Abreu lifts men's soccer to 1-0 overtime win

Final Stats
Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook men's soccer senior forward Raphael Abreu (New York, N.Y.) slammed home a goal 3:43 into overtime to lift the Seawolves to an exciting 1-0 win over Lehigh in their home opener at LaValle Stadium Friday night.

Coach Ryan Anatol's Reaction
"I thought it was a good performance by our guys. Our pressure was good and we created a lot of chances as a result of that. We knew we were wearing them down. We felt as though the more we continued to create chances that one would come and we finally got one in overtime."

Goal Recaps

• After a Seawolves throw-in, senior Leonardo Fernandes (North Babylon, N.Y.) played the ball about 40 yards away from the net. He passed to a streaking senior Kyle Schlesinger (Selden, N.Y.), who then passed to Abreu, who slipped through two defenders. Lehigh goalkeeper Ciaran Nugent tried to snatch the ball, but Abreu got to it and then had an open look at the net, burying the ball in the top left corner as his momentum drove him left.

The Numbers Game

• The goal was the fifth game-winner and 14th overall of Abreu's career.
• Junior goalkeeper Carlos Villa (Caracas, Venezuela) made six saves for his second clean sheet of the season.
• Stony Brook outshot Lehigh 14-10.
• Fernandes has posted at least one point in each of his last six regular season matches and eight of his last nine matches overall.
• Each team drew two yellow cards.

News & Notes

• The win was the first for Stony Brook in overtime since a 1-0 win over Hofstra on Sept. 1, 2010. Schelsinger scored the game-winner in that game with just 51 seconds remaining in the first overtime.
• The win is Stony Brook's first-ever over Lehigh. SB is now 1-1-1 against the Mountain Hawks all-time.
• Stony Brook and Lehigh battled to a scoreless draw last season in Bethlehem, Pa.
• Stony Brook is now 10-4-0 in home openers since becoming Div. I in 1999.

Up Next
Stony Brook (2-1-0) plays in the Kentucky Invitational next weekend, but will not face the host Wildcats. The Seawolves take on Charlotte, last season's NCAA Tournament runner-up, Friday at 4:30 p.m., and face Saint Joseph's Sunday at noon.

Stony Brook's Marcus Coker and his mom thrilled he's closer to home

By GREG LOGAN greg.logan@newsday.com

Iowa's Kinnick Stadium holds 70,585 fans, but during the past two seasons, Marcus Coker's biggest fan attended only three games. Now that one of the top running backs in the nation has transferred to Stony Brook, Coker's mother, Tammy Money, is thrilled that she can share every Saturday, including road games, in person with her "best friend."
The Seawolves don't always fill 8,000-seat LaValle Stadium, but Coker's addition should help attendance, if only because it's a mere 271-mile drive from his home in Beltsville, Md. "We're really excited for Saturday," Money said of Stony Brook's 6 p.m. opener against Central Connecticut State. "I'm not sure if Stony Brook realizes what they've got coming because half the state of Maryland is coming.
"I know at least 25, 30 people who have confirmed that they'll be there -- family, long-time friends and coaches who coached Marcus in youth ball and high school. Marcus has a lot of people that back him."
When Coker transferred in January from Iowa, where he finished second in Big Ten rushing with 1,384 yards and had 15 touchdowns last season, he had a wide range of options, including Big 12 favorite Oklahoma. He chose Stony Brook for its combination of quality academics and athletics and its proximity to home.
Coker, who has two years of eligibility left, won't have to sit out a year because he's moving from an FBS school to an FCS school. He'll team with running back Miguel Maysonet, the Big South preseason offensive player of the year, as the Seawolves contend for the FCS national title.
Coker now makes frequent visits home. He surprised his mother by showing up just before midnight last Friday for her birthday the next day.
"It's the world to me," Coker said. "That was the first time I've been home for her birthday in it seemed like forever. That was probably the ultimate birthday gift for her. She's my best friend, so being able to see her whenever I want is really nice."
Coker previously acknowledged that his transfer was related, in part, to Iowa's decision to suspend him on Dec. 20 for the school's appearance in the Insight Bowl because of a violation of the student-athlete code of conduct. It later was reported by the Iowa City Press-Citizen that Coker was investigated for an allegation of sexual assault against him Oct. 28. Police said the case was closed because the alleged victim declined to press charges.
But Money said her son considered transferring earlier to be closer to home. Coker's parents divorced when he was 4 years old, and he admired his mother's dedicated work as a cardiovascular technician and a health caregiver. Money said Coker's family includes three "sisters": Mary, 65, Mona, 56, and Marilyn, 53, all of whom are mentally disabled.
"If anyone is a football fan, it's them," Money said. "We don't refer to them as [unrelated] individuals that live with us. They are our family, and they actually refer to Marcus as their little brother. When it came to Family Game in Iowa, Marcus called and asked every one of us to come, and we drove out [903 miles]."
Coker's deep involvement in community service activities stems from that personal experience. "They're my sisters," he said. "It just taught me always to be humble and to be grateful for what I have. They couldn't choose the way they were born. I'm simply blessed."
Money said her son "has always been a giver." At Iowa, Coker helped a teammate rebuild a church, and he befriended a 3-year-old boy he met who was awaiting a heart transplant.
"Marcus bought this young man Christmas gifts," Money said. "There's a picture of Marcus when he made one of his first touchdowns, and he puts his hands up in the shape of a heart for that young baby. People have no idea what a caring young man Marcus is."
While the move from the Big Ten to Stony Brook might be viewed as a step down by some, Coker and his mother see it as a step forward. "We are absolutely grateful for Stony Brook," Money said. "He just seems so happy there."
Anticipating his Stony Brook debut, Coker said, "I still remember that first day I stepped out at Kinnick, and I'm going to remember this day for the rest of my life, too. It will be a special moment."

Coming Soon: Stony Brook Football, Saturday, vs. CCSU, 5:45 p.m. pregame on WUSB

Stony Brook Football at a glance

By Steve Marcus, Newsday

Photo credit: Joseph D. Sullivan

Coach: Chuck Priore, seventh season (37-31).
Last year: 9-4, 6-0 Big South. Seawolves made their first appearance in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, beating Albany, 31-28, before losing to top-ranked Sam Houston State, 34-27.
Backfield in motion: That would be Big South offensive player of the year Miguel Maysonet and Iowa transfer Marcus Coker. Barring injury, mark each down for at least 1,000 yards. And do not expect a running back controversy. “Bottom line, we’re a running team, we’re going to get our share of carries,’’ Maysonet said. “It’s going to be like last year with Brock [Jackolski]; we both had well over a thousand yards.’’ Maysonet had 1,633, a school single- season record. Coker just wants to fit in.
“There’s not even expectations,’’ he said. “We’re all just going out there because everybody loves the game.’’
Key could be the D: While the offense may seem to run on automatic, the defensive line will need some help with co-captain Jonathan Coats the only returning starter. Victor Ochi, Dimitry Russ, Dante Allen, Kevin Hauter and Bryce Brantley will get an opportunity to show what they can do. Can Lester Simpson, who played junior college ball at Lackawanna and in the FBS at Minnesota before suffering an injury, come up big? Also intriguing is former Hofstra defensive back Greg Melendez, who has transferred from Idaho for his final year of eligibility.
Games to watch: at Syracuse Sept. 15; at Army Sept. 29. “Both teams are from New York,’’ Maysonet said. “We’d like to show we can play with them.’’ Key stat: Stony Brook led the FCS in scoring with 38.0 points per game.
What to expect: Some players are talking about a national title, but Priore is a bit more reserved, saying, “That’s not my gig. There’s so many factors that get involved that are not controllable by any of our players or anybody involved with this program.’’
The Seawolves are headed to the challenging Colonial Athletic Association next season but can’t coast in their final year in the Big South. A return trip to the FCS playoffs likely will require going undefeated in the one-bid conference. That will require beating Liberty on the road, something the Seawolves have yet to accomplish.
Steve Marcus Prediction: 9-2.
Greg Logan Prediction: 10-1

