DELAND, Fla. – Stetson men's and women's rowing has announced its 2026-2027 competition schedule, featuring a mix of home races on Lake Beresford and competitive travel opportunities for both programs.
"We're excited about the opportunities this schedule provides for both of our programs," Director of Rowing Jamie Francis said. "Our student-athletes will have the chance to race against some outstanding competition while continuing to build our teams. On the men's side, we're looking forward to hosting the inaugural Rausch Cup in Sarasota, and the women's team will compete in the Conference Challenge Cup at the Gifford Pinchot Sprints. Both events will bring together some of the top programs in our region and conference to provide great racing opportunities as we prepare for championship season."
Women's Schedule
The women's team hopes to begin its season at the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Oct. 16-18 before returning home to host Head of the Further South on Nov. 14.
The spring racing schedule opens with a home dual against Bates College on Feb. 20. The Hatters will then host three consecutive home events with the Hatter Invitational (March 6), Stetson Showdown (March 13), and Stetson Invitational (March 20).
Stetson heads to Sarasota for the Sarasota 2K on March 26-27 before competing at the SIRA Regional Championship Regatta in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, on April 17-18.
One of the highlights of the season comes on April 24 when the Hatters travel to Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, for the Gifford Pinchot Sprints, which will feature the Conference Challenge Cup. For the first time ever, this one-of-a-kind event brings together programs from the Metro Conference and the Atlantic 10 Conference for head-to-head racing.
The postseason begins at the Metro Conference Championship Regatta in Camden, New Jersey, on May 15-16. If all goes as planned, they will then wrap up the season at the NCAA National Championship Regatta in Sarasota, Florida, on May 28-30.
Men's Schedule
The men's team also opens the year at the Head of the Charles Regatta before hosting Head of the Further South in DeLand on Nov. 14.
The Hatters return to action in the spring with a home race against Bates College on Feb. 20, followed by the Hatter Invitational (March 6), Stetson Showdown (March 13), and Stetson Invitational (March 20).
After racing at the Sarasota 2K and the SIRA Regional Championship Regatta, Stetson will attend the Rausch Cup in Sarasota on April 23. The event is designed to bring together the varsity men's rowing programs in the Southeast for a day of racing.
The Hatters will then compete at the Dad Vail Regatta in Camden, New Jersey, on May 7-8 before closing out the season at the IRA National Championship in Mercer, New Jersey, on May 28-30.
With a competitive schedule ahead and several home events on the calendar, the Hatters look forward to another exciting season on the water! Go Hatters!
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.
