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HATTERS EXTRA • SEPTEMBER 2015

Table of Contents

Football Season Preview . . . . . . . . . . . .3, 5

Men’s Soccer Season Preview . . . . . . . . 7

Women’s Soccer Season Preview . . . . . 9

Volleyball Season Preview . . . . . . . . . . 11

Cross Country Season Preview . . . . . . 13

Stetson Plans $6 Mil Aquatic Center 14-16

Golf Teams Season Preview . . . . . . . . 17

September Master Schedule . . . . . . . . 18

Golf Team To Ride in Style . . . . . . . . . . 19

Hatter Athletic Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

A Summer to Remember . . . . . . . . 21, 23

Stetson Athletics Welcomes

New Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25, 27

Hatters Extra is a publication of the Stetson University Athletics Department . All rights reserved . Designed and edited by the Stetson Marketing and Athletic Communications offices. Photography by Jim Hogue, PhotosInMotion .net, David S . Williams, ASunPhotos .com, Stetson University, and Stetson Athletics . Printing by Independent Printing .

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FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW

Year three in the return of Stetson football brings with it the promise that neither of the previous two Hatters squads had any chance to offer – experience . The Hatters come into the new season with two-year returning starters all over the roster, plus a host of other experienced contributors who are in their third or fourth year in the program . While many programs face the annual challenge of replacing the numerous seniors who depart at the end of each year, the Hatters lost just two players to graduation last spring . What the 2015 roster has is a strong mixture of veterans – 19 seniors and 31 juniors – to provide leadership and experience for the younger players . While there are 46 true freshmen on the squad, those youngsters will mostly be looked to for support and to fill in when needed . Of course, much of the focus on the 2015 squad has been leveled at junior “dawg” safety Donald Payne, and rightfully so . All the Fayetteville, Georgia, native did as a sophomore was lead all of college football – all divisions and all levels – in

tackles to become the first All-American in program history . Payne’s 185 tackles last fall set a new Pioneer Football League record, and his 30-tackle performance in leading the Hatters to a road victory over Campbell tied for the most in a game in college-football history . Let that sink in for a minute . Stetson coaches are hopeful that Payne won’t have to make as many tackles in 2015, but they do hope to see him continue to make big plays . Part of that incredible tackle performance last year was 19 tackles for loss, 5 .5 sacks, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries . This fall, in addition to his duties on the defensive side of the ball, Payne may get a chance to bolster the Hatters’ special teams efforts as a punt returner . Coaches across the PFL are going to have sleepless nights at the thought of having to kick the ball to the most dynamic player in the conference . While Payne is the unquestioned star, there are plenty of solid veterans returning

Donald Payne (#7)

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FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW

on the defensive side of the ball for the Hatters . In fact, the Hatters return their top 11 tacklers from 2014, accounting for 73 .3 percent of the total tackles from last year . The headliners include fellow juniors Davion Belk (DE), Ryan Powers (S), Glenn Adesoji (CB), David Lazear (LB) Chris Atkins (CB) and Marlin Hall (S), along with senior linebackers Ignacio Madrid and Joseph Morris . Like on the defensive side, the Hatters have a lot of veteran leadership returning on the offensive side of the ball . Junior quarterback Ryan Tentler stayed in DeLand all summer and reported to camp both bigger (203 pounds) and stronger . Tentler has plenty of returning weapons at his disposal . Fullbacks Mike Yonker and Craig Carrington have looked good in camp and will lead the way for an impressive stable of running backs . Considering junior Cole Mazza returns after rushing for just shy of 1,000 yards last year, that is quite a statement . Junior Jerami Singleton is back from a season-ending shoulder injury last year and has looked stronger in camp than he ever has

before . A .J . Washington is also back and fully healthy for the first time in his career, and freshman Chance Jackson has been impressive . When Tentler drops to pass, his options will be very familiar to Hatters fans . Returnees Chris Crawford, Darius McGriff and preseason All-PFL selection Kegan Moore combined for more than 1,200 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns last year . Senior Ryan Selimos is also back, after making 27 receptions last year . The key to success will be on the offensive line, where the Hatters have six veteran players who will be joined by an impressive group of large, and athletic, freshmen . While the veterans hold the upper hand, the younger players have been applying pressure and will push for playing time . Punter Eric Fogle returns, as does senior James LaGamma, who missed the second half of the 2014 season after suffering a neck injury in San Diego . His recovery and return to the team is a borderline miracle, and he will be in the mix as both the punter and place-kicker .