Stony Brook quarterback Kyle Essington had a good teacher - Steve Marcus, Newsday

It started with his father tossing him a football in the backyard of their home in Chino Hills, Calif. Kyle Essington, then a fifth-grader and now the star quarterback at Stony Brook University, initially thought nothing more of it than a chance to spend time with his dad, Randy.
Then it started to click. The way Randy handled the ball -- the grip, the spiral, the distance -- was like the quarterbacks Kyle saw when they watched college football on television.
Nothing in the Essington household advertised that Randy had been a premier college quarterback at Colorado who was drafted by the Super Bowl champion Raiders in 1984. "You know how kids are; they want to be like their dad,'' Randy said. "My whole life, I never had any memorabilia of me playing. I never wanted him to think it was everything in the world to me that he played football.''
So Dad never mentioned his football career. "I think Kyle overheard people conversing with Randy and I regarding Randy playing,'' said Julie Essington, Kyle's mom. "Kyle started asking questions. We said, 'It was wonderful. Your dad was drafted by the Raiders.' It made Kyle think, 'Wow, my dad was kind of a big deal.' ''
Or as Kyle said: "I realized that my dad was this awesome quarterback that I would look up to the rest of my life.''
The feeling is mutual. "When I played the game, I never ever felt the way I feel watching him play,'' Randy said. "My emotions are through the roof. I would rather do nothing in the world than watch him play.''
Randy got Kyle interested in the sport by coaching him in California's version of Pop Warner. "He was more focused on me, making sure I had fun. He didn't want to put that kind of pressure on me,'' Kyle said. "He didn't want me to feel like I had shoes to fill. I didn't feel like I had to, but I wanted to.''
Randy was the last player selected in the 1984 NFL draft, giving him the moniker "Mr. Irrelevant.'' But he has been anything but irrelevant in his son's athletic career, supporting him every step of the way.
After high school, Kyle hoped to play for Cal-Davis, but an anticipated offer fizzled. The quarterback attended junior college at the interestingly-named Mt. SAC -- Mt. San Antonio College -- in Walnut, Calif., where his dad said he took his lumps but was lauded as the scout-team QB. He transferred to Fullerton, and a successful year led to his recruitment by Stony Brook.
"We went to look at somebody else,'' coach Chuck Priore said. "Their offensive coordinator said, 'Take a peek at Kyle.' ''
The senior is perfect for Stony Brook's pro-style balanced offense, doing more than just handing off to heralded running backs Miguel Maysonet and Marcus Coker. He threw 20 TD passes last year. "Every play starts with him,'' offensive coordinator Jeff Behrman said. "He has to be able to make the correct decisions and continue to move the chains for us. He's a big denominator.''
Essington specializes in play- action. "I would see him mimic it in front of a mirror,'' his father said. "He has it down to the point where you didn't know if he has the ball or not.''
Essington stepped in early last year when two-year starter Michael Coulter was sidelined with a knee injury. "We knew what he could do,'' wide receiver Jordan Gush said of Essington, "so we knew there would be no drop-off. Everyone's keying on the run game so we're getting one-on-one coverage a lot, so that's a huge deal. With Adrian Coxson, Kevin Norrell and me, there's lots of weapons out there.''
Randy Essington is a general contractor and his wife works in the airline industry, which Julie said allows them to see Kyle's games. Randy was in Texas last December when Stony Brook lost to Sam Houston State, 34-27, in a Football Championship Subdivision second-round playoff game. Sam Houston went to the national championship game. That loss motivated Essington for this season, his father said.
"He told me after the game, 'Dad, this isn't going to happen again. I'm going to win this whole thing.' I said, 'I know you can.' ''

Men's soccer opens 2012 with convincing win over FDU

Final Stats

Teaneck, N.J. - The Stony Brook men's soccer team opened the 2012 season with a strong 5-0 win over Fairleigh Dickinson Friday night at University Stadium. Seniors Berian Gobeil Cruz (Montreal, Quebec), Antonio Crespi (North Babylon, N.Y.) and freshman Alejandro Fritz (Budapest, Hungary) scored goals for the Seawolves.
In addition to the three goals scored, the Seawolves also benefitted from two FDU own goals. The five goals match the program's Div. I record, last set on Sept. 11, 2005 against Philadelphia.

The match against Fairleigh Dickinson is a strong win for the Seawolves in what was the first of nine matches against teams that produced a 100 RPI or better in 2011.

"I thought our pressure was good tonight, and, as a result, we were able to create some good chances and score some good goals," Anatol said. "I think we have some room for improvement on our attack with regard to spacing and we need to continue to get better, but overall it was a good win and a good performance."

The Seawolves, who averaged 1.6 goals per game last season, quickly showed off their offensive firepower as Fritz connected on his first collegiate shot in the seventh minute of the match. He hit the ball to the bottom right corner of the net well past Knights goalkeeper Jacob Lissek to put SB on top 1-0.

The Knights threatened to tie, but Seawolves goalkeeper Carlos Villa (Caracas, Venezuela) made four first-half saves.

Stony Brook tacked on a second first-half goal in the 40th minute. First, senior Leonardo Fernandes (North Babylon, N.Y.) took a hard shot that Lissek stopped. SB maintained possession, and Gobeil Cruz took a pass from freshman Sverre Ofstad (Oppegaard, Norway) and slammed it into the right corner past Lissek for a 2-0 lead.

In the second half, Stony Brook stonewalled Fairleigh Dickinson's offense, allowing just four shots, none of which were on goal. Jack McVey came the closest to scoring, hitting the crossbar in the 61st minute.

Crespi made the score 3-0 when he took a pass from Fernandes while slipping past a defender and blasted it past Lissek.

Stony Brook added two own goals late in the match, thanks to great high ball pressure that forced FDU mistakes in the defensive zone.

The Seawolves finished the night with 16 shots, 13 of them on goal, led by Gobeil Cruz's four shots. Villa finished the night with four saves to earn his first clean sheet in an SB uniform.

Stony Brook will return to action Tuesday afternoon at Villanova at 4 p.m.

Nothing Boring about Tissenbaum's Year

Story by Grant Gurewitz, Media Relations Director, Emerald Otters


Trip to Omaha. Major League Draft pick. Two life-long dreams for a baseball player, completed in the same year by Maxx Tissenbaum. As a part of the 2012 Stony Brook Seawolves team, he helped the team defy a

"Each of the streets leading away from the park is named after one of the teams" The team hotel was located on Seawolves Avenue.

While playing in the Super Regional at LSU, Tissenbaum learned that he had been drafted by the Padres in the 11th round of the MLB Draft. "I got the call from (scout) Jim Bretz that I was going to be with the Padres." Being drafted surely gave the All-America East first team member an adrenaline rush-enough to propel Stony Brook to a Super Regional win in Baton Rouge.

To get to the Super Regional, Stony Brook had to get through the Coral Gables Regional hosted by University of Central Florida. Tissenbaum's current teammates, Ronnie Richardson and Roman Madrid, played for the Knights, but they all had not been drafted yet to know they would be in the same organization within weeks.

Though the Seawolves could not win the college title, the players knew their accomplishment. "It would have been nice to win, but it has a great impact on the program, our careers, our lives outside of baseball and the school," said Tissenbaum. "Looking back, this is going to be one of the greatest teams at Stony Brook ever."

