On the heels of the best football season at Stetson since 1951, Hatters coach Roger Hughes has been selected as one of 15 finalists for the 2018 Eddie Robinson Award.
 
This is the 32^nd year for the award, which is presented annually by STATS FCS to the national coach of the year.
 
Named for the legendary coach of Grambling State and first presented in 1987, the Robinson Award's esteemed list of winners include Mark Duffner, Erk Russell, Chris Ault, Jim Tressel, Houston Nutt, Andy Talley, Paul Johnson, Joe Glenn, Mike Ayers, Jerry Kill, Jerry Moore, K.C. Keeler and two-time winners Mickey Matthews, Sean McDonnell and Craig Bohl.
 
This year's finalists include at least one from all 13 FCS conferences. A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will select the winner.
 
Hughes, who completed his sixth season as the leader of the Hatters' program, led Stetson to a six-win improvement from 2017, the second-best mark in the FCS this year. Picked ninth in the Pioneer Football League preseason poll, the Hatters tied for second in the league race.
 
Stetson's overall record of 8-2 was the best for the program since the 1951 team went 8-1-2, including a victory over Arkansas State in the Tangerine Bowl. It is just the third time in the history of the program that Stetson has posted eight victories in a season.
 
The Eddie Robinson Award will be presented at the STATS FCS Awards Banquet on Jan. 4 in Frisco, Texas. At the banquet, STATS will also present the Walter Payton Award (FCS offensive player of the year), the Buck Buchanan Award (FCS defensive player of the year), the Jerry Rice Award (FCS freshman player of the year) and the Doris Robinson FCS Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
 
Stetson senior tight end Donald Parham, who finished the season as the Division I (FCS &FBS) leader in both receptions per game (9.4) and receiving yards per game (146.6) is one of 25 finalists for the Walter Payton Award. Freshman running back Jareem Westcott, who ranks eighth among all freshmen in FCS in rushing yards with 774 and is tied for the FCS lead among freshmen with 13 rushing touchdowns, is one of 20 finalists for the Jerry Rice Award.
 
About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program has a vision of developing a culture of champions athletically, academically and within the community. This vision is accomplished through a mission of recruiting and developing student-athletes, coaches and staff, creating a culture of champions, within and outside of competition. The department operates with five core values: Championship Culture, Integrity, Excellence, Pride/Tradition and Leadership. To learn more about the Vision, Mission and Core Values for Stetson Athletics, visit GoHatters.com and click on Mission Statement under the Inside Athletics tab.