College Sports Established
1883
Location
DeLand, Florida
College Name
Stetson University
Collegiate History
1985 - Present / NCAA Division I
Conference History
1985 - Present / ASUN Conference
Nickname
Hatters - The Stetson Hatters are a NCAA Division I college athletic program in DeLand, Florida. The school is known for its unique nickname and exciting backstory.
The “Hatters” nickname originated in 1883 when John B. Stetson founded the university and established a hat factory on campus that produced hundreds of different hats daily. These hats were popular with students and faculty alike, leading to them becoming known as “Hatters” due to their association with Stetson Hats.
In addition to being associated with quality headwear, the term "hatters" was also used by local farmers who lived near DeLand at the time as slang for anyone who worked hard or kept busy all day - just like those employed in John B.'s hat factory! This connection ultimately led to it becoming adopted as the official mascot name when sports teams began forming at what was then called John B. Stetson University (now referred to as "Stetson").
Today, fans proudly wear their beloved Hatter gear while cheering on their favorite teams during games - from baseball and basketball through football season! Whether you're attending your first game or celebrating another championship, win alongside fellow alumni members around town – make sure you don't forget your trusty fedora or another classic style of the cap from one of America's oldest collegiate hat makers: The Legendary House Of STETSON®!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
- 1901
- 1971
- 1996
- 2017
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Stetson fields its first intercollegiate athletic team
In 1901, Stetson University fielded its first intercollegiate athletic team, which was a football squad. Here are some additional details about this significant event: The formation of the football team marked Stetson University’s entry into the realm of organized collegiate athletics. Football was a popular sport in the early 20th century, and many universities were establishing teams to compete against ... -
Hatters’ baseball team earns a berth in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship
In 1971: The Hatters’ baseball team earns a berth in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, its first appearance in the tournament. -
Hatters men’s basketball team secures its first conference championship in the TAAC
In 1996: The Hatters men’s basketball team secures its first conference championship in the TAAC, earning a spot in the NCAA Division I tournament. -
Stetson’s men’s basketball team wins the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship
In 2017: Stetson’s men’s basketball team wins the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship and earns a spot in the NCAA Division I tournament.
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
History of the Hatters
The Stetson Hatters have a long and storied history in NCAA sports. Founded in 1883, the school has competed at the Division I level since its inception. The Hatters are members of the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) and field teams in men's basketball, baseball, golf, tennis, and cross country, as well as women's softball, volleyball, and soccer.
The most successful program for Stetson is undoubtedly their baseball team which has made 10 trips to College World Series over the years, including two CWS championships back-to-back in 1956 & 1957 under legendary coach Pete Dunn. The team also won ASUN titles five times between 2004 & 2017 while making several appearances at regionals during this stretch too! In addition to these successes on the diamond, they’ve had some great moments on hardwood, too, with multiple tournament bids throughout their existence, including one Sweet 16 appearance when they were still part of the Trans America Athletic Conference (TAAC).
While not consistently competitively successful across all programs, there is no doubt that Stetson athletics have left an indelible mark on college sports history with their iconic green caps, which can be seen everywhere from Little League fields to Major League Baseball stadiums around North America today!
Sports Fan Products