After the great playoff run, the New York Mets invited the team to watch batting practice at Citi Field. "It was nice to talk to a lot of the big leaguers," said Tissenbaum. "At that point I had been drafted so I was picturing myself five years or so down the line, saying yeah I can do this. This can be my life."

After a short break, Tissenbaum reported to Padres camp in Arizona and played one game with the Arizona League team before heading to Eugene to play for the Emeralds. For the kid who went to school in New York and grew up in Toronto, Oregon is a long way from home.

"I have gotten a lot of phone calls and texts saying people have really messed up their sleeping habits trying to listen to my games." It is a role-reversal for Tissenbaum who used to stay up late to watch Toronto Blue Jays games when they played at 10 pm ET, while on the west coast. Tissenbaum now is that late west coast game.

Life in professional baseball is quite different to that of the past for Tissenbaum. "I have been used to having a pretty similar core group of guys." That is not the case in Minor League Baseball as one day the locker next to him will be for one player and the next day another. "It started to hit me that this really is a job," said Tissenbaum. "It really keeps you honest in what you are doing."

"You do not want to be the guy who gets the tap on the shoulder saying you are heading down to the 130 degree heat in Arizona," is what keeps Tissenbaum driven. "You are doing everything you can to either stay here or keep moving forward."

Going through the College World Series helped Tissenbaum to handle the pressure and added attention. After having a rough summer season last year he was pretty down on himself. "As nice as it is to have scouts and coaches all over your team, it is really just a distraction." As Tissenbaum puts it, "The only thing that matters is how you play the game."

One thing that has been constant in a year of movement, transition and excitement is how much Tissenbaum is active with his fans. It started with his mother wanting him to log his experiences and has now branched into a blog read by many. "I have been getting Facebook messages, Tweets from kids, college players, friends and family saying they like the insight."

"It is nice to be able to give that back, since when I was growing up, I was always the little kid hanging around the bigger teams field," said Tissenbaum. "To be in this position now, it is pretty rewarding for me."

Since joining the Ems, Tissenbaum has been a constant fixture in the middle of the order playing second base. Manager Pat Murphy has been preaching a "boring" approach at the plate. Being boring at the plate is translated to staying short and compact to the ball while hitting line drives up the middle.

"If you can do that, not only are your numbers going to be there, but as you develop physically then the power will develop," says Tissenbaum who has been anything but boring at the plate. Heading into Wednesday Tissenbaum is batting .274 and third on the team with runs batted in.

"I am not going to be a 15-20 home run guy, right now," according to Tissenbaum. "I have to focus on staying boring."

President Stanley addresses the Stony Brook Football team on Tuesday

Women's Basketball announces 2012-13 non conference schedule

Stony Brook, N.Y. - A matchup with BIG EAST power Rutgers and five home games at Pritchard Gymnasium highlight the Stony Brook women's basketball 2012-13 non-conference schedule announced by second-year head coach Beth O'Boyleon Wednesday. The Seawolves will play four teams that advanced to postseason competition last season.

I'm very excited about the competiveness of the schedule we've put together for the upcoming season," O'Boyle said. "These [non-conference] games are important in order to prepare us for conference play. We're looking forward to the challenge and excited to get the season underway."

SB kicks off the season with two straight home games, opening against Rider on Friday, Nov. 9 before welcoming two-time defending Patriot League champion Navy to Pritchard two days later.

O'Boyle and the Seawolves then embark on a four-game road trip which includes matchups with Morgan State (Nov. 18), Robert Morris (Nov. 28) and Youngstown State (Nov. 30), all whom Stony Brook defeated last season.

Squeezed in the middle of the trip is a date with NJIT in Newark Nov. 25. Robert Morris went 18-14 and received an invitation to the Women's Basketball Invitational (WBI) in 2011-12.

Following the road trip, SB plays three of its next four games at home beginning with Sacred Heart on Dec. 4. The Pioneers won 25 games a season ago and also advanced to the WBI.

Fairleigh Dickinson (Dec. 11) and Saint Peter's (Dec. 15) then visit Pritchard following a short trip to the Bronx to take on Fordham (Dec. 8).

Stony Brook travels to Piscataway to face Rutgers for the first time in school history on Dec. 21. The Scarlet Knights went 22-10 last season and advanced to the NCAA tournament for the 10th straight season.

The Seawolves conclude the non-conference schedule with a home date against Iona on Dec. 30.

The 16-game conference slate begins in January 2013, culminating in Albany with the America East Championship from March 8-10. The conference schedule will be released at a later date.






Ticket information for all 14 home games at Pritchard Gymnasium will be forthcoming in the next few weeks.
2012-13 Stony Brook Women's Basketball Non-Conference Schedule

Date Opponent Time
NOVEMBER
Fri. 9 RIDER 7 p.m.
Sun. 11 NAVY 6:30 p.m.
Sun. 18 at Morgan State 2 p.m.
Sun. 25 at NJIT 2 p.m.
Wed. 28 at Robert Morris TBA
Fri. 30 at Youngstown St. TBA
DECEMBER
Tues. 4 SACRED HEART 7 p.m.
Sat. 8 at Fordham 2 p.m.
Tue. 11 FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON 7 p.m.
Sat. 15 SAINT PETER'S 2 p.m.
Wed. 19 at St. Francis (N.Y.) 7 p.m.
Fri. 21 at Rutgers TBA
Sun. 30 IONA 2 p.m.

Stony Brook Men's Basketball releases 2012-13 non-conference schedule

Stony Brook, N.Y. - The Stony Brook men's basketball team will play a nationally televised 6 a.m. game, host four opponents at Pritchard Gymnasium and play at three of college basketball's more storied programs to headline a 13-game, 2012-13 non-conference schedule, head coach Steve Pikiell announced Tuesday. Stony Brook will play at 2011 NCAA national champion Connecticut of the BIG EAST on Nov. 25, at 2002 NCAA national champion Maryland of the ACC on Dec. 21 and at Seton Hall of the BIG EAST on Dec. 28.

Previously announced in July, the Seawolves' most visible non-conference game will be a Nov. 13, 6 a.m., showdown at Rider that will be nationally televised on ESPN as part of the College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon.

"Our non-conference schedule will most certainly challenge our student-athletes and prepare them for our conference schedule and for the America East Championship," Pikiell said. "I'm excited that our kids will get the opportunity to play on ESPN in a unique and exciting event, and I'm excited that they will play some of the best in college basketball in UConn, Maryland and Seton Hall."

Stony Brook will open the 2012-13 season at home against Mount Ida on Nov. 11. The Seawolves will be carrying a 14-game Pritchard Gymnasium winning streak into the game with the Mustangs.

Two days later, the Seawolves will play Rider in the College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon, looking for the same result as their last appearance in the event. Two years ago, Stony Brook topped Monmouth in the 6 a.m. game that was broadcast to over 100 million homes in the United States.

After a Nov. 15 game at Fairleigh Dickinson, the Seawolves return home for a Nov. 18 matchup with Sacred Heart in the first of a season home-and-home battle with the Pioneers.

In a unique weekend that mirrors tournament action, Stony Brook will play back-to-back games Thanksgiving weekend. On Nov. 24, the Seawolves host Canisius and then play at Connecticut the following day, Nov. 25. The matchup with the Huskies will reunite Pikiell with his alma mater and former coach Jim Calhoun. The game will be played either on campus in Storrs, Conn., or in Hartford at the XL Center.

After closing out November at Cornell (Nov. 28), the Seawolves will host Eastern Illinois on Dec. 1 in a return game from last season's matchup that took place in Charleston, Ill.

