Seawolves Celebrate at the Wolfstock Homecoming Festival

Wolfie led the charge onto the field at LaValle Stadium as the Seawolves took on William and Mary in the Homecoming football game on October 26. Photo by John Griffin.

Stony Brook University was alive with excitement, fun and football during the Wolfstock Homecoming Festival, which featured a full slate of events across campus from October 21-27.

One of the highlights of the weeklong celebration was the Stony Brook football team's 35-13 triumph over William and Mary on Saturday, October 26, the team's first victory over a ranked opponent since 2021. The Seawolves, ranked 24th in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 Poll coming into the game, improved to 6-2 overall and 3-1 in the CAA with the dominant win. Roland Dempster led the way with 144 yards rushing and two touchdowns, while quarterback Tyler Knopp passed for 240 yards and two scores as the Seawolves entertained a crowd of over 7,500 fans in the "Red Out" game.

The homecoming game's festivities also included the annual crowning of the Homecoming Royalty at halftime, performances by the Spirit of Stony Brook band and the cheerleading team, as well as the premiere of the new Stony Brook University anthem video on the stadium screen.

In the spirit of Homecoming - and in the style of Stony Brook's new branding - students, alumni, community members and future Seawolves helped paint a 17-x-7-foot mural on the back wall of the Sports Complex, facing LaValle Stadium. The mural represents the Campus Beautification Committee's continued commitment to beautifying community spaces across campus and was produced in partnership with the athletics department.

Students, alumni and others from the SBU community got to the stadium early for the popular Wolfstock Village BBQ. Earlier in the day, the Stony Brook Athletics Rita & Kurt Eppenstein Hall of Fame inducted five alumni in its Class of 2024 - Pat Cantwell '12 (baseball), John Espey (men's lacrosse head coach and administrator), Bria Green '15 (softball), Corinne Leake '04 (women's track and field) and Dorrien Van Dyke '17 (women's lacrosse).

Stony Brook University Interim President Richard McCormick joined students at the Homecoming football game. Photo by John Griffin.

The Homecoming Harvest kicked off Wolfstock on October 23 with pumpkin carving, a smoothie bike and more on the SAC Plaza.

Distinguished Stony Brook alumni were honored October 24 with the annual 40 Under Forty celebration, recognizing accomplished alumni who are making significant contributions in their professions and communities.

Friday's festivities included the Seawolves Showcase, where students showed off their school spirit at Island Federal Arena.

Earlier that day, eleven endowed faculty members who represent academic and research excellence were formally installed at an investiture ceremony at the Wang Center Theater, and the "Unstoppable Momentum" event featured thought leaders from across campus in a celebration of the university's transformative impact.

The festival's final event on October 27 was the annual Wolfie Dash 5K Run/Walk.

View a photo gallery from several Wolfstock events, with photos by John Griffin and Isabel Epstein:

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