After another banner year for the program that included the team’s fourth 20-win season in the last five years, Stony Brook University has agreed to a contract extension for head men’s basketball coach Steve Pikiell through the end of the 2018-19 season, Interim Director of Athletics Donna Woodruff announced Wednesday.
“Steve has always been an exemplary leader of our Stony Brook men’s basketball program, and I am thrilled to know that he will be leading our student-athletes to future success as we move forward," Woodruff said. "With the integrity and class that he demonstrates day in and day out, he is truly one of the great ambassadors for University and our Department of Athletics. Our men’s basketball program has experienced great success on the court, in the classroom and in the community as a result of Steve’s tireless efforts and commitment. I know that Coach Pikiell will continue to guide our student-athletes toward even greater success, especially as we move to our new home, Stony Brook Arena, this fall."
“I want to thank the entire Stony Brook University administration, especially Donna Woodruff and President Stanley, for their support each and every day as we continue to lead this program to bigger and better things,” Pikiell said. “I also want to give thanks to my staff – Jay Young, Lamar Chapman, Dan Rickard and Ricky Lucas – for the great jobs they do day in and day out. I tell our student-athletes that we’re here to work hard in the classroom and graduate, compete for league championships and strive for success at the professional level, and I feel like we are truly achieving our goals. I look forward to being a part of Stony Brook’s bright future and continuing to give our University and surrounding communities, our fans and alumni a program they are proud to support.”
Pikiell recently completed his ninth season coaching the #Seawolves, and he has firmly established the program as one of the best in the America East Conference, the Metropolitan New York area and the Northeast Region. In 2013-14, Stony Brook won 23 games, which led all America East teams and was second among the 21 Metro New York schools. Pikiell’s team went 13-3 in America East, the fourth time in the last five years the program has won at least 13 conference games, and advanced to the America East Championship final for the third time in the last four years.
Pikiell’s success has been prominent and dominant over the last five seasons, during which Stony Brook’s record is 107-56 (.656) overall and 62-18 (.775) in America East. In the last two seasons alone, Stony Brook’s record has been 48-19 (.716), which is tops among all America East and Metro New York schools. The conference record has been even more dominant as the #Seawolves have claimed three of the last five America East regular season championships. Over the last three conference seasons, Stony Brook has an incredible 41-7 (.854) mark.
Pikiell is a three-time America East Coach of the Year and two-time Met Writers Coach of the Year. He has mentored his student-athletes to 15 All-America East selections, two America East Defensive Players of the Year, one America East Rookie of the Year and three America East Players of the Year, including 2014 Player of the Year Jameel Warney, who also has been named Associated Press All-America honorable mention, first-team All-Met, first-team All-NABC District 1 and Mid-Major All-America.
Pikiell’s mentorship has also extended into the classroom. Stony Brook’s Academic Progress Rate (APR) has been a perfect 1000 in each of the last three seasons, and the program’s four-year rolling APR is the 39th highest in all of Div. I and the best among Metro New York schools.
Pikiell and his team have also made an impact across the community. He annually hosts many community service projects for his student-athletes, including the Special Olympics clinic that the program puts on every winter as well as visits to the Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and Cancer Center. The team was also instrumental in participating in The Miracle League, aimed to give children with disabilities the opportunity to play baseball and make friends. In the summer of 2012, he and his wife Kate donated $50,000 back to the university with $25,000 going to men’s basketball and $25,000 going to Stony Brook Children’s Hospital.
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