Alex Harris Weighs In on Rick Sowell's Departure

Rock Sowell stepped down as head coach of Stony Brook men’s lacrosse Thursday, taking the same position at the Naval Academy. With that, Sachem North senior Alex Harris, who is scheduled to attend Stony Brook, took the eye-popping information in stride.

“Coach Sowell was a big part of me going there,” Harris said. “He is a good guy, a good coach. I don’t hold anything against him. I wish him well.”

Sowell sent text messages to all of his 2012 recruits and said he’d follow up with a phone call within the week.

“I’m going to play the same as if he was there,” said Harris, who was one of the top long stick defenders on Sachem’s roster this season.

Harris is still optimistic about the experience he’s about to embark on at the college level. Even without Sowell, and top players Jordan McBride, Kevin Crowley and Tom Compitello in the fold due to graduation, the Seawolves are bringing in one of the top rated recruiting classes next season.

“We’re going to be a young team,” Harris said. “Someone is going to need to step in and take the role to bring it up a notch.”

It’s unclear who might be in the mix to replace Sowell, who led Stony Brook to 23 wins in two seasons and a spot in the NCAA quarterfinals. His assistant Ryan Wellner will also be going with him to Navy.

“My wife, Cathy, and I want to thank [Stony Brook Athletic Director] Jim Fiore, my assistant coaches, my student-athletes and the entire Stony Brook University community for their support in helping make Seawolves men’s lacrosse the great program it has become,” Sowell said in a statement. “We accomplished great success here, and I have no doubt that Stony Brook will continue to build its reputation as a national lacrosse power.”