play."

After Presbyterian punted, Essington engineered an 80-yard drive that ended in a 1-yard touchdown dive by Jackolski. An interception by Stony Brook's Donald Porter gave the Seawolves the ball back, and Essington responded with a 42-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Norrell.

Presbyterian backup Ryan Singer threw a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, but the Blue Hose comeback failed as the Seawolves' defense held.

Brevi led the Seawolves with five catches for 126 yards and two scores. Jackolski was the team's leading rusher, carrying the ball 18 times for 135 yards and a touchdown.

Seawolves coach Chuck Priore said that the passing game helped early, when Presbyterian was able to shut down the Seawolves' rushing attack. "They're an athletic team, and they challenged us," Priore said. "But we were able to throw the ball efficiently, and we found a way to win."

Essington's five TDs lead Stony Brook past Presbyterian, 42-24

Final Stats
Stony Brook, N.Y. - In his first career start for Stony Brook, junior Kyle Essington (Chino Hills, Calif.) threw four touchdown passes and ran for another to lead the Seawolves (2-3, 1-0 Big South) to a 42-24 win over Presbyterian on Saturday night at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium.
Essington, who was 17 of 27 for 292 yards, threw touchdown passes of 44, 40, 22 and 42 yards. His 18-yard score was his third rushing touchdown of the season. "Coming off the bye week allowed us to get in some great work," said Essington, who made the start in relief of senior Michael Coulter, who is out for the season with a knee injury."
Two touchdowns were caught by senior Matt Brevi (Tampa, Fla.), who caught five passes for 126 yards. Brevi's second touchdown of the night occurred on the final play of the first half as time expired. "It's a play we work on in practice, and I felt like I could make the catch," Brevi said.
Juniors Kevin Norrell (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Miguel Maysonet (Riverhead, N.Y.) also caught touchdown passes. Senior Brock Jackolski (Shirley, N.Y.), who rushed for 130 yards, accounted for the other touchdown on a one-yard leap.
"Tonight was a real good victory for us," coach Chuck Priore said. "I thought we had a solid game plan which was executed well. Presbyterian challenged us with some different looks, but I thought we threw the ball efficiently and successfullyEssington completed his first five passes of the game, which helped Stony Brook to a 14-3 lead. Presbyerian (1-4, 0-1) cut the lead to 14-10 after Michael Ruff scored on a 54-yard run with 3:56 left in the second quarter.
After the Blue Hose turned the ball over on downs, the Seawolves took over on their 39 with 52 seconds left. On second and 19, Jackolski rushed for 10 yards, ending the half. But a 15-yard penalty gave the Seawolves an untimed down at the Presbyerian 45. Then Presbyterian was called for a second penalty with no time remaining, giving Stony Brook a second free play. Essington, with time in the pocket, threw the ball downfield with just Norrell and Brevi against four Presbyterian defenders on the goal line. Brevi leaped for the catch at the one, spun clockwise, and ran into the end zone for the score and a 21-10 lead at halftime.
Presbyterian scored on its first possession of the second half to make it a 21-17 game, but the Seawolves started to pull away. Stony Brook stopped Presbyterian on its next drive, forcing a three and out. Jackolski returned the punt 44 yards to the Blue Hose 22. Essington, on the first play, found Maysonet, who was covered by two defenders in the end zone but outjumped both, for the score.
Jackolski's one-yard score capped a 10-play, 80-yard drive, putting Stony Brook ahead 35-17 with 1:53 left in the third quarter.
Senior Donald Porter (Charles Town, W.Va.) intercepted Brandon Miley on the first play following the kickoff. Two plays later, Essington found Norrell, who ran down the right sideline for the score and a 14-point swing in just 29 seconds.
Junior Dan Mulrooney (Prospect, Conn.) had 10 tackles to lead the defense.
Stony Brook plays its final non-conference game of the season next Saturday against Division II St. Anselm at 6:00 p.m. (WUSB)

Newsday.com - Essington ready to step in at QB for STONY BROOK

 

October 6, 2011 by STEVEN MARCUS / steven.marcus@newsday.com

Stony Brook University quarterback Kyle Essington had most of fall camp to prepare for his starting role. It comes Saturday night when the Seawolves (1-3) host Presbyterian (1-3) in the first Big South Conference game for both teams.

With starter Michael Coulter trying to play through a torn ACL in his left knee, the 6-2, 185-pound Essington played in parts of the first four games.

"I was mentally preparing to lead this team,'' Essington said.