Ryan Tentler

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MEN’S SOCCER SEASON PREVIEW

Stetson men’s soccer was picked to finish fifth in the Atlantic Sun Conference preseason poll, while three Hatters – Eli Beates, Lucas Diniz and Jeppe Moe – were voted to the preseason all-conference squad . Voting was conducted by A-Sun head coaches . Stetson received 16 votes in the six-team poll, finishing just behind fourth-placed Jacksonville (17 votes) . Defending conference champion FGCU was picked to repeat as champion and followed in the poll by North Florida, Lipscomb, Jacksonville, Stetson and USC Upstate . Beates, Diniz and Moe were all 2014 postseason honorees in the A-Sun . Beates was a first-team selection after scoring five goals, including four in league play . Diniz earned second-team honors after leading the conference in points (23) and assists (8) . Moe received All-Freshman accolades as a defender after starting all 17 matches and dishing four assists . “It’s always nice to see our players recognized for their hard work and contributions on the field,” said Stetson

head coach Ernie Yarborough . “Lucas, Eli and Jeppe will be important pieces to our team’s success this year, and I am very happy they have garnered attention for their efforts thus far in their careers .” The Hatters return 17 letter-winners from last season’s 8-7-2 squad . Stetson was 4-2-0 in conference play in Yarborough’s inaugural season, helping him to A-Sun Coach of the Year honors . Diniz and junior goalkeeper Paul Ladwig also earned additional honors, as they were voted by fans as the Preseason Player and Goalkeeper of the Year, respectively . The Hatters opened the 2015 regular season at Georgia Southern on Aug . 28 . The seven-game home schedule begins Sept . 4 against Detroit . Other home matches include contests vs . FIU (Sept . 6), Florida Atlantic (Sept . 23), FGCU (Oct . 3), Saint Leo (Oct . 27) and A-Sun rival Lipscomb (Oct . 31) . The 2015 A-Sun Tournament is scheduled for Nov . 6, 8 and 14 at the home sites of the higher-seeded teams .

Eli Beates

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WOMEN’S SOCCER SEASON PREVIEW

Makeshia Lucien was named to the Atlantic Sun Conference women’s soccer preseason all-conference team, while she and her Stetson teammates were picked to finish sixth in the annual preseason poll. A senior defender, Lucien was a second-team all-conference selection at the end of last season . In 2014, Lucien appeared in and started all 18 games for the Hatters, leading the team in minutes played (1,591) . She recorded one assist last season, that coming in Stetson’s win over South Carolina State . The Hatters received 29 points in voting by league head coaches . FGCU was a unanimous choice as the A-Sun preseason favorite . Jacksonville was picked second, while Lipscomb and Kennesaw State tied for third . North Florida, Stetson, USC Upstate and conference newcomer NJIT round out the poll of eight teams . Stetson returns 14 letter-winners from last season, including eight starters . In addition to the veterans, Stetson head coach Manoj Khettry signed a recruiting class of eight student-athletes .

Stetson’s schedule has a decidedly Florida flavor as the Hatters will face a total of six teams from the Sunshine State . Khettry put together a schedule designed to give a young Stetson team an opportunity to be successful throughout the year . “There are a lot more games on the schedule that are with institutions that are like-minded, in either size or ability,” he said . “There’s a good balance of home and away matches . It’s important for us to have success early . We had a fantastic spring, and we want that to carry over .” Stetson opens the A-Sun portion of its schedule by hosting Jacksonville on Sept . 26 . The Hatters will host A-Sun foes Kennesaw State (Oct . 9), USC Upstate (Oct . 11) and Florida Gulf Coast (Oct . 24) . Stetson also has a nonconference home match with South Carolina State on Oct . 4 . The 2015 Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament runs Oct . 31 through Nov . 8 . The quarterfinals will be held at campus sites, while the semis and finals will be at the top-seeded team .

