hooty hoo (november 2013)

Volume 1 Issue 3Nov.-Dec. 2013

BIG GREENCheck out the history behind one of the newest traditions in Stetson Athletics. 3.

$3.00

Also Inside:A Special Homecoming p. 4Homecoming Schedule p. 5From the A.D. p. 7Tip of the Hat p. 15Hatter Classic Golf p. 17ESPN3 Schedule p. 20

The Official Stetson Athletics Magazine

Men’s BasketballPreview pp. 8-9

Women’s BasketballPreview pp. 10-11

Homecoming 2013:November 8-10

#HatterHC

In MemoriamRoger Gilmore

1929 - 2013

#HootyHoo 3 November-December, 2013

#HootyHooContents About the Magazine

Volume 1 • Issue 3Nov.-Dec. 2013

#HootyHoo is a publication of the Stetson University Athletic Department. All rights reserved. Designed and edited by the Stetson Athletic Communications office, and Keith Allen. Photography by Jim Hogue, David Williams, PhotosInMotion.net, Rina Tovar, Larry Nordman, the Gilmore family, Stetson University, and Stetson Athletics. Printed by Independent Printing.

#HootyHoo Schedule:Issue 1: Aug.-Sept. 2013 - Commemorative EditionIssue 2: Oct. 2013Issue 3: Nov. - Dec. 2013 - Homecoming IssueIssue 4: Jan. 2014Issue 5: Feb. - March 2014Issue 6: April - May 2014

Return of the Football Homecoming Celebration . . . 4

2013 Homecoming Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

From the Athletic Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Men’s Basketball Preview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9

Women’s Basketball Preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11

Fall/Winter Schedules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Big Green: Redeeming the Peal and Pride . . . . . . 13

Stetson Spirit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Tip of the Hat: Academic Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Golf Teams Prepare for Hatter Classic . . . . . . . . . . 17

Hatters on the Air / ESPN3 Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Back Page Commentary (Bob Apgar) . . .Back Cover


A look back at the 1950 Stetson Football Homecoming game, courtesy of the Stetson University archives.

When Stetson hosts its first football Homecoming celebration in nearly 60 years on Nov. 9, several former Hatters will be in attendance. Stetson last hosted a football Homecoming in 1956, and one former Hatter says he’s impressed with the program’s development and can’t wait to come back to DeLand for Homecoming. James “Booty” Nance, a 1953 graduate and longtime Melbourne, Fla., resident, was a member of Stetson’s 1951 Tangerine Bowl champion squad. The Hatters went 8-1-2 that season, defeating Arkansas State 35-20 in the Tangerine Bowl. The Hatters’ only loss that season was to Florida State (13-10). Nance is looking forward to the Homecoming celebrations for a number of reasons, including the chance to reconnect with members of the Tangerine Bowl team. “The guys from that ’51 squad used to have annual reunions in DeLand for a number of years,” Nance said. “We’d get together at the old Holiday Inn, rent a suite, and have ourselves a great time. We’d go out and play golf and come back to the hotel and reminisce some more. But we stopped having those get-togethers a few years back because there weren’t too many of us left. I think we’re all looking forward to coming to DeLand and attending some functions, and watching Stetson win the game.”

Return of the Football Homecoming Celebration

Another former Hatter, Tampa’s Peter Brainard (’59), was thrilled when he heard Stetson was bringing back football. He had a simple reaction when he first heard the news. “Finally!” he said. “To me a university without a football program… it just doesn’t make sense. I understand why they stopped the program all those years ago. Money was tight, and it costs a lot to have football. But I sure am glad (Stetson President) Dr. Libby and (Athletics Director) Jeff Altier had the foresight to start the program back up.” Nance and Brainard both said they expect the 2013 Homecoming celebration to be quite unlike what they and their teammates experienced in the ‘50s. “We didn’t have the equipment or the people or the money to do what Stetson is doing for Homecoming these days,” said Nance. “We did have a parade through downtown and a band at the game, but that was pretty much it.” “The only Homecoming game I played we beat Mississippi College 25-0 (1955),” said Brainard. “I played in that game in the fourth quarter, and that’s quite a memory. (Homecoming) wasn’t as big back then as it is now. I expect this year’s event to be a much bigger deal.” Nance and Brainard have been strong supporters of Stetson football’s rebirth. Nance said it’s great to see the university

and DeLand communities supporting the players as they make their way through a sometimes challenging first season. “Coach (Roger) Hughes and I have become buddies since he was hired, and I’ve known Jeff Altier for several years,” said Nance. “I’m also impressed with what Dr. Libby has accomplished. I hope we can get a win this weekend, but even if we don’t I know we’re in good shape moving forward. “Reviving the program should have happened a long time ago. I’m glad the university has a president that likes sports and understands their value. I’m proud Stetson has a team again and that they’re going to give it every chance to succeed.” Nance said he was glad to see the newest version of Stetson football being given a chance to succeed. “Our status was always tenuous every year I was on the team,” he said. “So it’s great to see the commitment from so many different areas. I certainly hope they have success on the field and a heckuva lot of fun, too.” Brainard had similar thoughts. “I remember when we used to have to practice on an old field out by the airport,” said Brainard. “So it’s great to see these fellas having all the attention and advantages that we never had. I’m a season ticket holder and have been to every game, and I plan on being a season ticket holder again next year, too.”


