This afternoon, the boys’ basketball team turned back Millbrook, 45-27, to win the program’s first ever Regional Championship and punch a ticket to the New York State Final Four.

Prior to the game, numerous alumni from the basketball program offered encouragement, motivation, and words of wisdom to the team on their way to a historic win for the program. Today’s victory was not just for the boys in uniform, but for every player and coach that has ever been a part of the Blue & White.

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Harold Spooner ’70: “Congratulations to the team on winning their fifth county championship. I know how much the boys have worked to achieve this goal. A special congratulations to Coach Hickey and the consistency of excellence he has demanded of his teams over these many years. Mike is starting to get a whiff of the Marvin Goldberg rare air. Go Bears!”

Andrew White ’13: “I hope this past basketball season has taught these young men a good amount of lessons and helped bond the team into a family. All this hard work and dedication is now put to a test. Let’s get it done. ‘People look at you strange saying you changed like you worked that hard to stay the same.’ Be a different breed tonight, gentlemen. Good luck, fellas.”

Robbie Colarusso ’15: “Nothing changes! Have to come together as a family to win, baby. Good luck and much love.”

Jerome Washington ’12: “The Stony Brook Family is proud of you, and that if you believe, you can achieve anything that you want. Go Bears!”

Luke Fischer ’96: “There are few chances to make history. This is your chance!”

Lou Pizzichillo ’08: “I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that you’ve made us proud to be Stony Brook Bears! Keep up the great work. You’ll never forget this season. Come Saturday, make it clear which team wants it more, leave every drop of yourself out on that floor, and in the end, win or lose, you will have no regrets. Go Bears.”

Ryan Mitchell ’07: “Congratulations and remember to enjoy the journey.”

Isom Chapelle ’05: “What’s up Team! You’ve already made history with your last win. Now you have the opportunity to put your school in rare company. I’m sure you all will play hard, play smart and bring home the win. Remember that there’s no team like you. Peace.”

Diego Vega ’80: “Congratulations on your amazing achievement, guys. I’ve been in touch with both Coach Hickey and Dan throughout the season, and I know how hard you’ve worked and sacrificed to get this far. What a wonderful testament to your unity as a team that you’re on the doorstep of this amazing achievement. You have represented yourselves and the Blue and White in impeccable fashion both out on the court and in your sportsmanship, and I must say that I loved it when I heard that Brandon said that, “They still have to take our crown.” That really summed it up perfectly and gave me chills!

There are two special verses from the New English Bible that I’d like to share with you, which meant a lot to me as I competed for SBS, and which I think that every Christian athlete should never forget:

• Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
• Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who trust in the LORD will renew their strength… They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”

Trust each other, trust your coaches, and trust that the Lord will look over you today and every day. Best of luck as you chase your State Championship dreams. Stay safe and remember to enjoy the ride! Yikes Shrikes & Go Bears!”

Jonas Fischer ’94: “We are proud. We are behind you. But this is your moment. Keep playing your hearts out on defense and you’ll have no regrets. Go Bears!”

Farqu Taylor ’11: “My fellow Bears, this is your moment. You have an opportunity to do something no SBS boys’ basketball team has done. This moment right here is something that I even looked forward to when I was in your shoes, unfortunately we came up short when it was my turn. So for all of the basketball alumni before you let’s get this W! Let’s get this W for your families, your classmates, and your coach! Most importantly, LET’S GET THIS W FOR YOURSELVES. Clear mind, full heart, you can’t lose… tick tick boom!”

Joe Corrado ’13: “Guys, it might seem like a giant task to make history with this win, but you showed that you’re capable with that win over Greenport. Holding them to over 30 points below their season average was amazing! Just remember that we are all rooting you on when you’re out there representing our school. We’ll be there in spirit with you all, and so will God. Just take a deep breath and continue to trust in each other, you’ll do great. Good luck team!”

Robbie Marvin ’96: “Congrats on the incredible year thus far. But don’t stop here! You have the chance to go where no team has gone before. Enjoy this team as you compete with your friends and treasure these memories. And most importantly, listen to everything Coach Hickey says! He has seen it all and knows what he is talking about. Good luck and kick butt!

Rod Odom ’09: “The energy around Stony Brook basketball was always one of my favorite parts about being a Stony Brook Bear. It’s been fun to follow you all this season. Have fun this weekend, and enjoy every second of it.”

Adam Duff ’07: “I’m not going to say congratulations. I’m going to say don’t be satisfied. It’s a pretty easy thing to take praise and get satisfied. Don’t let that happen to you. You’re a group of young men with the opportunity to do something no Stony Brook basketball team has ever done and that’s pretty special. I want you all to be able to have a story.

The most important stories you’ll have looking back years from now will be the stupid, funny things you did before practice or the times you worked with the guys next to you to get your work done while on the bus because you had a few games that week and your physics teacher definitely wasn’t letting you out of homework. Those will be the things that stick with you if not in a concrete way. Give yourself that State Championship story to talk about at dinner 10 years from now, and more importantly, give your brother next to you that story. It’ll be something truly special to share together. Be great.”

David Marvin ’99: “Congrats on your success so far, fellas! Enjoy the journey and finish strong! Wish I could be there to watch you get the next W, but I’ll have to settle for cheering you on from Texas! Do work!”

Luke Meyer ’15: “Good luck boys! All your hard work has put you guys in this spot, go make history! Lock up on defense and you guys got this.”

Seth Kuhn ’99: “For all the Bears, for your friends and family, forever… just win! Just… win!”

Logan Vimont ’10: “Y’all have a chance to make Stony Brook Basketball history on Saturday. It’s an amazing opportunity that you’ve earned. But trust me, when you look back on this season, the banner won’t be what you’re thinking about. What you’re really going to care about is the camaraderie, your brothers, and being part of a team. Take it from me – I was part of the team that brought home Stony Brook’s first LI title.

Looking back, what eats me up the most is not getting another chance to play with my boys. That’s what I miss the most – that bond and that brotherhood – so much so that in college, I worked my butt off to walk on to the football team. Basketball was my sport, but I knew I had a better chance at making the football team. I didn’t care, I just wanted to be a part of a brotherhood again.

So this maybe corny, but I’m telling you, go out there and KICK THEIR BUTT just because you’ll get to play another game of basketball with your boys. If you get a lead, step on their throat and put them away. If you get down, claw your way back in. If you’re a big man, be a bully in the paint on both ends of the floor. If you’re a shooter then shoot it with confidence. If you’re a slasher, attack the rim like it’s your job. No matter what your skillset is, be a brick wall on D. I’m getting hyped just writing this out! (Put me in coach Hickey!). I don’t know any of you individually, but you have Stony Brook across your chest, so you have me and many others in your corner. Bring home that W boys.”

Pete Carmel ’07: “Good luck today, and make sure you leave it all on the floor. Best of luck and let’s get this W and make school history!”

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