With a new coach, new schedule and a new recruiting class, the 2006 Stony Brook Football team is not the same one you may be used to seeing. It seems as if every change that could possibly hit the team is happening all at once. After 22 seasons with the Seawolves, Head Coach Sam Kornhauser retired at the end of last season with the North Eastern Conference title as a sending off. He was replaced in December by Chuck Priore, who spent six seasons at Trinity College where he led the team to four consecutive New England Small College Athletic Conference titles and a 30 game winning streak. When asked why he would leave Trinity at the height of his success, Priore referenced the jump from a division three system to a division one position as well as the vision that he and the university have for the team. This vision includes a greater visibility for the team off the field and a deeper involvement in the campus. The players are student-athletes and they should be involved in the student community, as the college sees it. More importantly, efforts will be made to get the student body more involved in the team’s fate. It’s time to have school spirit again On the field, Priore hopes to focus on building a strong work ethic amongst his players. He will focus on the fundamentals to create a stronger team that will grow as the years go on. As a new coach, Priore is excited to be a part of the new era of Stony Brook football. Part of that new era includes a new schedule for the season that pits the Seawolves against some of the top teams in the nation, according to Coach Priore. Does that mean we shouldn’t expect another title? No worries, just because the coaching staff views this season as a building block for future goals, does not mean that they plan to roll over and let a game pass them by. They will be challenging their opponents like the defending champions that they are. As for the future of the team, we can catch a glimpse of it this season with the first recruiting class in Stony Brook history. Fourteen incoming freshmen received athletic scholarships to play for the Seawolves. While they may not get much playing time this season, the new players are expected to challenge their older teammates and push them to new levels. They will become the foundation to build on for future seasons as the team moves forward in its goals, creating greater depth and a higher level of play. Finally, the 2006 season marks the end of Stony Brook’s involvement in the Northeast Conference. In 2007, the team will be competing as a Division I-AA Independent, which will allow them to display their skills at a national level. It is a huge step up for the football program and while Priore cautions that you don’t just go out there and beat the tougher teams your first time, the move should make for some interesting football.