Tradition • Pride • Championships
Why Hatters?
From Florida's first college football team to conference championships and NCAA postseason appearances, Stetson Athletics carries more than a century of tradition. The Hatter name, the green and white, John B. and generations of student-athletes have created an identity unlike any other in college athletics.
The Story Behind the Hatters
The unlikely combination of a famous hat manufacturer and a university produced one of the most distinctive nicknames in college athletics. Stetson's athletic teams are called the Hatters, reflecting the University's association with John B. Stetson, maker of the well-known Stetson hats.
It all began in 1883 when Henry DeLand founded the DeLand Academy. Three years later, after a disastrous freeze affecting the citrus industry left DeLand in financial distress, Stetson, who had a winter home in DeLand, became interested in the school. At DeLand's request, Stetson was made chairman of the Board of Trustees in 1889 and the university was renamed in his honor.
Stetson University fielded the first football team in Florida in 1901. The name "Hatter" was used then and remains proudly in use today.
Hatter Heritage
1883 UNIVERSITY ROOTS | 1901 FIRST FOOTBALL TEAM | HATTERS THEN. HATTERS NOW.
Championship Tradition
A Legacy of Hatter Success
Conference championships and NCAA postseason appearances have long been part of the Stetson Athletics story. From historic championship programs to a recent surge across the department, generations of Hatters have carried the Green and White onto the national stage.
Baseball
One of the ASUN's most decorated programs, Stetson Baseball has captured 10 conference tournament championships and made 20 NCAA Regional appearances. The 2018 Hatters swept both the ASUN regular-season and tournament championships, hosted an NCAA Regional at Melching Field and advanced to the first Super Regional in program history. Stetson returned to the top of the league in 2024 as ASUN Regular Season Co-Champions and ASUN Tournament Champions before earning another conference title and NCAA Regional berth in 2025.
Softball
Stetson Softball owns six ASUN Championship titles, beginning with three consecutive crowns from 1986-88 and later championships in 2007, 2014 and 2026. The Hatters returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2026 after a record-breaking season and added another chapter to program history with a postseason victory over Florida State in the Tallahassee Regional.
Beach Volleyball
Stetson Beach Volleyball has developed into one of the University's most consistently successful programs. The Hatters won four ASUN Championships in a five-year span through 2018, captured back-to-back conference titles in 2022 and 2023 and returned to the top of the league in 2026. That championship marked the program's eighth ASUN crown and sent Stetson back to the NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship.
Women's Tennis
A championship tradition in women's tennis dates to ASUN titles in 1986, 1987 and 1989. Stetson returned to the conference summit in 2022, winning its fourth league crown while producing one of the finest seasons in program history. The Hatters later captured the 2024 ASUN Championship after going a perfect 10-0 in league play and repeated as conference champions in 2025, earning NCAA Tournament appearances along the way.
Men's Basketball
Stetson Men's Basketball made program history in 2024, winning the ASUN Championship in front of a packed Edmunds Center and advancing to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament for the first time in program history.
Men's Soccer
Stetson Men's Soccer added another championship season to its history in 2024, capturing the ASUN Regular Season Championship and continuing the program's tradition as a contender at the top of the conference.
Men's Tennis
After reaching three consecutive ASUN Championship matches, Stetson Men's Tennis broke through in 2026 with a dramatic 4-3 victory over North Florida to capture the first ASUN Championship in program history. The title also secured the Hatters' first NCAA Tournament appearance.
Men's & Women's Golf
Both Stetson golf programs reached the NCAA postseason in Spring 2026 behind the conference's top individual performers. Isaki Sakashita was named ASUN Women's Golfer of the Year and represented the Hatters at the NCAA Tallahassee Regional, while Matthis Lefèvre earned ASUN Men's Golfer of the Year honors and competed at the NCAA Athens Regional.
The Hatters' Recent Championship Run
2018
Baseball: ASUN Regular Season & Tournament Champions • NCAA Regional Champions • First NCAA Super Regional appearance
Beach Volleyball: ASUN Champions • Fourth conference tournament title in five seasons • Program-record 30 victories
2022
Women's Tennis: ASUN Champions • First conference title since 1989 • First NCAA Division I Tournament berth in program history
2023
Beach Volleyball: ASUN Champions • Seventh championship in program history • NCAA Championship berth
2024
Baseball: ASUN Regular Season Co-Champions • ASUN Tournament Champions • NCAA Tallahassee Regional
Men's Basketball: ASUN Champions • First NCAA Tournament appearance in program history
Women's Tennis: Perfect 10-0 ASUN season • ASUN Champions • NCAA Regional appearance
Men's Soccer: ASUN Regular Season Champions
2025
Baseball: ASUN Co-Tournament Champions • 10th conference title • 20th NCAA Regional appearance
Women's Tennis: Back-to-back ASUN Champions • NCAA Tournament berth
2026
Beach Volleyball: Eighth ASUN Championship • NCAA Championship berth
Men's Tennis: First ASUN Championship • First NCAA Tournament appearance
Softball: Sixth ASUN Championship • NCAA Tallahassee Regional
Women's Golf: Isaki Sakashita named ASUN Golfer of the Year • NCAA Tallahassee Regional
Men's Golf: Matthis Lefèvre named ASUN Golfer of the Year • NCAA Athens Regional
The official Stetson colors are a rich dark green (PMS 343) and white, representing the trees and orange blossoms prevalent in the Central Florida area. White represents purity, and green, significant growth.
At the first commencement in 1893, the stage was decorated in green and white. These colors also were used at the beginning of intercollegiate athletics in Florida. Newspaper accounts of the first Florida college football game in 1901 told of Stetson fans waving their colors of green and white as they cheered their team to victory.
Hatter Tradition
Stetson Fight Song
Stetson U will win the game,
Listen to our cheer,
GO HATTERS!
Shout the glory of your name,
Spread it far and near,
YEA HATTERS!
Alma Mater, praise to thee,
And our teammates true,
GO HATTERS!
Marching on to victory,
Let's GO, HATTERS, GO!
John B. — The Stetson Mascot
Stetson University's Hatter mascot has taken on a variety of looks over the past 60 years — from a 10-gallon hat with big eyes and curled eyelashes to a leprechaun-looking Mad Hatter. There was even a pot-bellied statue that stood on the Hat Rack patio from 1959-67.
The previous version, a Mad Hatter with a crazy "Doc Brown" hairstyle and giant teeth, was rumored to have scared children and stopped making public appearances in the 1990s.
In spring 2011, Stetson kicked off a Mascot Challenge to give the Hatters a new look and personality. Alumni, students, faculty, staff, student organizations and university departments were invited to submit ideas and drawings, and everyone including the general public was given an opportunity to vote on the 70 creative submissions.
On Jan. 20, 2012, John B. made his first public appearance at halftime of the Hatters' Atlantic Sun Conference basketball game against Florida Gulf Coast. With his signature Stetson hat, green bandana and alligator skin boots, John B. delighted the crowd while performing with the Stetson cheerleaders.
On Oct. 2, 2021, John B. received another makeover, debuting a slimmer, more muscular look to complement Stetson's rebranding efforts. Today, he remains a fixture at Stetson athletic competitions and other campus and community events.
Forever Green & White
Alma Mater
Dear Alma Mater,
Smile Upon Thy Children;
Gladly We Greet Thee,
Altogether Lovely;
Peace Be Within Thy
Classic Halls And Temples.
Hail, Alma Mater Dear
Dear Alma Mater,
Tenderly Thy Children
Gather And Bring To Thee
Gracious Salutations;
Comrades, Your Voices
Lift Once Again In Chorus,
Hail, Alma Mater Dear.
