Women’s Basketball Hosts Fantasy Camp for SBU Faculty and Staff

Stony Brook University faculty and staff ended their workday at the Stony Brook Arena on October 10, joining the women's basketball team for its first-ever Fantasy Camp, a two-hour, all-smiles event designed to bring the campus community together on the court.

Upbeat music played, and Seawolves red flooded the arena, as players, faculty, and staff started with a casual shootaround before breaking into stretches and different levels of skill stations. Each station, run by three or four players, focused on the fundamentals: ball handling, passing, and shooting.

"This was really about connection," said head coach Joy McCorvey. "We wanted to continue to bridge that gao between the university and athletics. What better way than to invite our faculty and staff into our space? We have some unbelievable young women doing amazing things in the classroom and community, and this was a chance for people to really get to know them."

The event was held just a month before the Seawolves' first home game of the season - November 7 against Molloy - a timely way to spark excitement and spotlight the hard work of the team. McCorvey, as well as the many other coaches, helped to guide the sessions.

For the players, though, the camp was about more than practice.

"The idea was to connect with the staff," said junior guard Janay Brantley. "It's fun to get to know them and show them more of who we are."

Her teammate, Ionna Giannopoulou, a sophomore guard from Queens, agreed. "It's nice to see professors in a totally different way."

Faculty and staff echoed that enthusiasm. Amy Vitale, assistant vice president for business and operations, said she joined for the "tips from the best athletes on campus" and the chance to "get out and play."

Chanel Jones, executive assistant to the assistant vice president, laughed as she took a break between drills. "I just did a Zumba session with the basketball girls, so when they invited me, I had to show up," she said. "I even skipped my morning workout because I knew this was going to be a good one."

By the end of the evening, the court was full of high-fives and laughter, a snapshot of Seawolves spirit extended beyond the sidelines.

- Lily Miller