Makeshia Lucien

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VOLLEYBALL SEASON PREVIEW

Fresh off a 16-win season, the Stetson volleyball team spent the preseason working hard to prepare for what is expected to be a highly successful season . “I really like how this group is coming together,” second-year head coach Kristina Hernandez said . ”They are a very young and talented group, and they have been working hard . I have really enjoyed their energy .” The Hatters were picked to finish fifth in the 2015 Atlantic Sun Conference Preseason Coaches Poll . Stetson received 30 points in the poll . Junior right-side hitter Madison Akins (Brooks, Georgia) was voted to the preseason all-conference team . An Atlantic Sun second-team all-conference selection last season, Akins averaged 3 .05 kills and 2 .25 digs per set as a sophomore . She was selected as the league’s Player of the Week on Oct . 6, and she ranked second in the conference in aces per set (0 .35) . “Maddie just keeps getting better,” Hernandez said . “She is so good at

scoring and how creative she is with it . I think that is what makes her special . She is always wanting to work on things and get better .” Lipscomb was projected to capture the A-Sun regular season title, earning 63 total points and seven first place votes. Florida Gulf Coast, Jacksonville and North Florida ranked second through fourth . Following Stetson, Kennesaw State, USC Upstate and NJIT rounded out the poll . The Hatters opened the season the weekend of Aug . 28-29 at the FAU Invitational in Boca Raton, Florida . The home schedule begins with the Stetson Invitational on Sept . 11 . The Hatters will host both FIU and Mercer that day, while those two opponents will square off with each other on Sept . 12 . The seven A-Sun home matches include Florida Gulf Coast (Sept . 26), USC Upstate (Oct . 9), Kennesaw State (Oct . 10), Jacksonville (Oct . 30), North Florida (Oct . 31), Lipscomb (Nov . 14), and conference newcomer NJIT (Nov . 15) .

Madison Akins

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CROSS COUNTRY SEASON PREVIEW

The Stetson University men’s cross country team was ranked fifth and the women were ranked sixth in the 2015 Atlantic Sun Conference Preseason Coaches Poll . The men return six veterans, including seniors Austyn Finnk, Ryan Hodgins, and Andrew Townes . Also returning are juniors Joe Beery and Ryan Newfrock, and sophomore Drew Denson . Four newcomers (Matthew Babikow, Ricky Cupoli, Brendan Hessler and Andrew Thompson) join the squad, which is looking to build upon a seventh-place finish at last year’s A-Sun Championship .

“The quality we have coming in on the men’s side is going to help us substantially each and every meet,” head coach Joe Matuszczak said . The women return seven veterans, including seniors Jessica Cosgrove, Adrienne DeVita, Rachel Dumas and Trixi Menge, as well as juniors Clarissa Consol and Daniella Godenzi and sophomore Rachel Frankenberger . Fellow juniors Brianne Boldrin and Laurie Scott join the team after competing for two seasons for the Stetson women’s soccer program . Meanwhile, three freshmen (Catherine Hessler, Malina Morales and Maya Sherman) will look make their Hatter debuts this fall . “We have a crew on the women’s side that has really bought in to putting in the work year-round, and that sets us up for having a lot more depth,” Matuszczak said . Lipscomb was picked to finish first in both the men’s and women’s preseason polls . Stetson will open the season Sept . 5 at the UNF Invitational in Jacksonville .