He may not have the experience of Coulter, but the junior will give the offense a new dimension: a mobile quarterback who will add to an already strong running game. He has rushed for two touchdowns and thrown for another.

"As far as personal strengths, I like to run the ball a lot, make plays happen with my feet,'' he said. "If the pocket happens to break down, I'd like to think that I can scramble, make something happen.''

The team is rallying around Essington. "Losing Coulter is going to be a big hit,'' said running back Miguel Maysonet, who has rushed for 542 yards and five touchdowns. "But Kyle is the right man to fill his shoes.''

Coach Chuck Priore feared that Coulter would not make it through the season, so he had Essington get ready early. "Kyle basically took 85 percent of the snaps from Aug. 8 until theUTEP game,'' Priore said of the Sept. 3 season opener in El Paso. "He has not played a whole game, has not had adversity in his face, but it's not like he just got here. We're happy that we have somebody else to put in the game that's been in the game.''

Stony Brook tied for the Big South title the previous two seasons but is trying for its first postseason berth. "We'd like to show the rest of the conference that we're here; we have a strong desire to get that conference championship,'' Essington said. "We don't want to share it this year.''

Essington comes from California and learned the quarterback position from his father, Randy, who played at Colorado and was the last selection in the 1984 NFL draft by the then-Los Angeles Raiders. That earned him the moniker Mr. Irrelevant, but he was super-relevant to his son. "My dad's been my biggest role model,'' he said. "I've lived for football since a very young age. He really showed me the ropes. I certainly could not be more proud than to have had a dad who got drafted into the NFL.''

STONY BROOK nominated in Best of Long Island competition

VOTE NOW

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook has been nominated in nine 'Best of Long Island' categories, according to the 2012 Long Island Press competition. Categories include Stony Brook's radio station, WUSB,  Best Mascot, Best Sports Program and Best LI University among others.

In the arts and entertainment category, Stony Brook's lovable mascot, Wolfie, has been nominated for Long Island's best mascot. The Stony Brook Film Festival was nominated in the Best Annual Event/Festival category, while the Staller Center was nominated in the categories of Best Concert Venue and Best Local Live Theater.

In the education segment, Dr. Samuel L. Stanley, Jr. was nominated for Best College President. Stony Brook Athletics was chosen as a nominee for Best College Sports Program, and the university as a whole was nominated for Best Long Island College or University.

Stony Brook University Medical Center was also nominated for Best Hospital in the health and wellness section.

Fans can vote for as many categories as they want and can cast a vote for each category once per day. Voting will remain open until Wednesday, December 15.

Every year from Oct. 1 to Dec. 15, voting is open for the Best of Long Island competition. During the 75-day window, everyone can vote for local stores, restaurants, businesses or people they feel should hold a 'Best of Long Island' title.

STONY BROOK WOMEN'S BASKETBALL BEGINS PRACTICE

An Inside Look at Stony Brook Women's Basketball: Strength & Conditioning - Stony Brook Official Athletic Site

STONY BROOK Men's basketball favored in preseason publications

The Stony Brook men's basketball team has received significant attention from multiple media outlets during the preseason as the 2011-12 regular season rapidly approaches. Many publications have picked the Seawolves atop the America East after the team came within two points of winning the league title last season.
The Sporting News College Basketball Preview magazine lists the Seawolves as the favorites to win America East and also named senior Bryan Dougher a preseason All-America East player, junior transfer Ron Bracey the conference's top newcomer and head coach Steve Pikiell the conference's top coach.
The Lindy's College Basketball Preview magazine also named Stony Brook the preseason favorite to win the league, selected Dougher as an All-Conference player and named junior Tommy Brenton the league's top rebounder.
In the CBSSports.com Conference Preview, Jeff Goodman has also picked the Seawolves as America East's top team and named Dougher to the All-Conference team.
Lastly, Lindy's College Basketball Preview magazine had the Seawolves second behind defending champion Boston University and named Brenton to the preseason All-Conference team.
The official America East preseason rankings and All-Conference team will be revealed on Thursday, Oct. 13 at the league's annual media day.
Pikiell, in his seventh season as the head coach, returns 12 letterwinners from last season's team that reached its first-ever America East Championship final and came within two points of winning the title. The Seawolves will open preseason practice Oct. 14 and will play their first game Nov. 11 at Indiana. The home schedule begins Nov. 13 against Mount Ida. Individual game and season tickets are now available through the Stony Brook Athletics ticket office. For more information, visit GoSeawolves.org/tickets or call (631) 632-WOLF.