Stony Brook will then play a pair of local teams as it faces St. Francis (NY) in Brooklyn on Dec. 11 and then closes out the Sacred Heart home-and-home in Fairfield, Conn., on Dec. 18. The matchup with St. Francis will be just the second all-time and first since 1999 between two teams that are separated by less than 60 miles.

Just before winter break, the Seawolves will head to College Park, Md., to face the Terrapins for first time since 2000. The Dec. 21 game will be SB's first-ever appearance in the 18,000-seat Comcast Center.

The following week, Stony Brook will head to Newark's Prudential Center to face Seton Hall (Dec. 28) for the second time this calendar year. In the first round of the postseason NIT this past March, the Seawolves came within a basket of beating the Pirates on their home court.

The Seawolves close out the non-conference schedule on New Year's Day, Jan. 1, at Manhattan in a return game from the 2011 ESPN BracketBusters event.

Stony Brook, in Pikiell's eighth season as head coach, returns nine letterwinners and one redshirt freshman from last season's team that won the America East regular season championship and advanced to the postseason NIT for the second time in three seasons. The program has won 20+ games in two of the last three seasons and has produced a .500 or better America East record in each of the last four seasons.

Ticket information and the America East conference schedule will be forthcoming over the next few weeks.






2012-13 Stony Brook Men's Basketball Non-Conference Schedule
Date Opponent Time
NOVEMBER
Sat. 11 MOUNT IDA 4 p.m.
Tue. 13 at Rider (ESPN) 6 a.m.
Thu. 15 at Fairleigh Dickinson 7 p.m.
Sun. 18 SACRED HEART 2 p.m.
Sat. 24 CANISIUS 2 p.m.
Sun. 25 at Connecticut TBA
DECEMBER
Sat. 1 EASTERN ILLINOIS 2 p.m.
Tue. 11 at St. Francis (NY) 7 p.m.
Tue. 18 at Sacred Heart TBA
Fri. 21 at Maryland TBA
Fri. 28 at Seton Hall TBA
JANUARY
Tue. 1 at Manhattan 4 p.m.

Stony Brook Football to appear on TV five times

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Five Stony Brook football games will be televised this season, it was recently announced. Each of the Seawolves' five road games will be shown across four different networks.

The game at Syracuse will be picked up by SNY on September 15. On September 22, the Seawolves will face Army before a nationally televised audience on the CBS Sports Network.

ESPN3 will broadcast Stony Brook's games at Coastal Carolina and Presbyterian, and MASN will show the season finale at Liberty.

Season tickets for Stony Brook football games start at only $66. To purchase tickets, visit GoSeawolves.org or call (631) 632-WOLF.

Danny Carter is back in a Rockets vest

Rockets are thrilled to announce the return of Danny Carter, who Rockets die-hard fans will recognise from four years ago. The 6'9 forward is a product of the Rockets junior programme and has spent the last four years in the United States of America playing for Stonybrook (Seawolves) University in the NCAA. Carter first started playing basketball for the club at the age of 13 under former Rockets player and coach, Lloyd Gardner. He quickly made his way up through the ranks under the leadership of Rockets Director of Coaching Matt Johnson where he played and won trophies for the club's Under 18s and EBL Division One team. Before he left to embark on his journey to the USA, the then 19 year old was voted the club's most valuable player (MVP) as he led the team in scoring and rebounding averaging 22.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game in 2007-08. He also earned England's U-18 National Player of the Year honours in 2007 and was named MVP of the Sure Shot Cup Final and RAF Final Four, scoring 37 and 35 points in back-to-back games.

The 23 year old had much success during his time overseas with his final season being the most successful time of his career. His highlights included playing in all 32 games, making 28 starts. He was ranked third on the team in rebounds (127) and blocks (11) and fourth in three-pointers made (24). Carter produced his first career double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds vs. Wagner and scored 13 points at Columbia. He had 10 points and a career-high three steals in a 54-53 win at Holy Cross as well as putting up 12 points and three assists in Stony Brook's 71-69 overtime win against Maine in front of a sold-out Stony Brook Arena crowd. The 6'9 forward also tied a season high with 14 points in the 79-73 overtime win at Hartford back in February of this year.

Rockets Director of Coaching Matt Johnson is delighted to secure the services of Carter and he feels the versatile forward will fit straight into Coach Nuruzade's team without any issues. He said, "I am thrilled that Danny will be putting on a Rockets jersey again as he is a great young English talent and most importantly a product of our junior system. He brings excellent scoring and rebounding qualities as well as a great work ethic and a desire to win, something that is going to be really important for this team. I believe he will be a really good fit for our unit and I look forward to seeing him slot in and make the contribution that is asked of him. Having him play alongside Lohf (Ryan Lohfink) should be tough for any opposition and they should really complement each other in what they bring to the floor so we are very pleased to have him come back to play for the club he grew up with."

Rockets will be announcing further new signings and re-signings in due course as the team prepares to embark on a tough pre-season campaign which tips-off in only three weeks time! The Berkshire outfit's first pre-season game will be against regular opponents Team USA Select as the Rockets welcome Sean Kilmartin and his crew to Rivermead Leisure Complex on Sunday 9th September (4pm tip-off).

Joe Pennucci promoted to associate head coach

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook head baseball coach Matt Senk announced on Thursday that assistant coach Joe Pennucci has been promoted to associate head coach. Pennucci recently completed his sixth season on the Seawolves staff.The Seawolves recruiting coordinator, Pennucci has been instrumental in the program's success since his arrival. Stony Brook has been to three NCAA Regionals in his tenure including this year's memorable run to the College World Series when SB won a school record and NCAA-best 52 games.Pennucci has shown that he can recruit and help develop players who can play at the next level as Stony Brook had a record seven players taken in the 2012 MLB Draft including the program's first-ever first-round selection in Travis Jankowski.Over his six years at Stony Brook, the Seawolves have had a national player of the year, six All-Americans, and five freshman All-Americans. Stony Brook has also taken home a combined eight America East Player, Pitcher and Rookie of the Year awards.In addition to his duties as recruiting coordinator, Pennucci works with hitters and is responsible for overall team defense. This past season the Seawolves ranked in the top 10 in the nation in nine offensive categories including batting average, scoring and hits and were 10th in fielding percentage after leading the country in the category in 2011."Joe is very deserving of this promotion," Senk said. "He has done an outstanding job in all areas of our program especially working with our position players and recruiting. As our recruiting coordinator, Joe has brought in some exceptional student-athletes, highlighted by Travis Jankowski being Stony Brook's first-ever first-round pick [in the MLB Draft]. I couldn't be more excited for Joe, his family and our program."
Prior to his time at Stony Brook, he served as the associate head baseball coach and recruiting coordinator for the Dominican College Chargers in Orangeburg, N.Y. for two seasons.
The Chargers won two conference championships and received an NCAA Regional bid in 2006 after posting a 42-19 record. Pennucci helped the Chargers win 69 games in two seasons.Pennucci started his college playing career at Garden City Community College in Kansas. After one season at GCCC he played three seasons at Dana College in Blair, Neb. where he was an all-conference catcher.He graduated with a psychology degree from the University of Northern Colorado and earned his Masters of Arts liberal studies from Stony Brook University.