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Scullers call it flat water. They prize it for its calm fluidity, and Lake Beresford in DeLand has miles of it. The flat water rarely ripples unless a rock or oar glides across its surface . University, prep-school and international teams travel here to practice and prepare for competition on its deep-green, glassy waters . Stetson University’s 10-acre tract of land at Lake Beresford is also the best place to research and develop innovative technical, social and political solutions to protect freshwater resources and related environmental concerns . Its emphasis is on undergraduate education and community outreach . Combine the two, and you have the potential for a cross-disciplinary facility that touches sciences, the arts, literature, philosophy, civic engagement, sports and recreation . That’s exactly what the new Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center will do for the university and those living in and visiting Florida . In short, Sandra Stetson’s $6 million gift will build a water research

facility and provide a home for the university’s women’s and men’s crew teams . In addition, a botanical garden of native Florida plants will grace the new, cutting-edge facility . But the new center will do more than this . It will become a destination for ecotourists, as well as a place for public recreation . Even so, the site will be designed for human-powered watercraft on the lake . Sandra Stetson, a great-granddaughter of Stetson University’s namesake, John B . Stetson, has long supported garden, wetland and environmental efforts, most recently through her support of the Naples Botanical Garden that contains plants and flowers from around the world. She has also underwritten a partnership between Stetson and the Naples gardens so that Stetson students can engage with professional botanists, researchers and educators there through summer internships . Furthermore, some of her family have rowed crew, so she has a real connection to the sport of sculling .

STETSON PLANS $6 MILLION AQUATIC CENTER

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“Sandra is a donor who cares about both things,” says Stetson University President Wendy Libby, Ph .D . “Her gift allows us to put recreation and research together under one roof,” she added, noting that the gift, “strengthens our connection with the family that assured our continuation in the late 1800s .” After all, it was John B . Stetson who contributed his financial support to the institution after founder Henry A . DeLand suffered financial setbacks during a severe freeze in his orange groves . Sandra Stetson has suggested that Preston T . Phillips of Bridgehampton, New York, the architect who designed both her homes in Naples, Florida, and in Southampton, New York, be considered as the project architect . Plans for construction of the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center are in the earliest stages, and no date has been set for groundbreaking, but it is expected that the new facility will open by August 2018 . Sandra Stetson has supported other university efforts, including the provision

of funds for the duPont-Ball Library on the DeLand campus . The Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center will also contribute to Central Florida’s economic development by attracting high school and college-age rowers from Northern locations to train and compete during the winter months . “I’m excited about the project,” says Stetson crew coach Mark Wilson . “Our rowing teams will finally have a home.” He points out that even now Stetson hosts the largest head racing regatta in Florida with more than 1,100 participants and 3,000 spectators . “We also have 500 visiting athletes from the Northeast, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and international locations,” Wilson says . “The Aquatic Center will enhance Stetson research at the Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience,” says Provost Beth Paul, Ph .D . “The center represents Stetson’s core value of being responsible stewards of our natural environment .” Stetson’s water institute will remain

STETSON PLANS $6 MILLION AQUATIC CENTER

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housed on its DeLand campus, while the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center will serve as its research arm . Particularly, students will take advantage of on-campus science labs and classes while pursuing field study at the Aquatic Center . “Through the institute and the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center, Stetson University is poised to emerge as a leader in statewide and nationwide efforts to address the challenges of our strained water resources and associated environmental concerns,” says Paul . “The Aquatic Center is going to make a major difference in what we do,” declares Karen Ryan, Ph .D ., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences . Ryan notes that the new Aquatic Center is more than a place for science . She envisions a facility where Stetson students can take advantage of

the center’s recreational opportunities, including canoeing and kayaking . Another component, according to Ryan, is a community outreach and education function . “The center will host workshops and seminars where noted environmental and policy speakers will give us their viewpoints,” she says . “And this new facility will help us marry science with policy creation . Our students need to be grounded in both .” Imagine Stetson rowers in their sleek shells skimming across Lake Beresford’s foggy waters in early morning . Picture other students taking water samples or researching Florida plants around the new facility . Both university programs will reach significance because of Sandra Stetson’s major gift .