Manoj Khettry, a collegiate soccer all-American with 22 years of coaching experience, became the women’s soccer programs head coach in April. Additionally, the rowing program, for the first time since inception, became an affiliate conference member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. This conference affiliation, combined with the recent purchase of the rowing site at Lake Beresford, will position head coach Mark Wilson and the rowing team with an opportunity to compete for conference championships and NCAA regionals. The volleyball and cross country teams are having success at the highest level in recent history -- setting personal and program bests while receiving conference-wide recognition. But with regard to the evolution of athletic success, no one has done it better than Lynn Bria and the women’s basketball team. The Hatters are coming off the third consecutive year of postseason participation and a No. 14 seed in the NCAA Championship. They are preparing to move forward this year, beginning with an unprecedented appearance in the preseason Women’s National Invitational Tournament. While the program is evolving forward with new teams, coaches and success, we have just scratched the surface of what is to come. It is indeed a great time to be a Hatter! I look forward to seeing you at the games. Go Hatters!

From the Athletic Director:Athletic Programs Moving in the Right Direction

We are well into the new academic year, and the fall sports seasons are coming

to a close. As we look to embrace the challenges for the remainder of the year, it’s worthwhile to pause and reflect upon this moment in time. This is a very exciting time to be a Hatter and, as Athletic Director, I am especially proud of the role of athletics in the greater Stetson community. Universities and athletic departments develop and evolve and, this year, all Hatter fans have been part of history as Stetson ushered in the next generation of athletics by reintroducing the past, football. This step, some say an evolutionary step, has brought a newfound vibrancy to campus life and has provided a tangible rallying point for alumni. In addition, several new traditions -- such as the ringing of the portable Hulley Tower bell with each touchdown, the Hatter Walk and tailgating at Spec Martin Stadium – have helped to create a newfound energy for every sporting event. Football is not the only evolutionary step forward for the athletic program; several new hires have ushered in an era of greater coaching diversity as well as professional experience. Corey Williams, a former NBA player and college standout at Oklahoma State, became the first African-American head coach of Stetson’s men’s basketball team.

“Big Green” rings after every Hatters score.

Jeff Altier

Stetson fans cheer on the players during the Hatter Walk before every home football game.


Coach Williams Era Begins for Men’s Basketball

On June 3, 2013, Stetson Director of Athletics Jeff Altier announced Corey Williams as the 21st Hatters men’s basketball head coach in program history. Coach Williams went to work immediately after stepping foot on campus, hiring his staff in just a few weeks, and bringing in four new recruits less than a month later. With an earlier start to the season – the squad held its first official practice on Sept. 27 – the 2013-14 version of the Stetson men’s basketball team has been hard at work preparing to build off of the team’s success from a year ago. “We’ve been learning,” Williams said of the Hatters’ preseason. “We’ve been learning the intensity of it all, the expectations of the coaching staff, and our guys have really put forth the effort. We’re still making some mistakes that we will need to get better at, but overall I think the enthusiasm, the energy has been good.” Having finished third in the Atlantic Sun Conference standings, earning a berth to the A-Sun Tournament for the first time in four years, and reaching the conference semifinals for the first time since 2005-06, last season was one of the Hatters’ best in recent memory. When Williams arrived on campus, however, there were only nine players on the Stetson roster, and only six of them had seen time on the court as Hatters. Seniors Aaron Graham, Willie Green and Hunter Miller have all seen time in the starting lineup during their careers at

Stetson, giving the Hatters a healthy core of experience and leadership with a new coaching staff on board. “They’ve been here,” Williams said of his returning seniors. “They know how this place operates. They know this league a lot better than I know the league, because they’ve played in it. They bring a wealth of knowledge to our newcomers. They need to share what it takes to be on top, and hopefully that message resonates.” Graham is coming off of two productive years with the Hatters, recording two of the four best single-seasons for 3-point shooting in Stetson history. As a sophomore, he knocked down 68 triples – the second-most ever – and last year he tallied 66 treys. With just 15 more makes from beyond the arc, Graham will become the all-time 3-point leader in Hatters history. Miller stepped into the starting point-guard role midway through last season, his first year of competition with the Hatters after transferring from Florida Gulf Coast, and he will see much of his time at the point again as a senior. With the ability to control the game and score when needed to, Miller finished 2012-13 with 88 assists, 25 steals, and a 40.9 3-point percentage. After leading the Hatters in rebounding a year ago, Green

returns to the frontcourt ranked eighth in Stetson history with 80 career blocked shots in just two seasons. Last year, the Orlando native had a breakout campaign, starting all 31 games while leading the team with 6.6 rebounds per game, shooting at 54.1 percent from the floor, and recording 41 blocks. Sophomores Tanner Plemmons and Leke Solanke, junior Kyle Sikora, and redshirt freshman Brian Pegg round out the returning Hatters for the 2013-14 season.