Lizards' Joe Spallina (SBU WLAX HC) Named Brine Coach of the Year

BOSTON, Mass.– Major League Lacrosse, the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league, announced Wednesday that Long Island Lizards Coach Joe Spallina has been named as the 2012 Brine MLL Coach of the Year, according to MLL Commissioner David Gross. The award was based on the votes submitted by the head coaches and general manager of each of the League’s eight teams.
"It’s a tremendous honor. This is the highest level of the sport that we all love, so I’m tremendously humbled. Our team dealt with a different kind of hand and dealt with adversity and guys deciding not to play or being injured, but that's a tribute to the character of guys we have who share the same vision that I had of restructuring and getting to the top level," said Spallina.
“We have a good group and the right mix of veterans and a very young team. A large part of our success has to do with rookies hitting the ground running and the way our veterans welcomed those guys in and made them feel part of it."
In his first season as the Lizards’ leader, Spallina led the Lizards to an 8-6 record and the fourth seed in the 2012 MLL Championship Weekend presented by Warrior. After opening the season with back-to-back losses, the Lizards recovered to win five straight games, including four victories away from James M. Shuart Stadium.
With Spallina at the helm, the Lizards led the MLL by allowing just eight two-point goals while ranking fourth in the MLL by scoring 165 goals.
The Lizards also had two of the top-scoring rookies in the MLL this season. While attackman Matt Gibson led all rookies with 31 points, rookie attackman Tommy Palasek led all MLL rookies with 22 goals and ranked fifth on the team with 27 points.
Spallina, who took over for long-time Coach Jim Mulé, joined the Lizards after becoming the Head Women's Lacrosse Coach at Stony Brook University after a four-year stint as the head women’s lacrosse coach at Adelphi University. He posted a 73-2 record with Adelphi and guided the Panthers to three consecutive NCAA Division II championships.
“Like Brine, Coach Spallina blends innovation with hard work, integrity, leadership and teamwork to create a leading lacrosse product,” said Dave Dixon, Brine Chief Marketing Officer. “Brine congratulates Coach Spallina and the Long Island Lizards on an outstanding season and wishes them the best of luck in the playoffs.”
The MLL Championship Weekend presented by Warrior will be held on August 25 and 26 at Harvard Stadium. The top-seeded Denver Outlaws will face the fourth-seeded Long Island Lizards in the first semi-final at 1 p.m. before the second-seeded Chesapeake Bayhawks will play against the defending MLL champion Boston Cannons, who earned the third seed, in the second semi-final at approximately 4 p.m.
The two semi-final winners will play in the championship game on Sunday, August 26 at 3 p.m. Tickets for the 2012 MLL Championship Weekend are available through Ticketmaster or by clicking here.

2012 Stony Brook Football - Video Promo

Stony Brook Men's soccer picked to win America East in preseason poll

The Stony Brook men's soccer team has been selected to win the America East in 2012 according to the preseason head coaches poll, the conference announced Wednesday.

Stony Brook earned six out of a possible seven first-place votes to post 48 points. Coaches cannot vote for their own team. Following the Seawolves are Boston University (43), Hartford (32), UMBC (31), Vermont (22), Albany and Binghamton (17) and New Hampshire (14).

Stony Brook is coming off its second America East Championship title in the last three seasons and third overall. The Seawolves finished in second place in the conference during the regular season with a 4-2-1 record and then defeated Albany and Hartford en route to the tournament crown.

The Seawolves, under second-year head coach Ryan Anatol, return 13 letterwinners, including seven starters, from last season's team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Stony Brook opens the 2012 campaign at Fairleigh Dickinson on Aug. 24 and hosts Lehigh its home opener on Aug. 31 at 7 p.m.

O'Boyle names Herring as Director of Basketball Operations

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook University head women's basketball coach Beth O'Boyle announced today the hiring of Christina Herring as Director of Basketball Operations. Herring was a four-year letter-winner at Lewis & Clark College."We are excited about the addition of Christina to our staff," O'Boyle said. "She excelled as a student-athlete and her knowledge of the game, ability to communicate and leadership qualities will make her invaluable to our program."A second team all-conference performer as a senior, Herring led Lewis & Clark to its first trip to the NCAA DIII National Tournament. The Pioneers also earned a share of their first ever Northwest Conference regular title and won over 20 games for the first time since 1994.Herring led the team in assists in each of her final two seasons and appeared in over 100 games in her four-year career, making 78 starts.A team captain as a senior, she also served as Co-Chair of Lewis & Clark's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.Herring graduated from Lewis & Clark in 2011 with a degree in Communications.

Joe Nathan still excited for Stony Brook baseball - Newsday

Joe Nathan is the biggest name to come out of the Stony Brook baseball program. But after a historic run brought national recognition, that title may soon be in jeopardy.
"I think, sometime in the near future, I won't be one of the bigger names," Nathan said. "Hopefully there are some more guys that make a name for themselves and continue to do great things for that school and help out the program as much as we can."
Perhaps it will be a name like Travis Jankowski, one of the seven Seawolves drafted this year. Jankowski was selected by San Diego with the 44th pick to become the first player in program history to be drafted in the first round.
Nathan, the 37-year-old All-Star closer for the Texas Rangers, was in town this week for a four-game series against the Yankees. It was first return to New York since his alma mater made an unlikely run to the College World Series in June. The Seawolves' Cinderella story ended in Omaha, Neb., with losses to UCLA and Florida State. Two months later, Nathan reflected on Stony Brook's successful season.
"It was just really cool being able to follow them, being able to watch them, knowing how far they'd come," Nathan said at Yankee Stadium before Monday night's game. "It was no fluke for sure. I think they showed that they belonged there."
Nathan was selected by the Giants in the sixth round of the 1995 draft. He has 284 career saves and is a five-time All-Star. But he played shortstop at Stony Brook while the program was Division III. The Seawolves advanced to their first Division III Tournament in Nathan's final season. He knew at the time that the program was on the rise, but never imagined that Stony Brook would reach heights such as the College World Series.
"I don't think it was ever a thought to be honest," Nathan said. "As far as moving from D-III, I think we had a feeling that was going to happen. We were proving that we were definitely a step above the D-III schools we were playing. We had a feeling the program was going to move. We didn't know it would move so rapidly and get to where they are so quickly. I think that's what makes the story so special."
Nathan, who donated $500,000 in 2008 for the construction of what is now Joe Nathan Field at Stony Brook, said he wouldn't have time to visit the Stony Brook during his stay in New York, but did see Stony Brook head coach Matt Senk recently. Both were in Boston last week, Nathan to play the Red Sox and Senk to attend a baseball clinic.
"It was very cool seeing him for the first time since the run," Nathan said.
Nathan, who has 23 saves and a 2.78 ERA this season, was asked what Stony Brook's run will do for the program moving forward. He recalled a game in Los Angeles against the Angels last month when two fans came down near the field during batting practice to tell him that they will be going to Stony Brook.
"I think that speaks volumes to have guys from the West Coast heading to play baseball in the Northeast," Nathan said. "So, obviously, it's done a lot for that program. I think the more times they do this, people are going to become believers. It lets people know that you don't have to go to the top schools to play this game and go further, beyond college. They can go to Stony Brook, get a great education, play at great facilities and be part of a successful program."
And start making a name for themselves.

Women's soccer gearing up for 2012 season

Stony Brook, N.Y. - With a new season on the horizon, the Stony Brook women's soccer team and head coach Sue Ryan are primed for a return to the upper-echelons of the America East Conference. Seventeen returning letterwinners join 12 newcomers as the team raises the curtain on the 2012 season Friday at Rhode Island.
Picked fifth in the America East preseason coaches' poll, the Seawolves are looking to rebound from an injury-riddled 2011 campaign and once again set their sights on competing for the conference crown. And if the squad's undefeated spring season (5-0-4 record) is any indication, the team is well on its way to reversing its fortunes for the upcoming year.
"Across the board, this is the deepest team we've had in some time," Ryan said. "The incoming players have really elevated our level of play and have pushed our returners to be better. We have several players at multiple positions that will compete for regular playing time due to the level of talent on this team."
Forwards

The attacking unit should be a strength for Stony Brook entering the 2012 campaign. Eight of the Seawolves' top nine scorers return from last season, including senior forward Taryn Schoenbeck (Newark, Del.) who tied for the team lead with three goals in 2011. Schoenbeck has seven goals and six assists (20 points) in her collegiate career and has scored at least three goals in each of the past two seasons.
The lineup will also be bolstered by the return of senior Colleen McKenna (Manorville, N.Y.), who will rejoin the team after missing last season due to injury, and junior Larissa Nysch (Dresher, Pa.) who led the squad with two assists last year. Returning letterwinners Eliza Mendoza (Fontana, Calif.), Queli Ornelas (Palm Harbor, Fla.) and Megan Rea (East Haven, Conn.) will also push for time up front in addition to providing depth and experience to the unit.

