Pikiell Returns To Brookhaven Town On Saturday Night As Rutgers Squares Off Against Stony Brook
Stony Brook – The atmosphere at Island Federal Credit Union Arena, on the campus of Stony Brook University will be electrified on Saturday night. The man who helped build the Stony Brook Seawolves men’s basketball program will be returning to pace the court, albeit in front of the visitor’s bench. Steve Pikiell, now the head coach at Rutgers University in the Big Ten, is bringing his Scarlet Knights (8-1) to the Three Village area of Brookhaven Town.
Punching a ticket to the NCAA’s “Big Dance” was something every Seawolves fan craved, worked toward and coveted. It also however, led to the bittersweet departure of their beloved coach.
To a person, it’s virtually impossible to find anyone who holds a grudge against Coach Pikiell, for leaving. Just the opposite, holds true. Fans, former co-workers and players are all happy for, and proud of their guy. He deserved to move on to a bigger program, on a grander stage after what he delivered to the Seawolves community. And he left them in great shape.
The program had been through some tough times prior to Pikiell’s arrival. He had significant challenges when he stepped on campus in Stony Brook, having left George Washington University, and he remembers them well. “It’s a really competitive business. If you get one out of ten kids you’re recruiting that’s pretty good”. Name recognition wasn’t there. Facilities weren’t there. The obstacles were something I embraced. It takes a President, AD, student body, band, and roster.”
“My dream was to make it a program that people could be proud of”, said Pikiell during a Thursday afternoon phone call. “I wanted to make it a successful program”, he continued. “I told them” -those he interviewed with at Stony Brook- “I wanted to graduate kids, and make it a program that plays in the postseason. My first year, I was just trying to win a game.”
A lot has transpired in the nine months since Pikiell’s Stony Brook Seawolves won the America East Conference Tournament Championship game on the back of a 40-plus-point scoring effort by then-senior Jameel Warney. Gone are other key pieces to that championship team- Ray McGrew, Carson “Tre” Puriefoy and Ahmad Walker.
The championship games played inside of Pritchard Gymnasium and the new IFCU Arena embodied everything college basketball games should be. Fans packed the stands. The band, cheer and dance teams riled up the home crowds and intimidated the visiting teams.
The gameday environment established during the Pikiell years on the Stony Brook campus was immediately noticed by new head coach Jeff Boals. “I am amazed by the crowd every time we come out…”, Boals said, during a postgame presser a few days ago.
Bringing his Scarlet Knights to Stony Brook was a contractual obligation. Continuing the tradition of traveling to play larger programs, the Seawolves will play at Rutgers next season. What could very easily be an awkward situation is likely to be a celebration of success, with this homecoming-Pikiell’s success, and Stony Brook’s success.
Some grateful, familiar faces will be on campus for the game. When asked on Friday if he’d be at the game, Tre’s father, Carson Puriefoy II said “No doubt! Some things must be done.” The elder Puriefoy doesn’t hesitate to express his thoughts when asked about Steve Pikiell. “I don’t know anyone who knows him that doesn’t like and respect him. He did what he said he’d do in every instance. I am grateful to him, AND Jay, Dave, Richard and Bryan.”
Tre Puriefoy is already on Long Island for the game. Earlier on Friday, Jameel Warney tweeted “Wish I was at @Stonybrooku tomorrow…that atmosphere is gonnna be insane”. Jameel’s right.
Pikiell went out of his way during the call to express his gratitude to the fans and his supporters. “The whole community. It’s an unbelievable place. The first time I talked to Coach Boals, I explained to him how great that community was. That Three Village community. I have four kids. It’s just a special place for me, and they embraced my family. Some of the greatest people and friends I’ve ever known, (are) from that community and helped me in so many ways.”
He also expressed sadness at not being able to take time to say goodbye. “One of the sad parts about leaving, when you get the job at Rutgers, it all happened so fast. My family didn’t even know. It was being reported before I even knew! I didn’t have an opportunity to say ‘Thank you’ or ‘goodbye’. It was a whirlwind. One minute you’re winning the (America East) championship and the next, you’re on a plane to Iowa to play Kentucky. You’re flying back. It will be nice to be back, and it will be great to see everyone again.”
Pikiell is also expecting to be on the receiving end of everything his former team can throw at him on Saturday night once the game tips off, and wouldn’t expect anything less. We agree coach, and we’re looking forward to seeing you back in Brookhaven Town.
Photos: Brookhaven News Herald-Jim Harrison | Cover: Former Seawolves men’s basketball head coach Steve Pikiell celebrates the America East Championship Game win, last March. | Story: Carson “Tre” Puriefoy III celebrates the America East Championship with family.
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