Senior Willie Green


Plemmons showed signs that he can seriously shoot it as a freshman last year. In limited minutes, the guard knocked down 11 3-pointers on 44.0-percent shooting from beyond the arc, and shot 46.7 percent overall during his 20 games of action. Solanke and Pegg, who came in together as freshmen last season, will provide plenty of depth to the Hatter frontcourt in their second seasons at Stetson. Solanke brings plenty of energy, has the ability to block shots, and can finish with authority. Pegg only played in two games last season before missing the rest of the year due to injury, but the younger brother of former Hatter star Adam Pegg certainly showed signs of excellence in limited action. Sikora, who sat out last season due to NCAA transfer rules, gives the Hatters size in the middle. The 7-footer also has experience from his time at Oakland. In 2011-12, he played in 33 games, starting 16 contests and averaging nearly 10 minutes per game at center. Stetson brings eight new faces into the fold for the upcoming season, including a pair of upperclassmen who gained valuable experience at Louisiana-Lafayette. After three seasons and 68 starts at point guard for Louisiana-Lafayette, Raymone Andrews brings experience, leadership, and stellar defense to the Stetson backcourt as a fifth-year senior. In 2011-12, Andrews averaged 6.3 points per game while shooting 72.9 percent from the

2013-14 Men’s Basketball Season Preview, cont.

free-throw line and recording a 1.7 assist-to-turnover ratio. “Raymone is a natural leader,” Williams said. “He’ll bring that poise that we need at the point guard position. [He and Hunter] understand that they have to be an extension of me, so when I need something done I look at those two guys to make sure they spread that message and that our guys are up to the task.” Kentwan Smith played in 28 games as a freshman at Louisiana-Lafayette before transferring to Otero Junior College in Colorado. There he averaged 10.4 points and 5.2 rebounds while shooting 51.8 percent from the floor.

A trio of true freshmen guards will give the Hatters plenty of depth in the backcourt in 2013-14. Glenn Baral, who has brought winning ways everywhere he’s played, is a big shooting guard with a pure stroke. B.J. Glasford, who moves upstate from Miami, is a smooth combo guard who can play the point or the two. Finally, Raekwon Harney is a true point guard who averaged double-digit assists and nearly five steals per game while leading Winston-Salem Prep to two state championships. Freshman Andrew Zelis is a 6-11 center who gives Stetson another big man to work with in the middle. Sophomore Cameron Harvey was added late in the summer, and will redshirt after transferring from Eastern Illinois. Finally, sophomore Aidan Hadley was added as a walk-on just prior to the start of the season. After home exhibitions against Tampa and Palm Beach Atlantic, Stetson begins the 2013-14 campaign at Clemson and Notre Dame to open an eight-game road trip. The Hatters will host Davidson in the home opener on Nov. 30 and begin Atlantic Sun Conference play on Dec. 30, hosting Lipscomb (see page 12 for schedule). “The resounding message that [the players] will hear from me is take advantage of today,” Williams said. “Today is very important. Let’s not look on down the line. Let’s make the best of today. If we do that, if our approach is that way, then we won’t have any regrets each and every day that passes by, because we’ll know that we gave 110 percent.”

Senior Hunter Miller

Senior Aaron Graham


New Challenge, Same Goal for Women’s Basketball

Last season, when the Hatters won a school-record 24 games, captured the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship in dramatic fashion, and earned a #14 seed for the NCAA Tournament, they did it with a senior-laden squad that had seen virtually no turnover in the roster from the year before. However, with the graduation of six seniors and seven newcomers joining the program, the Stetson University women’s basketball team will certainly have a new flavor in 2013-14. Part of the challenge for head coach Lynn Bria and her staff is shortening the learning curve for the newcomers, many of whom are going to be called on to contribute right away. “We are going to have a lot of growing pains with six freshmen,” Bria said. “You have to do a lot of teaching, a lot of standing around and talking (during practice). I think they are picking up things very well. It is a new system for them, but they are working extremely hard, and I think our upperclassmen are really helping them come along. The Hatters head into the season with just one senior, two-time all-conference performer Sasha Sims. The lone remaining player on both of Stetson’s recent A-Sun championship teams (2011, 2013), Sims will be called upon to be a leader both on and off the court. “It is a lot tougher; I think I bear a lot more of the responsibilities,” Sims said

about being the team’s only senior. “It is a different role than I assumed last year, but I feel I am adapting. The leadership part is the same, being vocal and leading by example. It just requires a lot more ownership to one person versus having five other seniors to help out and contribute. It is a lot of pressure, but it is something I have prepared myself for over my three years, because I have always been by myself in my class.” Sims has already had one of the most decorated careers in school history. In addition to her two conference

championships, she has scored over 1,100 points, grabbed over 500 rebounds, and is quickly approaching the school record for career blocks. Recently, the league’s head coaches selected Sims as the preseason Defensive Player of the Year. “I think she is the most versatile player in the conference, and I have said that since she was a freshman,” Bria said. “I don’t think there is anything she can’t do. She can guard the perimeter, she can guard the post, she can step out, and she can go inside. I’m glad she is on my team, and we are going to need her every day.”

Senior Sasha Sims


Although Sims is the only senior, she will have veteran support among a solid trio of juniors, C.J. Coddington, Cherisse Burris and Jama Sharp. All three have been frequent starters and consistent contributors on teams that have twice set school records for most wins in a single season. “C.J. has improved tremendously, I think her shot has gotten a lot better,” Bria said. “She has always been a great defender. She has great size. C.J. contributed a lot for us last year, and I expect her to do even more this year.” A strong force around the basket and a consistent rebounder, Burris averaged 8.6 points and 4.4 rebounds for the Hatters last season. She averaged 10.0 points during last year’s A-Sun tournament, including scoring 13 points in the second-half of Stetson’s A-Sun finals victory over FGCU. “(Cherisse) finished the year strong,” Bria said. “We would never have won the championship without her. I thought she had a great tournament. So far, she looks really good. She is rebounding the ball well; she is shooting the ball from the perimeter extremely well. When we put her inside, she is posting up and scoring for us. I anticipate her to really help us this year.” Sharp, meanwhile, will have some big shoes to fill this season. After primarily playing the shooting-guard position her first two seasons, she will slide over to the