Stony Brook will also feature several new faces to the offensive fold in freshmen Raven Edwards (West Orange, N.J.), Sarah Darmanin (Miami, Fla.), Aley Leonardi (Kennebunkport, Maine) and Danielle Fuller (Staten Island, N.Y.). Edwards torched the nets at West Orange High School to the tune of 77 career goals, while Darmanin set a county record with 65 tallies in a single season for Gulliver Prep. A multi-sport athlete, Leonardi brings talent (24 goals as senior) and speed up top, while Fuller (65 career goals) will look to lend her versatility at the forward and midfield positions.

Midfield
The Seawolves' midfield will feature a talented blend of returning players and an infusion of new talent in 2012. Senior captain Sa'sha Kershaw (Baltimore, Md.), a second-team All-America East selection in 2011, will be one of the key cogs in Stony Brook's lineup once again after tying for the team lead with seven points last year. Sophomore Regan Bosnyak (West Hartford, Conn.) also returns and will pull the strings in the heart of the midfield. An All-Rookie selection in 2011, Bosnyak started 16 games as a freshman and recorded two goals.
Returners Shannon Grogan (Eastampton, N.J.) and Ericka Garufi (Milton, Mass.) will add additional experience and depth to the attacking midfield positions. Grogan appeared in 16 games in 2011 and registered one assist, while Garufi saw action in 12 matches and posted two shots on goal.
Freshman Tessa Devereaux (Fayetteville, N.Y.) will look to make an immediate impact on the starting lineup after a stellar career at Jamesville-DeWitt High School. Devereaux set the school's all-time scoring record with 103 goals and 42 assists in her career and was ranked the fifth-best high school talent in the state of New York by TopDrawerSoccer.com.
Fellow freshmen Lexi Clarke (Round Hill, Va.), Kristen Baker (Easley, S.C.) and Emily Murrer (Aptos, Calif.) will also bring their talents to the pitch in 2012. A terrific distributor, Clarke finished third in the state as a senior with 18 assists, while Baker and Murrer lend versatile presences with their ability to play in both attacking and defensive roles.
Defense
Stony Brook's defense boasts four returning letterwinners and three newcomers. In central defense, the Seawolves will be in good hands with juniors Ahriel Fernandez (East Haven, Conn.) and Julianne Palm (Stilwell, Kansas), who each started all 17 games last year. Junior Caitlin Pfeiffer (Holland, N.Y.) and sophomore Christina Casamassina (Farmingville, N.Y.) lend versatile presences to the outside back slots with the skill to push forward in support of the attack and also cover the wings defensively.
The backline will also be strenghtened by the addition of freshmen Meagan Hallworth (Simsbury, Conn.), Stella Norman (Castle Rock, Colo.) and Priscilla Wiggins (Princeton, N.J.). Hallworth will compete for time in central defense after captaining East Greenwich High School to the semifinals of the state championship as a senior. Norman helped guide Arapahoe High School to a second-place finish at the state championship as a sophomore, while Wiggins excelled at The George School as a multi-sport athlete.
Goalkeepers
The Seawolves will have great depth in net this year with three talented keepers competing for regular time. Junior Ashley Castanio (Oceanside, N.Y.) and sophomore Allyson Lambros (La Habra, Calif.) each saw action in two matches last year; Castanio led the team with a 1.69 GAA in 160 minutes of play.
Newcomer Danielle Singson (Deer Park, N.Y.) joins the team from Rider University where she started 19 games as a freshman and posted a 1.13 GAA. Singson posted an 8-5-2 record and was named MAAC Rookie of the Week three times for the Broncs.
Schedule
Highlighted by four contests against teams in the RPI top 100 from last year, the Seawolves will play nine matches at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium and will take on two teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2011 (Boston University and Army).
Four of the Seawolves' first five matches will be on the road, starting Friday at Rhode Island at 7 p.m. Stony Brook's home opener will be two days later against Temple, a Sunday afternoon affair with a 2 p.m. start time.
The Seawolves will then close out the month of August with road matches at Wagner on the 24th, St. John's on the 26th and defending Patriot League champion Army on the 31st.
Five of the team's seven September contests will be played at home, beginning with a duel against Yale on Sunday the 2nd at 2 p.m. A matchup against Big East foe Rutgers follows on Sept. 7, before the team opens a season-long, three-game homestand against Manhattan (9/14), Lehigh (9/16) and Loyola Md. (9/21).
Stony Brook's eight-game America East slate will commence on Sept. 27 with a road game against SUNY rival Albany, while the conference home-opener is set for Sept. 30 vs. Binghamton. The Seawolves will also face Vermont (10/4), Maine (10/11) and Hartford (10/21) at LaValle Stadium and will travel to defending conference champion Boston University (10/7), UMBC (10/14) and New Hampshire (10/18).
"We are very excited about our non-conference schedule," Ryan explained. "We're going to face some well-balanced competition with three teams in the RPI top 100 and two teams that went to the NCAA Tournament last year. It's always exciting playing against local rivals like St. John's and Rutgers from the Big East Conference. We believe the Northeast Region is stacked and this schedule will prepare us well for the rigors of the America East."

Fernandes named to Hermann Trophy Watch List

Fernandes is one of 42 nominees for collegiate soccer's highest award.

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Senior midfielder Leonardo Fernandes of the Stony Brook men's soccer team has been named to the Missouri Athletic Club's (MAC) Hermann Trophy Watch List for 2012, the organization announced Monday.

The MAC Hermann Trophy is the highest individual award in intercollegiate soccer, presented annually in January at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis. Fernandes is one of 42 men on the Watch List.

The list will be narrowed down by National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) members to 15 semifinalists by Nov. 29. Member coaches and fans will then vote for their top three choices, and the finalists will be announced Dec. 6. The winners will be announced at the MAC awards banquet on Jan. 11.

In his first three seasons, Fernandes has made a tremendous impact on Stony Brook soccer. He is the program's all-time leading Div. I goal scorer with 22, and he is fourth in assists (10) and second in points (54). He is a two-time America East Midfielder of the Year and first-team All-America East selection.

In 2011, Fernandes had nine goals and seven assists for 25 points and was a first-team NSCAA All-Northeast Region selection and was a finalist for BigAppleSoccer.com's Player of the Year.

Fernandes has been a part of two America East Championship winning teams at Stony Brook, and in 2011, he was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after scoring a conference-record five points (two goals, one assist) in the title game win over Hartford.

Stony Brook, under second-year head coach Ryan Anatol, returns 13 letterwinners and one redshirt freshman from last season's team that captured the America East Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Fernandes and the Seawolves will open the 2012 season on Friday, Aug. 24 at Fairleigh Dickinson at 7 p.m.

Maysonet garners All-American from Phil Steele

Senior running back named to fourth team

Cleveland, Ohio - Phil Steele's College Football Preview has named senior Miguel Maysonet (Riverhead, N.Y.) to its preseason All-America Team, the magazine recently announced. Maysonet, a running back, garnered fourth-team honors.

