DELAND, Fla. – Five members of the Stetson men's rowing team have been named 2026 Empacher-IRCA Scholar Athletes, the Intercollegiate Rowing Coaches Association (IRCA) announced.
Representing the Hatters on this year's list are Endrik Brettmann, Chris Furton, Walker Hollmann, Sacha Roiena, and Elliott Steward.
Presented by Empacher Bootswerft, the Empacher-IRCA Scholar Athlete award recognizes collegiate rowers and coxswains who have demonstrated excellence both academically and athletically.
To earn the distinction, student-athletes must be in at least their second year of eligibility, compete in one of their program's top three boats during the season or at the 2026 IRA National Championship, and maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.50 through the fall semester.
This year, 676 rowers and coxswains from 55 teams representing 48 collegiate programs met the award's criteria, highlighting the select group of student-athletes recognized by the IRCA.
The five honorees helped guide the Hatters through one of the program's most successful recent seasons. Stetson captured the Men's Varsity 8+ B Final at the SIRA Championship, earned a silver medal in the Men's Second Varsity 4+ at the Dad Vail Regatta, and concluded the year by competing at the IRA National Championship on Lake Natoma in Sacramento, California.
Stetson's 2026 Empacher-IRCA Scholar Athletes
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
