Oct. 10, 2006

Click here for a photo gallery of the festivities.

Stony Brook, N.Y. - On a beautiful Saturday in October, Stony Brook played host to Wolfstock 2006, its annual homecoming celebration that proved to be one of the finest ever. Alumni turned out in record numbers to enjoy an outstanding weekend of homecoming activities that was highlighted by a thrilling 33-21 victory over rival Albany in front of nearly 7,000 fans who jammed LaValle Stadium.

The weekend began with the new Goldstein Family Student-Athlete Development Center ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday afternoon. Stuart Goldstein `74 and his son Darin were on hand to dedicate the state-of-the-art academic facility before over 150 administrators, friends and student-athletes. The 6,000-square foot facility features a state-of-the-art computer lab, a study hall/multipurpose function room, a career resource/library area and several private tutor rooms as well as administrative offices for the academic advising staff.

On Saturday morning, the Stony Brook Athletics Department welcomed four new members into the Stony Brook Athletics Hall of Fame. Daniel Antonius '99 (Men's Tennis), Bob Burden '90 (Football and Baseball), John DeMarie (Former Head Coach, Men's Swimming) and Joe Nathan '97 (Baseball) were honored in a ceremony emceed by Mike Taroli, the chair of the Athletic Director's Advisory Council. Antonius, Burden and DeMarie were on hand for the ceremony while Nathan was unable to attend due to his obligations with the Minnesota Twins. The hard-throwing reliever and two-time all-star will be in attendance later this year when honored at halftime of the Hofstra vs. Stony Brook men's basketball game on December 5. Five Stony Brook Hall of Fame members were also in attendance for the induction ceremony for the class of 2006 - President Shirley Strum Kenny, Stu Sharoff '81, Chuck Downey '88, Paul Klyap '89 and Former Men's Soccer Coach and Atheltic Director John Ramsey.

Following the ceremony, Stony Brook alumni participated in several new traditions as part of the Homecoming festivities. The Athletics Department Reunion Tent hosted more than 200 former student-athletes and their families with a pre-game tailgate. Alumni from the Class of 1971 all the way to the Class of 2006 were in attendance - some back on campus for the first time since they received their diploma!

And then there was the highlight of Homecoming - the football game. In front of approximately 7,000 screaming fans at LaValle Stadium, the Seawolves rallied in the second half to overtake rival UAlbany, who had been ranked nationally in the Top 25 two weeks earlier. The supportive fans also witnessed the debut of the Stony Brook University marching band which wound up being a huge hit on the day. Over 40 band members clad in red and blue uniforms energized the crowd with their sound and terrific choreographed halftime show.

This exciting day concluded with a post-game barbecue where alums celebrated the homecoming win and enjoyed a fireworks finale once the sun went down.