Maysonet rushed for 1,633 yards, a Stony Brook and Big South record, and 15 touchdowns in 2011. He scored four touchdowns against Lafayette and Charleston Southern, becoming the school's all-time leader in rushing TDs (27).He sits in fifth place in conference history with 2,761 yards and is 873 yards shy of breaking the all-time mark set by former Liberty and Jacksonville Jaguar running back Rashad Jennings. Maysonet is 847 yards shy of breaking Conte Cuttino's school-rushing mark of 3,607.Entering 2012, Maysonet is tops in the nation among all active players in yards per game (115.0) and second in yards per carry (6.45).The magazine also announced its All-Big South selections. Joining Maysonet on the first team are senior quarterback Kyle Essington (Chino Hills, Calif.), junior running back Marcus Coker (Beltsville, Md.), senior fullback Chris Fenelon (Bellerose, N.Y.), junior linebacker Jawara Dudley (Roosevelt, N.Y.), senior defensive back Dominick Reyes (Hesperia, Calif.) and senior kicker Wesley Skiffington (Brandon, Fla.).
Senior wide receiver Kevin Norrell (Los Angeles, Calif.), junior right tackle Michael Bamiro (Tobyhanna, Pa.), junior linebacker Grant Nakwaasah (Richardson, Texas), junior defensive back Davonte Anderson (Corona, Calif.) and senior linebacker Dan Mulrooney (Prospect, Conn.) made the second team.

Paul Fenaroli '11 signs with the New Orleans Saints

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Paul Fenaroli '11 is a 6-2, 300-pound product of Stony Brook who first entered the National Football League as an undrafted free agent with the Atlanta Falcons in 2011 after spending that spring with the Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League. He had a one week stint on the Green Bay Packers squad in 2011 also. Fenaroli was a two-time, first-team All-Big South selection at Stony Brook, who started 38 straight games on the offensive line for the Seawolves

Youth Football Clinic/Scrimmage at Sachem North HS today

The Seawolves reach out to the community on Saturday afternoon as Sachem North alumni Craig Geoghan ('09) and Davon Lawrence ('10) return to the Sachem North football field for Stony Brook University's football scrimmage. Come and support them as the clinic starts at 2:30 p.m. and the scrimmage at 3:30 p.m..

CAA Football Commissioner, Tom Yeager talks Stony Brook Football

Stony Brook, Albany quality additions to CAA football

David Teel, Daily Press (Virginia)

Rookie Old Dominion strutted into Colonial Athletic Association football last season and promptly earned a national playoff bid in the Championship Subdivision's most rugged conference. Wednesday the CAA formally introduced two new members capable of equally stunning entrances.
Stony Brook and Albany not only made the 2011 playoffs but also collided in the first round, Stony Brook prevailing against its state rival 31-28. Once colleagues in the Northeast Conference, they'll reunite in the CAA come 2013.
"This isn't just filling out a roster to get an extra conference game," CAA commissioner Tom Yeager said during a media teleconference. "These are two programs that have distinguished themselves as champions."

Rocked by the defections of ODU, Georgia State, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and the demise of programs at Hofstra and Northeastern, Yeager and CAA football were like cross-country truckers at 3 a.m.: They needed a jolt.

The commissioner delivered. He targeted the Seawolves and Great Danes — they will be football-only members — for their pedigree and geography, and sold them on leaving their respective football homes: the Big South for Stony Brook and Northeast Conference for Albany.
This he did transparently, keeping his Big South and NEC colleagues, Kyle Kallander and Noreen Morris, apprised.

Also, with these two New York teams fortifying a Northeast precinct that includes Maine, New Hampshire, Villanova and Delaware, Yeager has invited Rhode Island to reconsider its move to the NEC and remain part of the CAA.
"This alignment will really solidify (Championship Subdivision) football in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic for a long time," Yeager said.
With a Southern flank that includes William and Mary, Richmond, James Madison and Towson, CAA football will, depending on Rhode Island, have 10 or 11 teams for 2013 and beyond. Those programs will play an eight-game conference schedule that will test Stony Brook and Albany like never before.
"We believe that the CAA is the best FCS conference," said Stony Brook president Samuel Stanley Jr. "I think all the evidence points to that."
The evidence includes a record five playoff teams three times in the last five seasons, and national championships for Massachusetts, Delaware, James Madison, Richmond and Villanova. Dating to when it was called the Yankee Conference, the CAA has produced multiple playoff teams each of the last 21 years.
Conversely, the Big South and Northeast Conference did not begin to receive automatic bids for their champions until 2010.
"The CAA clearly has the history, the tradition, the expectations to get multi bids," Stony Brook athletic director Jim Fiore said. "Once you get into the postseason, as we learned this past year — we got into the second round and lost late (34-27) to a really good Sam Houston State team. We could have/should have won that game.
"Once you get into postseason, anything can happen. Certainly we saw that in baseball. … We just need to get access to that tournament."
Seamheads will recall Stony Brook's improbable run to June's College World Series. The Seawolves also boast Lucy Van Dalen, the 2011 NCAA indoor mile champion who made New Zealand's Olympic team in the 1,500 meters.
"We want to compete for a national championship in football," Fiore said.
The nation's highest-scoring team last season at 38 points per game, Stony Brook might well contend this year. The Seawolves return running back Miguel Maysonet (1,633 yards rushing) and quarterback Kyle Essington (20 touchdown passes, four interceptions), and are No. 9 in Phil Steele's preseason poll.
Stony Brook coach Chuck Priore, a wishbone fullback at Albany, believes the CAA will attract even better players to his program.
"At the end of the day, (prospects) want to play against the best competition and have the best opportunity to be successful," he said. "I think that will allow us to be in some homes of some kids that probably in the past we weren't able to get into."
Stony Brook (four consecutive winning seasons) and Albany (six straight) are accustomed to CAA competition. Playing teams such as Hofstra, Maine, UMass, Delaware and Richmond, the Seawolves are 1-7 against the conference in the last five years, the Great Danes 3-6.
"But it's one thing to play those schools (occasionally)," said Albany coach Bob Ford, entering his 40th season. "It's an entirely different thing to play Villanova, James Madison and Delaware three weeks in a row.
"I would think that will have a little bit of residual effect upon our kids as we start getting into that level of competition. And it will probably take us a period of time to catch up with the recruits that we need to compete on that level on a weekly basis."
Yeager did not rule out further football additions, but with the recent losses of basketball powers ODU (to Conference USA) and VCU (to the Atlantic 10), not to mention George Mason's flirtation with the A-10, his attention likely turns to the roundball.
College of Charleston and Davidson anyone?
"Basketball," Yeager said, "is another day."
That day is coming soon.

Stony Brook football program headed to the CAA in 2013 - Newsday

Membership in the Colonial Athletic Association is the latest upgrade for Stony Brook University's football team. This time, a conference came looking for Stony Brook, which will begin CAA play in 2013.

"We've always been trying to catch up, I think we've finally caught up,'' said former coach Sam Kornhauser, who steered the program through its formative years, from a non-scholarship Division III operation playing on a rock-strewn field, until its arrival in a new stadium and on the verge of becoming a fully funded Football Championship Subdivision entity.

In the early years, Stony Brook football didn't have many suitors. This time, CAA commissioner Tom Yeager wooed Stony Brook, which could have remained in the Big South Conference. Yeager said he contacted Seawolves athletic director Jim Fiore to gauge his interest.

"Jim and I have had casual discussions over the years, we were very well aware of the growth of the program at Stony Brook," Yeager said Wednesday during a conference call detailing the additions of Stony Brook and Albany. "In this go-round I reached out to the university . . . we were very excited they agreed to the visit.''

