Feb. 17, 2008

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook University's Department of Athletics held its annual Laxbacker Dinner on Saturday night at the Meadow Club in Port Jefferson Station. The seventh annual event was a tremendous success with more than 240 people, a record number, coming out to support Stony Brook's men's and women's lacrosse teams. "I would like to thank all of our alumni, families and members of the Stony Brook lacrosse community for their commitment to our programs and our University," said head men's lacrosse coach Rick Sowell. "I am humbled by this great turnout and it is a credit to the energy and enthusiasm surrounding the Stony Brook programs. The Laxbacker Dinner was a great start to the 2008 season."

In addition to both teams, both coaching staffs and Stony Brook Director of Athletics Jim Fiore, the crowd was full of Stony Brook lacrosse alumni, parents and supporters of both programs. Sowell and head women's coach Allison Comito both spoke at the event, giving Seawolf lacrosse fans a preview of the upcoming 2008 seasons. Senior midfielder Rhys Duch (Victoria, British Columbia) and junior defender Jenna Spenard (Cicero, N.Y.) also spoke at the dinner, recounting their experiences as student-athletes for the Seawolves. "It was great to see so many supporters of Stony Brook lacrosse attend this great event, especially those who represented the special group of women that founded the Stony Brook Women's Lacrosse program," said Comito. "With the continued support of our alumnae at events such as this one, along with the tremendous dedication of our families and friends, Stony Brook will continue to achieve great levels of success both on and off the field."

Brendan Flemming, president of Inside Lacrosse, spoke before the dinner and announced that his company will be partnering with the Stony Brook Department of Athletics this spring to hold a "Lacrosse for Autism" event. It will take place on Tuesday, April 22 when both the men's and women's lacrosse teams will be hosting Hofstra University in a double-header and the event will raise awareness for autism while also raising funds for the Cody Center.

The annual Laxbacker dinner has helped to raise significant funds during the past seven years to support scholarships and additional operating costs for the Stony Brook lacrosse programs as well as provide an opportunity to kick off the upcoming lacrosse season and to recognize current and former Stony Brook athletes and coaches.