STETSON PLANS $6 MILLION AQUATIC CENTER

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GOLF TEAMS SEASON PREVIEW

Stetson University golf coaches Larry Watson and Floyd Kerr have put together a challenging array of events for their young clubs during the 2015-16 season . The Hatters’ golf teams both open the season the first weekend of September in the always-tough GolfWeek Program Challenge at the Caledonia Golf & Fish Resort in Pawleys Island, South Carolina . The GolfWeek event partners the men’s and women’s golf programs from 12 schools in concurrent tournaments on the True Blue and Caledonia courses . There will be team titles for the men’s and women’s tournament winners, as well as a combined champion . The Hatters men will follow that tournament with appearances in two new tournaments on the schedule . Coach Watson will take his club north for the two events – first to Connecticut, where they will play in the Hartford Hawks Invitational (Sept . 21-22), and then to Ohio for the NKU Collegiate Classic (Sept . 26-28) . The schedule will take the team to familiar turf for the rest of the fall, with a

trip to North Carolina for the Donald Ross Intercollegiate (Oct . 11-13) and to Fort Myers for the Homewood & Hilton Garden Airport FGCU Classic at Old Corkscrew (Oct . 26-28) . The Hatters will close the fall with a Ryder Cup-style match against Embry-Riddle at LPGA International in Daytona Beach on Nov . 2-3 . “With the new players I am bringing in, combined with the returning players, we are going to have an excellent opportunity to make our first real move to increase our national ranking,” Watson said . Following the trip to South Carolina, the Stetson women will compete at the Jacksonville Classic (Sept . 28-29) in Ponte Vedra Beach and the Forest Oaks Fall Classic (Oct . 2-3) in Greensboro, North Carolina, before returning to Kiawah Island, South Carolina for the Palmetto Intercollegiate, which is the largest college tournament of the year, Oct . 23-27, to close out the fall season .

Guilia Vandenberg Spencer Turner

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Fri. 4 Women’s Soccer at High Point High Point, N.C. 7:00 p.m.Fri. 4 Men’s Soccer vs. Detroit DeLand, Fla. 7:00 p.m.Fri. 4 Volleyball at Mississippi State Starkville, Miss. 8:00 p.m.Sat. 5-8 Women’s Golf at GolfWeek Program Challenge Pawleys Island, S.C. All DaySat. 5-8 Men’s Golf at GolfWeek Program Challenge Pawleys Island, S.C. All DaySat. 5 Cross Country at UNF XC Invitational Jacksonville, Fla. 7:30 a.m.Sat. 5 Volleyball vs. Chattanooga Starkville, Miss. 12:00 p.m.Sat. 5 Volleyball vs. Mississippi Valley State Starkville, Miss. 6:00 p.m.Sat. 5 Football vs. Webber International DeLand, Fla. 7:00 p.m.Sun. 6 Women’s Soccer at Francis Marion Florence, S.C. 1:00 p.m.Sun. 6 Men’s Soccer vs. Florida International DeLand, Fla. 7:00 p.m.Fri. 11 Volleyball vs. Florida International DeLand, Fla. 3:00 p.m. Fri. 11 Men’s Soccer vs. Loyola (Ill.) DeKalb, Ill. 5:00 p.m.Fri. 11 Women’s Soccer vs. College of Charleston DeLand, Fla. 7:00 p.m.Fri. 11 Volleyball vs. Mercer DeLand, Fla. 7:00 p.m. Sat. 12 Cross Country at UCF Invitational at Orlando, Fla. 7:00 a.m.Sat. 12 Football at Mercer at Macon, Ga. 6:00 p.m.Sun. 13 Men’s Soccer at Northern Illinois DeKalb, Ill. 2:30 p.m.Sun. 13 Women’s Soccer at Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach, Fla. 7:00 p.m.Fri. 18 Volleyball vs. UMES Wilmington, N.C. 5:00 p.m.Fri. 18 Men’s Soccer at Furman Greenville, S.C. 7:00 p.m.Sat. 19 Cross Country at UF/Mountain Dew Invitational Gainesville, Fla. 7:55 a.m.Sat. 19 Volleyball vs. Presbyterian Wilmington, N.C. 10:00 a.m.Sat. 19 Volleyball at UNCW Wilmington, N.C. 7:30 p.m.Sun. 20 Women’s Soccer vs. Georgetown DeLand, Fla. 11:30 a.m.Sun. 20 Men’s Soccer at Campbell Buies Creek, N.C. 2:00 p.m.Mon. 21-22 Men’s Golf at Hartford Hawks Invitational South Kent, Conn. All DayTue. 22 Volleyball at Bethune-Cookman Daytona Beach, Fla. 7:00 p.m.Wed. 23 Men’s Soccer vs. Florida Atlantic DeLand, Fla. 5:00 p.m.Fri. 25 Cross Country at FLRunners.com Invitational Titusville, Fla. 5:56 p.m.Sat. 26-28 Men’s Golf at NKU Collegiate Classic Batavia, Ohio All DaySat. 26 Football at Drake Des Moines, Iowa 2:00 p.m.Sat. 26 Volleyball vs. Florida Gulf Coast DeLand, Fla. 3:00 p.m. Sat. 26 Women’s Soccer vs. Jacksonville DeLand, Fla. 7:00 p.m.Mon. 28-29 Women’s Golf at Jacksonville Classic Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. All Day