The CAA has produced four of the last six FCS national champions. Unlike the one-bid Big South, the CAA usually produces multiple bids to the FCS playoffs. "We want to compete for a national championship in

Stony Brook and Albany will join Delaware, Maine, New Hampshire, Towson, Villanova, Richmond, William & Mary and James Madison. Current member Rhode Island, which had announced a downgrade to the Northeast Conference after this season, has been asked to remain and Yeager is

Going for a national title does not seem far fetched after Stony Brook's first appearance in the FCS playoffs culminated with a narrow loss to then top-ranked Sam Houston State last season.

"This is a great step for Stony Brook,'' junior offensive lineman Michael Bamiro said of the CAA. "We're trying to keep our heads focused on winning the CAA first.''

That is the mindset of coach Chuck Priore, but he also is looking forward to the future. "At the end of the day, they want to play against the best competition and have the best opportunity be successful,''

Lucy Van Dalen '12 ran a 4:06.97 in London Olympics semifinals

London, England - Despite a 4:06.97, former Stony Brook standout Lucy Van Dalen '12 placed 11th in the semifinals of the 1,500m at the 2012 London Olympics. The top five times in each of the two heats plus the next best two times advanced to Friday's finals.

Arguably the greatest student-athlete in school history, Van Dalen, a New Zealand native, competed in her first Olympic Games, just a few months after earning her sixth All-America honor at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Van Dalen owns or is a part of 13 Stony Brook records in indoor and outdoor track

Stony Brook to join CAA Football in 2013

A new era of Stony Brook Football in the premier FCS conference to begin in 2013.



Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook University has accepted an invitation to join the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) as an affiliated member for Football, President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D. and Director of Athletics Jim Fiore announced Tuesday.  The premier Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) conference, CAA Football has produced 23 postseason appearances and two national champions over the last five seasons.
Stony Brook, which will remain an all-sports member of the America East Conference, will begin playing football in the CAA in 2013, when the rest of the league will be comprised of the University of Delaware, James Madison University, University of Maine, University of New Hampshire, University of Richmond, Towson University, Villanova University, the College of William & Mary and the University at Albany.  The Seawolves will be immediately eligible for the conference championship and automatic bid into the NCAA Division I Football Championship.

“Today is a proud day for Stony Brook University as we continue to elevate our intercollegiate athletics program to higher levels of excellence,” said Stony Brook University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D.  “Moving our football program into the CAA aligns us with the elite academic and athletic institutions in the Football Championship Subdivision.  We are excited for the opportunity to showcase our talented student-athletes, modern facilities and beautiful campus to a broader audience while also providing our students, the campus community, our fans and alumni a new and exciting level of Seawolves college football to enjoy.”
“We are honored by this opportunity to become a member of CAA Football,” Fiore said.  “We will now compete in arguably the most challenging and respected conference in the Football Championship Subdivision, while also allowing us to continue to develop regional rivalries through conference participation.” Fiore said.  “We have truly enjoyed our association and greatly respect the five-year relationship we have built as a proud member of the Big South Conference.  On behalf of Stony Brook University, I would like to thank and wish them well as they continue to grow and develop their football membership.



“Stony Brook Football has come very far, very fast over the last five years, and now is the time to elevate our program further and to put ourselves in a position to win national championships,” Fiore continued.  “The CAA has a clear pedigree and built an unrivaled tradition of excellence, and I am confident that under Coach Chuck Priore’s leadership, our football program will continue to grow and annually compete for league and national championships as members of the CAA. Clearly, as we join this outstanding conference today, our best days are ahead of us.”
CAA Football has achieved unprecedented success in FCS since taking the reins of the league in 2007.  The conference has produced two national championships, four national championship game appearances, eight semifinals appearances and more than 30 postseason wins in that span.  In 2007, the conference earned a record five bids into the NCAA Div. I Football Championship and then repeated the feat in 2008 and 2011.
Including its years under the Atlantic 10 and Yankee Conference monikers, CAA Football institutions have accumulated five national championships, four national championship runners-up, 80 NCAA playoff berths, 337 Sports Network All-Americans (since 1987), six Walter Payton Award winners, six Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year winners and six AFCA National Coach of the Year winners.
Demonstrating the incredible balance and competitiveness of the league, seven different teams have claimed at least a share of the conference championship since 2007, and all 10 of the teams that will comprise CAA Football in 2013 have reached postseason over the last five seasons.  Eight of those 10 have won at least one postseason game.

“Stony Brook Football has come very far, very fast over the last five years, and now is the time to elevate our program further and to put ourselves in a position to win national championships.” - Stony Brook Director of Athletics Jim Fiore

CAA Football will also afford Stony Brook much more national exposure. Beginning this fall, CAA Football is kicking off a five-year agreement with the NBC Sports Group that provides a minimum of five national television broadcasts on the NBC Sports Network and continues its regional television coverage using the Comcast SportsNet regional networks.
“Coach Priore has Stony Brook poised for yet another run for the NCAA Playoffs,” Yeager said.  “Welcoming the Seawolves into our league next season will present our current members with yet another challenging matchup come Saturdays in the fall.”
Boasting Long Island’s only Div. I football program, Stony Brook Athletics has been on an incredible upward trajectory since 2003.  Specific to football, since joining the Big South Conference in 2008, the Seawolves have positioned themselves as players on the national Football Championship Subdivision scene.  Under head coach Chuck Priore, the Seawolves have captured three consecutive Big South championships and earned the program’s first-ever NCAA Div. I Football Championship berth in 2011 after going unbeaten in the league (6-0).
Stony Brook, which produced a program-best nine-game winning streak during the 2011 season, then advanced to the second round of the playoffs with a thrilling 31-28 first-round win over Albany at a sold-out Kenneth P. Lavalle Stadium before losing to national runner-up and then-No. 1 Sam Houston State.  The Seawolves finished the season nationally ranked in both the FCS Coaches and Sports Network polls for the first time ever and were the nation’s top scoring offense at 38.0 points per game.
“Joining CAA Football will surely raise the profile of our program as we will now compete against the best of the best in Football Championship Subdivision,” Priore said. “As we take on premier FCS teams within our conference and continue to play a challenging non-conference schedule, we will have the opportunity to expand our recruiting efforts and find the best and the brightest to come to Stony Brook University. Our coaches and student-athletes are eager for the challenge, and we expect that this opportunity will allow us to annually compete for a national championship each year.”
Stony Brook has also chosen to compete with the best of the best at the Football Bowl Subdivision level (FBS).  Since reaching the maximum allotment of scholarships of 63 in 2010, the Seawolves have competed against the University of South Florida, University of Texas at El Paso and the University at  Buffalo.  Stony Brook will take on Syracuse University and the United States Military Academy in 2012 and is contracted to face Boston College, the University of Cincinnati and the University at Buffalo in future seasons.
CAA Football has traditionally been strong against FBS foes, producing nine victories since 2007, including four in 2009 alone, 17 over the last 10 seasons and 29 wins over the conference’s overall 34-year history.
In addition to improving its athletic standing on the field, Stony Brook is aligning itself with like-minded institutions that place an emphasis on student-athlete work in the classroom.  CAA Football has had 10 programs earn NCAA Public Recognition Awards over the last three years for ranking among the top 10 percent of the FCS in the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rating system.  This year, Stony Brook received an award from the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) for achieving the highest APR in the Big South Conference.
For the upcoming 2012 season, Stony Brook will compete in the Big South, looking to win its fourth consecutive conference championship, and will return 47 letterwinners and 17 starters from last season’s championship squad.  Since joining the league in 2008, the Seawolves have compiled a 19-4 conference record and have won 10 consecutive home Big South games.  Stony Brook’s 2012 football season kicks off on Sept. 1 against Central Connecticut State at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium at 6 p.m.