2013-14 Women’s Basketball Season Preview, cont.

point-guard spot, effectively taking over the role held by Victoria McGowan and Shanasa Sanders the past few years. “Jama has played point most of her life, so it is not a position that is new for her,” Bria said. “We are going to rely heavily on Jama and Sasha to score for us, but we need Jama to play the quarterback spot, we need her to run the show, and I believe she will do that. She has done a good job, and she is going to continue to get better.” Sophomore Cha Cha Williams will help provide depth in the Hatters’ frontcourt, and sophomore transfer Myeisha Hall will bring her athleticism and experience to the backcourt. Hall was named to the Colonial Athletic Association all-rookie team in 2011-12 at Old Dominion. The six talented freshmen joining the program this season are Stacia Allen, DeAsia Beal, Sydni Davis, Keara Finnerty, Amber Porter and Brianti Saunders. Allen, a 5-6 guard, helped lead Lima (Ohio) Senior High to a Division I sectional championship last year. Beal, a 5-9 guard, was named the Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference Division II Player of the Year at Holy Cross High School. Davis, a 5-2 guard, earned All-State honors her senior year at Southfield-Lathrup (Mich.) High School. Finnerty, a 5-9 guard, led the DC-metro area in 3-point field goals for three consecutive years. Saunders, a 5-4 guard and the Florida 1A Player of the Year, averaged over 24 points per game and help lead Hilliard to the State Semifinals. She was named the

district player of the year an amazing five times, and scored over 2,300 points in her prep career. The lone forward in the group is Porter, a 6-3 post player from Woodbridge, Va. Porter averaged over 27 points and 11 rebounds per game as a senior, helping lead Potomac High School to a district championship. Bria says the team is going to have to rely on its strong defensive play, especially early in the season. With 53 percent of the team’s scoring gone from last year’s team, including the team’s top two scorers, new individuals are going to have to step up and contribute offensively. “The biggest question that I have is, ‘Where are we going to score points?’” Bria said. “We are working on it, and I think the offense will come, but with losing so many points from last year, we have to have some people fill those roles and do it consistently. Last year, I never had to worry about telling Shanasa or Victoria to score. They were going to do that. This year, I think we share the ball a little bit more. We just have to have people want to step into those roles. I think it is going to come down to finding points. “If we get better every day, I think we will have a chance at the end. I don’t know how good we are going to be early, but I think the more we play together, the better this team is going to get.” The Hatters open the season on Nov. 8 at Oklahoma (see page 12 for schedule).

Junior Cherisse Burris

Junior Jama SharpJunior C.J. Coddington


VolleyballDate # Opponent TimeNOVEMBER 1 Fri. * USC Upstate 6:00 PM 2 Sat. * ETSU 5:00 PM 5 Tue. * at North Florida 6:00 PM 9 Sat. * at Florida Gulf Coast 2:00 PM 15 Fri. * at Lipscomb 7:30 PM 16 Sat. * at Northern Kentucky 3:00 PM 21 Thur. Atlantic Sun Quarterfinals 22 Fri. Atlantic Sun Semifinals 23 Sat. Atlantic Sun Championship* - Atlantic Sun Conference matchAll times Eastern and subject to changeHome matches in bold

Stetson Fall/Winter Sports Schedules

Women’s Basketball

Date Opponent TimeNOVEMBER 8 Fri. & at Oklahoma 8:00 PM 10 Sun. & Pre-Season WNIT TBA 13 Wed. & Pre-Season WNIT TBA 17 Sun. & Pre-Season WNIT TBA 18 Mon. Indiana State 6:00 PM 20 Wed. at Bethune-Cookman 7:00 PM 29 Fri. at Florida State 7:00 PMDECEMBER 2 Mon. at Florida A&M 6:00 PM 5 Thur. Palm Beach Atlantic 11:00 AM 8 Sun. at USF 1:00 PM 17 Tue. Charlotte 5:00 PM 20 Fri. % Murray State 1:00 PM 21 Sat. % Nicholls State 1:00 PMJANUARY 4 Sat. * at Florida Gulf Coast 7:05 PM 9 Thur. * USC Upstate 6:00 PM 11 Sat. * ETSU 1:00 PM 16 Thur. * at Mercer 7:00 PM 18 Sat. * at Kennesaw State 2:00 PM 23 Thur. * North Florida 7:00 PM 25 Sat. * Jacksonville 1:00 PM 30 Thur. * at Northern Kentucky 7:00 PMFEBRUARY 1 Sat. * at Lipscomb 5:00 PM 6 Thur. * at USC Upstate 7:00 PM 8 Sat. * at ETSU 1:30 PM 13 Thur. * Kennesaw State 7:00 PM 15 Sat. * Mercer 1:00 PM 20 Thur. * at North Florida 5:30 PM 22 Sat. * at Jacksonville 1:00 PM 27 Thur. * Northern Kentucky 7:00 PMMARCH 1 Sat. * Lipscomb 1:00 PM 8 Sat. * Florida Gulf Coast 1:00 PM 11 Tue. Atlantic Sun Quarterfinals TBA 15 Sat. Atlantic Sun Semifinals TBA 16 Sun. Atlantic Sun Championship TBA

& - Preseason WNIT% - Hatter Classic, DeLand, Fla.* - Atlantic Sun Conference gameAll times Eastern and subject to changeHome games in bold and played at the Edmunds Center