SEPTEMBER MASTER SCHEDULEDate Event Location Time

SEPTEMBER SCHEDULES

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For the first time this year, the men’s team will travel in style to road games thanks to the purchase of a new van . The vehicle was delivered Aug . 20, but efforts to raise the money to pay for the vehicle are ongoing . “We have been handcuffed, because we needed a dedicated vehicle, a van, that makes a statement about where we are trying to take our program,” coach Larry Watson said . “Jeff Altier approved the purchase of the van, and we are raising the money, but it is a big undertaking . We really need for our alumni to re-engage with us and realize that this is all about the young men on this team . It is about our players .” To help the Stetson men’s golf program with a donation, contact coach Larry Watson at lwatson@stetson .edu or 386-822-7713 .

STETSON GOLF TO RIDE IN STYLE

HATTER ATHLETIC FUND

The Hatter Athletic Fund is here to connect you to our Hatters in the ways you feel you can make the biggest impact . We need your help, and our student-athletes benefit from all you do for them, allowing them to be excellent representatives of Stetson University, both while in school and after graduation as productive members of society . If you would like to become more involved with our Hatters in any way, please do not hesitate to contact us at (386) 738-6707, haf@stetson .edu or @HatterFund on Twitter . Your support has a direct impact on supporting our champions and is the reason we have enjoyed the successes we have . Hatter Athletics appreciates all you do!

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A SUMMER TO REMEMBER

To say that Stetson junior pitcher Mitchell Jordan had an amazing summer would be a gross understatement . The Longwood native ventured north to Massachusetts to compete in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Orleans Firebirds . He left Florida as the ace of the Stetson Hatters . He returned home as a potential first round draft choice in the 2016 MLB Amateur Draft . Founded in 1946, the Cape Cod League has been the subject of Hollywood movies and has sent more than 1,100 players on to the major leagues . This year alone, there are more than 250 Cape Cod League alums playing in MLB, and 15 of those players were selected to play in the MLB All-Star game . Cape League alums include Hall of Famers Craig Biggio, Carlton Fisk and Frank Thomas, as well as current stars such as Buster Posey, Jacoby Ellsbury, Evan Longoria and many more . So, just getting to play in the league, which is made up of 10 teams and plays a season from early June to mid-August, is an honor for any college player . But Jordan

did more than just make an appearance . “I was just hoping to get some quality innings,” Jordan said . “I looked at the roster and saw all of the names, and I was just hoping to make the best of the opportunity .” The Firebirds’ roster included players from Miami, Texas, Michigan, Pepperdine, Arizona, Arizona State, Vanderbilt, USC and Virginia, among many more of the top collegiate programs in the nation . None of those players had the kind of summer Jordan had . All the right-hander did was post a sparkling 8-1 record in helping the Firebirds to the best record in the league . He was the starting pitcher for the East Division in the league All-Star game, and his only loss was a 2-1 decision in the playoffs in a game where he allowed just one earned run . Jordan said he stayed focused on what he was trying to do, and didn’t worry much about the big picture . “I just took it day-by-day and outing-by-outing,” Jordan said . “Really, it was an honor just to be there, and it was a lot of fun .”

