Stetson University Athletics

Opened in 2019, the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center serves as the permanent home of Stetson University's intercollegiate rowing programs.

The two-story facility sits on 10 acres along picturesque Lake Beresford, approximately seven miles from Stetson's DeLand campus. The lake connects with the St. Johns River and provides the Hatters with a scenic and expansive training environment.

Stetson's rowing program was established in 1988, and the opening of the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center marked the beginning of a new era for the program. The facility provides dedicated space for training, equipment storage, team operations and competition while also serving as a destination for visiting rowing programs.

Construction began following a ceremonial groundbreaking in April 2017 before the facility officially opened in February 2019. The project was made possible in large part through a $6 million gift from Sandra Stetson, the great-granddaughter of university namesake John B. Stetson.

The center was designed to support both Stetson Athletics and the University's academic mission, creating a unique environment where rowing, environmental science, research and community programming coexist on the same waterfront property.

The first floor of the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center is dedicated largely to Stetson Rowing and includes a large storage bay capable of housing dozens of racing shells and training equipment.

Some of the crew boats housed inside the facility measure up to 58 feet in length, making the expansive storage and staging areas an important part of the daily operation of the program.

Lake Beresford's protected waters also provide a warm-weather training destination for visiting high school and collegiate rowing programs. The lake's connection to the St. Johns River and its generally favorable rowing conditions have helped establish the area as a valuable training location.

The facility remains an active competition site for the Hatters, hosting Stetson rowing events and visiting programs throughout the season. Recent Stetson schedules have included home competitions such as the Hatter Invitational and Stetson Showdown at the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center.

What sets the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center apart from many collegiate rowing facilities is its dual purpose.

While the first floor serves Stetson Rowing, the second floor houses the University's Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience and supports academic field research, environmental education and community programming.

The Institute promotes interdisciplinary learning and research while addressing issues involving water resources, sustainability, climate adaptation and environmental resilience. The Field Station includes laboratory and classroom spaces, conference and meeting areas, offices and outdoor learning opportunities overlooking Lake Beresford.

The surrounding property extends that mission beyond the building itself. The site includes outdoor educational areas, a boardwalk, native landscaping and public access features designed to connect visitors with the natural environment surrounding Lake Beresford.

The University's Bartram Gardens & Trail also helps interpret the native plants, wildlife and natural history of the region, connecting the property to the legacy of naturalist William Bartram and his exploration of Florida.

Lake Beresford provides a distinctive setting for Stetson Rowing. Located along the St. Johns River system, the lake offers the Hatters a scenic training environment while placing the program within one of Central Florida's most significant natural waterways.

The aquatic center sits directly across the water from the historic Lake Beresford Yacht Club, which was founded in 1944.

For Stetson student-athletes, the combination of dedicated rowing facilities and direct waterfront access has transformed the day-to-day experience of training and competing in DeLand.