DeLAND, Fla. – Stetson baseball senior
Paul Napolitano was recently highlighted as part of the university's recognition on Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society's 2026 Transfer Honor Roll, showcasing his success both as a student and student-athlete since arriving in DeLand.
Stetson was named to the national Transfer Honor Roll for its efforts in supporting students transferring from two-year institutions as they pursue bachelor's degrees. The recognition evaluates four-year institutions across areas including transfer student success, credit mobility and degree applicability, financial support, recruitment and admissions practices, and campus engagement and support.
Napolitano, a native of Rockville Centre, New York, was featured by Stetson Today as one of the university's transfer success stories. A member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for students at two-year colleges, Napolitano transferred to Stetson following his freshman season at Seminole State and has continued both his academic and baseball careers in DeLand.
Membership in Phi Theta Kappa is by invitation only, with most chapters requiring students to maintain a 3.5 GPA or higher. An English major, Napolitano has continued to excel academically while balancing the demands of competing at the NCAA Division I level.
"Paul represents everything that is great about our program and university. He is a great teammate and holds himself to the highest standard academically," said Stetson Baseball Head Coach Shane Gierke. "I'm proud of everything Paul has achieved here at Stetson on and off the field."
On the field, Napolitano has carved out a role with the Hatters over his first two seasons in DeLand, appearing in 40 games with 20 starts. His role increased during the 2026 season, when he appeared in 27 games and made 18 starts while contributing both offensively and defensively for the Hatters.
Napolitano also followed a familiar path to DeLand. His brother previously played baseball for the Hatters during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, and Napolitano cited his brother's experience at Stetson, along with the baseball program and university community, among the reasons he chose to become a Hatter.
"The relationships I've developed here make me feel like there are a lot of people in my corner," Napolitano told Stetson Today. "My professors care about me and the work I'm doing to earn a degree in English. That's one of the benefits of Stetson – it really feels like a family here in all aspects."
Stetson's inclusion on the 2026 Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll recognizes the university for its efforts in creating opportunities and pathways for transfer students to successfully complete their bachelor's degrees. The Honor Roll uses data from the National Student Clearinghouse and PTK Connect to evaluate how institutions support transfer students throughout their collegiate experience.
For the latest information on Stetson Baseball, visit GoHatters.com and follow @StetsonBaseball on social media.
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.