Football Men’s Basketball

Date Opponent TimeOCTOBER 26 Sat. % Tampa 1:00 PMNOVEMBER 4 Mon. % Palm Beach Atlantic 7:00 PM 8 Fri. at Clemson 7:00 PM 10 Sun. at Notre Dame 1:00 PM 14 Thur. at Florida A&M 7:00 PM 18 Mon. at Florida International 7:00 PM 22 Fri. at USF TBA 25 Mon. & vs. Wagner TBA 26 Tue. & Gulf Coast Showcase TBA 27 Wed. & Gulf Coast Showcase TBA 30 Sat. Davidson 1:00 PMDECEMBER 3 Tue. Bethune-Cookman 7:00 PM 7 Sat. at UCF 7:00 PM 17 Tue. Florida Atlantic 7:30 PM 30 Mon. * Lipscomb 7:00 PMJANUARY 1 Wed. * Northern Kentucky 1:00 PM 5 Sun. * Florida Gulf Coast 1:00 PM 9 Thur. * at Jacksonville TBA 11 Sat. * at North Florida 7:00 PM 16 Thur. * ETSU 7:00 PM 18 Sat. * USC Upstate 1:00 PM 23 Thur. * at Kennesaw State 7:00 PM 25 Sat. * at Mercer 3:00 PM 31 Fri. * at Florida Gulf Coast 7:00 PMFEBRUARY 6 Thur. * North Florida 7:00 PM 8 Sat. * Jacksonville 1:00 PM 13 Thur. * at USC Upstate 7:00 PM 15 Sat. * at ETSU 4:00 PM 21 Fri. * Kennesaw State 7:00 PM 23 Sun. * Mercer 1:00 PM 27 Thur. * at Northern Kentucky 7:00 PMMARCH 1 Sat. * at Lipscomb 11:00 AM 4 Tue. Atlantic Sun Quarterfinals TBA 6 Thur. Atlantic Sun Semifinals TBA 9 Sun. Atlantic Sun Championship TBA

% - Exhibition game& - Gulf Coast Showcase, Estero, Fla.* - Atlantic Sun Conference gameAll times Eastern and subject to changeHome games in bold and played at the Edmunds Center

Date # Opponent TimeNOVEMBER 2 Sat. * Campbell 1:00 PM 9 Sat. * Davidson 3:00 PM 16 Sat. at Jacksonville 1:00 PM 23 Sat. * at Mercer 4:00 PM

* - Pioneer Football League contestHome games in bold and played at Spec Martin Memorial StadiumAll times Eastern and subject to change

Men’s SoccerDate # Opponent TimeNOVEMBER 2 Sat. * at North Florida 7:00 PM 9 Sat. * at Jacksonville 7:00 PM 10 Sun. at Florida Atlantic 1:00 PM 13 Wed. A-Sun Quarterfinals TBA 15 Fri. A-Sun Semifinals TBA 17 Sun. A-Sun Championship TBA

* - Atlantic Sun Conference matchAll times Eastern and subject to change

Women’s SoccerDate Opponent TimeNOVEMBER 2 Sat. at Mercer (A-Sun QF) 7:00 PM 8 Fri. at A-Sun Semifinals 4 or 7:00 PM 10 Sun. at A-Sun Championship 1:00 PM

All times Eastern and subject to change


In 1915, a “chime” of 11 bells was delivered to the front of Elizabeth Hall. However, their arrival was less planned and more coincidence, as a canceled order in Pennsylvania made the set of bells available. Stetson, ever the resourceful university, seized the opportunity to bring the chimes to campus as the perfect addition for the beautiful grounds.

Originally, the bells were housed in the cupola of Elizabeth Hall. However, after many years, the wooden structure began to succumb to the sheer weight of the bells and consistent vibrations of the chimes. Thus, the bells were removed and were without a home until the construction of Hulley Tower in 1934. Originally standing 116 feet tall, Hulley Tower was the perfect location to feature the “Eloise Chimes,” renamed in honor of Stetson President Lincoln Hulley’s wife. The new location allowed for the bells to be played as well, and the chime’s peals could be heard across campus daily. Sadly, in 2005, Hulley Tower was found to be increasingly unstable due to extensive water damage. Failed again by structural integrity, the bells were removed. Some were placed throughout campus and DeLand, but the majority were placed in crates, where they remained for years until a new purpose was given to one. As Stetson’s first football season in over 50 years approached, the university began developing new initiatives that would contribute to the spirited atmosphere of home games. However, seeing as a game had not been held at Stetson for decades, the university

Big Green: Redeeming the Peal and Pridelacked the traditions necessary to cultivate a vibrant game-day experience. Thus, the team tasked with the responsibility of developing such traditions began considering options and benchmarking with other institutions. After a multitude of ideas had been crossed out, two staff members jokingly discussed building a massive version of the hand bells that were being given to students during FOCUS Orientation. Over several days though, this joke transformed into a serious initiative, especially after a phone call to Facility Services confirmed that the remaining Eloise Chimes were still being stored on campus, awaiting a purpose. After several weeks of coordinating with a local metalworking shop, DeLand Metal Craft, a partnership between Student Development and Campus Vibrancy, University Marketing, and Athletics ensured the funding was present to support the project. “Big Green,” as it has become known due to its weathered patina, is a 1-ton bell from the original set of chimes, and is also the subject of one of Stetson’s cheers, “Let’s go Big Green!” Present at every home football game, the bell rings as the team takes the field, after each touchdown and field goal, at the start and end of halftime, and at the conclusion of the game. Big Green also rings once after every first-down conversion. The bell is “kept” and managed by a new organization called Varsity. Varsity is a student-led organization focused on maintaining and growing pride, spirit, and tradition within the

Stetson community. After being secretly hand-selected by the university, members participate in an initiation process. The organization also leads pep rallies and other spirited events throughout the year. However, Big Green and her keepers are symbols of a larger story occurring within the communal fabric of the institution. Admittedly, Stetson has not always been known as a particularly spirited university. Nevertheless, the school is redefining itself – taking hold of something new, a new identity, one marked by ubiquitous pride and fervent spirit. Some of the signs of change are small, while others literally weigh a ton. The peal and pride are working together, redeeming one another, redefining a university. If you have questions about Big Green, feel free to contact Varsity at [email protected].

The bells were removed from Hulley Tower in 2005.

The bells were originally housed in Elizabeth Hall.


STETSON SPIRIT

Stetson Fight Song Stetson U will win the game, Listen to our cheer, GO HATTERS!Shout the glory of your name, Spread it far and near, YEA HATTERS!Alma mater praise to theeAnd our teammates true, GO HATTERS!Marching on to victoryLet’s GO, HATTERS, GO!

Stetson Alma Mater

Dear Alma Mater,Smile Upon Thy Children;Gladly We Greet Thee,Altogether Lovely;Peace Be Within ThyClassic Halls And Temples.Hail, Alma Mater Dear

Dear Alma Mater,Tenderly Thy ChildrenGather And Bring To TheeGracious Salutations;Comrades, Your VoicesLift Once Again In Chorus,Hail, Alma Mater Dear.

Stetson Cheer Razzmatazz RazzmatazzHatter Hooty HooWe are STETSONWho the heck are you?

Hullaballoo Hat KnuckleFlim flam flopWe are STETSONAnd we can’t be TOPPED


The Stetson sand volleyball program was one of 130 recipients on the NCAA Division I level to be honored with the AVCA Team Academic Award. The Hatters also saw 19 of its student-athletes earn A-Sun All-Academic Team honors in 2012-13. Meanwhile, seven Stetson University softball student-athletes were named 2012-13 All-America Scholar-Athletes by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. The Hatter honorees were Mallory Brooks, Jordan Cleghorn, Jessica Griffin, Brittany Hawn, Chrissy Morello, Chelsea Whalley and K.K. Woolington. To earn NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete accolades, a player must carry a GPA of 3.50 or higher during the previous academic year. The Hatters posted a 3.37 team GPA for the 2012-13 academic year, which ranked as the 34th-highest team GPA in all of Division I.

For the second straight year, the Stetson sand volleyball program has been selected as a recipient of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award. The award is presented annually to volleyball programs who maintain at least a 3.3 cumulative grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. The Hatters completed the 2012-13 academic year with a 3.40 team GPA. “The scholar-athletes on our team worked very hard in the classroom to achieve this award,” Stetson volleyball head coach Tim Loesch said. “The sand volleyball team has made earning this award a tradition, having done so in both years of existence. This accomplishment is even more meaningful because Stetson is such a prestigious academic university. I’m very proud of our players for their studies and helping Stetson win the Atlantic Sun Academic Cup last year.”

Tip of the Hat: Academic Success

2013-14 HonorsCross CountryRunner of the Week ..................................................................Amanda Spring (Sept. 11)

FootballPFL Defensive Player of the Week ................Donald Payne (three times - Sept. 1, 8, 22)PFL co-Special Teams Player of the Week ............................James LaGamma (Sept. 2)Sports Network FCS National Freshman of the Week .................Donald Payne (Sept. 2)CFPA National Linebacker of the Week .....................................Donald Payne (Sept. 22)

Women’s SoccerA-Sun Defensive Player of the Week .......................................... Danielle Hurme (Oct. 7)

Men’s SoccerMercer Classic all-tournament team ......................................Steven Saballos, J.J. BosticA-Sun Defensive Player of the Week ......................................Andreas Schnabl (Oct. 21)A-Sun Player of the Week ....................................................................JJ Bostic (Oct. 28)

VolleyballUniWyo Invitational all-tournament team .....................................................Kaley MelvilleWestin Classic co-MVP .........................................................Kaley Melville, Kayla WellerWestin Classic all-tournament team .....................................Madison Akins, Ellen HawksLion Classic all-tournament team .......................................Tiffany Creamer, Ellen HawksA-Sun Defensive Player of the Week ............................................. Ellen Hawks (Sept. 9)A-Sun Player of the Week .......................................................... Kaley Melville (Sept. 23)A-Sun Freshman of the Week ................Tiffany Creamer (two times, Sept. 23, Sept. 30)

Women’s BasketballA-Sun Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, all-conference team............Sasha Sims Danielle Hurme


Giulia Vandenberg (left) and Dirk Kuehler (right) will help lead the Stetson golf teams at the Hatter Classic Nov. 4-5.

The Stetson men’s and women’s golf teams host their annual fall tournaments the first week in November, with both events taking place Nov. 4-5, at Victoria Hills Golf Club in DeLand. Both tournaments are being hosted with the Central Florida Sports Commission. Participating teams in the men’s Stetson Invitational include Bethune-Cookman, Embry-Riddle, Florida A&M, Florida Atlantic, Palm Beach Atlantic, St. Leo and Savannah State. The event, which has been staged every year since beginning in 2002, was won by UCF in 2012. The Hatters finished eighth in the nine-team field last season, but head coach Larry Watson vows that won’t be the case this year. “Last year, we finished next-to-last in our own tournament. We aren’t going to let that happen again,” said Watson. “We also want to build this tournament back up and turn it back into one of the better tournaments in the state.” The 2013 fall season has been one full of promise for a young Hatter squad that features two freshmen and two sophomores among its top five players. Despite their youth, Stetson earned two top-10 finishes in its first three tournaments of the fall. Sophomore Dustin Dingus (72.8) and freshman Dirk Kuehler (73.7) own the top strokes averages for the Hatters.

Hatter Classic on Tap for Stetson Golf Teams

“The fall has been part of a stepping-stone process for us,” said Watson. “When the season began, we knew what our goals were, and we planned on each event to be a step on the ladder toward us achieving those goals. Part of our goal is to be ready for the A-Sun championship in April. We want to go from last to first.” On the women’s side, head coach Floyd Kerr and the Hatters are looking for the seventh consecutive tournament win in the Hatter Classic. Stetson has won the tournament each year since 2007. “This year’s field isn’t very big, but we have an outstanding local flavor,” said Kerr. “I guess you could call this the Battle of Volusia County.” The five-team field includes Bethune-Cookman, junior-college power Daytona State, Florida Atlantic and fellow Atlantic Sun Conference member USC Upstate. The Hatters will likely field a pair of teams at the tournament, bringing the total to six squads. Stetson senior Sammi Smith is the defending champion. Smith fired an 8-over-par 224, winning by five strokes. Despite the small field, Kerr expects a competitive tournament. “Daytona State is probably the best junior-college program in the country, and we’ve won the thing six straight years,” said Kerr. “Bethune-Cookman can’t be ignored

either, and FAU has some outstanding individual players, too. Plus, USC Upstate is a conference opponent, and you know they’ll give you their best.” The Hatters have enjoyed a strong fall season, earning three top-five finishes in four tournaments. Stetson finished third at the JU Classic in mid-October, with Giulia Vandenberg (t-4th) and Alessandra Kutz (t-8th) earning top-10 finishes. Both tournaments are free and open to the public. Tournament times are set for a shotgun start each day at 7:30 a.m.

2013 Hatter Classic

When: Monday, Nov. 4, & Tuesday, Nov. 5

Where: Victoria Hills Golf Club

Format: 54 holes (36 Monday, 18 Tuesday)

Start Time: 7:30 a.m. (shotgun)

Participating Teams, Men: Bethune-Cookman, Embry-Riddle, Florida A&M, Florida Atlantic, Palm Beach Atlantic, Saint Leo, Savannah State, Stetson

Participating Teams, Women: Bethune-Cookman, Daytona State, Florida Atlantic, Stetson, USC Upstate


STETSON HATTERS MOBILE APPNOW AVAILABLE ON

iPHONE and ANDROIDDownload the Stetson Hatters mobile app and get all the latest in Stetson Athletics in a simple, interactive interface on your mobile device. Stay connected to the latest news, scores and schedules, and rosters for all your favorite Hatters sports teams!

The Premium version of this app grants access to live audio of Stetson games and exclusive on-demand video from Hatter Vision, including press conferences, player and coach interviews, and much more!


For the 2013-14 season, the Stetson men’s and women’s basketball games will once again be heard on the radio at WSBB 1230 AM New Smyrna Beach, 1490 AM DeLand, MyAM1230.com and the new WSBB iPhone and Android app. The network is scheduled to carry all 30 regular season men’s basketball games plus a minimum of 14 games for the defending Atlantic Sun Conference champion women’s basketball team. In addition to the radio broadcasts of the games, all Stetson men’s and women’s home games will be available online through HatterVision, and road conference games can be seen on ASun.TV. Here are short bios on the voices you will be hearing during the 2013-14 basketball seasons.

Robbie AaronRobbie Aaron, Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations for the Daytona Cubs over the past four years, returns for his second season as the play-by-play announcer for Stetson Men’s Basketball. In 2013, in addition to broadcasting for the Daytona Cubs, Aaron joined Len Kasper & Jim Deshaies on a Chicago Cubs TV broadcast at Wrigley Field, and did the same in 2012

with the New York Mets and broadcasters Gary Cohen, Ron Darling and Kevin Burkhardt. In 2011, Aaron not only broadcast all 146 Daytona Cubs games, including the FSL Championship, but was also honored by being elected to broadcast the 2011 FSL All-Star game in Clearwater for MiLB. Aaron broadcast for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in 2010, the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, serving as the studio host and producer on ESPN radio of the Lehigh Valley. Aaron has also worked for SNY, the TV home of the New York Mets, WFAN, sports radio 660AM in New York, and has broadcast in the Cape Cod League for the Harwich Mariners.Aaron is a 2009 graduate of Lehigh University in Pennsylvania and is a native of Port Washington, N.Y., on Long Island.

Ryan RouseNo stranger to fans of Stetson Athletics, Ryan Rouse has been the voice of Stetson baseball for the past two seasons in addition to serving in a play-by-play role for men’s and women’s soccer and volleyball games. Last year, he partnered with Robbie Aaron on broadcasts of Stetson men’s basketball games, and he is set to move into the role of play-by-play

voice for the Stetson women’s hoops team this year. A native of Sarasota, Rouse is a 2009 graduate of UCF, where he majored in Interpersonal/Organizational Communication. During his time at UCF, he served as Director of Broadcasting for Knightcast Student Radio, and he has also done work for both the Orlando Magic and Tampa Bay Rays.

Hatters on the Airwaves

The Stetson men’s basketball team will be showcased on ESPN3 a total of nine times during the upcoming 2013-14 season, and the Stetson women’s basketball team will be featured a minimum of five times via ESPN3.com and the WatchESPN app for mobile devices. The Stetson volleyball team will be featured on ESPN3 in its Nov. 15 match at Lipscomb, as well as in every match the team plays in the Atlantic Sun Championship (Nov. 21-23). ESPN3 and WatchESPN are available to fans who receive ESPN’s linear networks as part of their video subscription from Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks, Verizon FiOS TV, Comcast Xfinity TV or Midcontinent Communications, Cablevision or Cox Communications. The app is available free to download for Android devices from the Google Play store and Amazon Appstore and for Apple devices from the App Store, streamed on televisions via Xbox and Apple TV, as well as online via WatchESPN.com. Here is a composite schedule of the games where Stetson will be featured on ESPN3:

Date Sport Opponent Time Nov. 8 Men’s BKB at Clemson 7:00 pm Nov. 10 Men’s BKB at Notre Dame 1:00 pm Nov. 15 Volleyball at Lipscomb 7:30 pm Nov. 21 Volleyball at A-Sun Quarterfinals TBA Nov. 22 Volleyball at A-Sun Semifinals TBA Nov. 22 Men’s BKB at USF 7:00 pm Nov. 23 Volleyball at A-Sun Championship TBA Nov. 29 Women’s BKB at Florida State 7:00 pm Dec. 7 Men’s BKB at UCF 7:00 pm Jan. 4 Women’s BKB at Florida Gulf Coast 7:00 pm Jan. 5 Men’s BKB Florida Gulf Coast (CSS) 1:00 pm Jan. 18 Women’s BKB at Kennesaw State 2:00 pm Jan. 23 Men’s BKB at Kennesaw State 7:00 pm Jan. 31 Men’s BKB at Florida Gulf Coast (CSS) 7:00 pm Feb. 1 Women’s BKB at Lipscomb 5:00 pm Feb. 6 Women’s BKB at USC Upstate 7:00 pm Feb. 13 Men’s BKB at USC Upstate 7:00 pm Mar. 1 Men’s BKB at Lipscomb 11:00 am Mar. 6 Men’s BKB A-Sun Semifinals (CSS) TBA Mar. 9 Men’s BKB A-Sun Championship (ESPN2) TBA Mar. 15 Women’s BKB A-Sun Semifinals TBA Mar. 16 Women’s BKB A-Sun Championship (CSS) TBACSS - Game also televised on CSSESPN2 - Game also televised on ESPN2

Hatters on ESPN3

November 2013

Since Stetson’s founding, the City of DeLand and Stetson University have enjoyed a shared history. Both have recognized that for each to be succssful, the other must also succeed. To continue that success, both have partnered in various ways for years. The City recognizes Stetson is a wonderful partner and a great community asset that enhances DeLand’s quality of life. DeLand and Stetson truly enjoy a unique relationship.

In athletics, a mutually beneficial partnership was forged when both worked together to construct Melching Field at Conrad Park to house the Stetson baseball program. When Stetson decided to reintroduce football, crafting another partnership with the City made football financially feasible. To have a quality non-scholarship football program and an enhanced spectator experience, improvements were needed to DeLand’s Spec Martin Stadium, the home of DeLand High School football. The stadium needed a new, modern press box, more team locker space, new turf, a premium scoreboard, improved seating, and other miscellaneous improvements.

The improvements cost $4,500,000, which was funded in part by the City of DeLand. Additionally, Stetson and the City entered into a 20-year stadium lease. Under the agreement, Stetson pays rental fees for stadium use and shares with the City a percentage of certain other revenues. The agreement is projected to generate $2,160,000 for the City with a guaranteed base rent of $1,400,000, over the lease term. Stetson benefited by not having the capital cost to build a stadium or any upfront capital cost with the City’s stadium improvements, allowing Stetson to use its resources to build the Athletic Training Center to house football, women’s lacrosse and other sports programs.

DeLand now has a much-improved stadium and receives a significant economic impact. Stetson provides the community with NCAA college football, increased enrollment and new jobs. When Stetson began talking about its football program, the City realized the potential economic boost this could be for the community. Football games would draw visitors to the City, who would spend money at local businesses.

The increased student enrollment attracted by the football and lacrosse programs, plus needed additional faculty and staff, will have a direct impact on the local economy. In a study done, it was estimated that $282,960 annually will be spent by the increased enrollment. The total number of jobs created locally over a four-year period resulting from this partnership was projected to be 194. Besides the economic benefit for area businesses, Stetson will also realize an economic benefit. The increased enrollment has a projected total impact to Stetson’s revenues of $16,237,632 annually.

The City/Stetson football partnership ushered in a new era of Stetson football and created an economic boost for the City and Stetson. This collaborative partnership has created a new excitement on campus and in the DeLand area. This partnership is an absolute win-win for the entire DeLand community.

Mayor-Commissioner Robert F. ApgarCity of DeLand

hooty hoo (november 2013)

Documents

homecoming celebrations

homecoming schedule5from

special homecoming

homecoming issueissue

stetson university archives

hootyhoo schedule

football program

hatter classic golf