Mitchell Jordan Bill Bray

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A SUMMER TO REMEMBER

During the regular season he allowed just one earned run in 43 innings of work, tying the league record with a 0 .20 ERA . Opposing hitters managed just a .117 batting average against him for the summer . He allowed just two extra-base hits all summer (both doubles), walked just six, and had 46 strikeouts before adding 10 more in two playoff appearances . In addition to his start in the All-Star game, Jordan was twice named the league’s Pitcher of the Week, and he closed the year by earning the 2015 B .F .C . Whitehouse Award, which is presented annually to the Most Outstanding Pitcher in the league . Past winners of that award have included Chris Sale and Andrew Miller . In addition to daily batting practice and games, the players in the Cape League spend a lot of time working with kids in the area, which didn’t leave much time for anything else . Jordan said his success this summer was just a holdover from what he was able to do late last spring, after recovering from an illness .

“I think I was just able to get my feet back under me from the spring, which I think I did at the end of the year,” Jordan said . “I was just able to keep it rolling . I worked off the fastball, which is big up there against the wood bats, especially when everyone is coming from the metal bats . I told myself that I had to pitch, not just throw, and that helped me a lot .” One of the biggest aspects of his success this summer was the change in the way he was perceived by the fans who flock by the thousands to see each and every game . “It was a roller coaster,” Jordan said . “All the little kids are always asking for autographs, but there were a couple of guys who got sent some things in the mail to get autographed . That was kind of cool . The all-star game was a lot of autographs, and that was fun .” With his accomplishments during the summer, Jordan can expect to receive his fair share of attention this spring during his junior season for the Hatters . “I don’t feel pressure; I just go out there and pitch,” Jordan said .

Mitchell Jordan

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Kelly AndersonHead Women’s Tennis CoachAnderson came to Stetson from USF, where she served as interim head women’s coach last year, helping the Bulls to a No . 33 national ranking . A native of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, Anderson played collegiately at Georgia Tech and received her undergraduate degree there in 2006 before earning a master’s at Campbellsville in 2012 .

Jonathon ClawsonAssistant Equipment Room SupervisorClawson joined the Stetson staff in August from Florida State, where he served as an intern on the Equipment Operations staff . He is a 2015 graduate of Ball State University .

Cassie CunninghamCheer CoachCunningham joined the Hatters’ staff in April as cheer coach . A native of Port Orange, she earned a degree from Daytona State in 2012 .

Rico GuimaraesAssistant Volleyball CoachA native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Guimaraes brings a wealth of collegiate and international experience to Stetson . He most recently served as head coach of the USA Beach Volleyball U17 boys national team and assistant coach for the U17 girls national team . He is a 1995 graduate of the University of Hawai’i .

Roy HeintzAssistant Women’s Basketball CoachA former Stetson student, Heintz returned to the Hatters in May after a successful run as head women’s basketball coach at the University of Alabama-Huntsville and Covenant College . He is a 1985 graduate of USF .

Bob MajeskiAssistant Football CoachA 30-year veteran of the coaching profession, Majeski came to Stetson from Highland Community College in Kansas . In his career, he has coached virtually every position group, but coaches linebackers for Stetson . He played college football at Kansas State and is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 1986 .

Kristen McTernanAssistant Athletic TrainerA native of Cleveland, McTernan joined the Stetson staff from Springfield College in Massachusetts, where she worked as a student trainer while completing her degree earlier this year .

Olivia MillsAssistant Women’s Soccer CoachA native of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Mills came to Stetson from Valdosta State, where she helped the Blazers to three straight NCAA Division II Tournament appearances . She received her degree earlier this year and works with the Hatters’ goalkeepers .

Frank PopieskiDirector of Basketball OperationsPopieski came to Stetson from Florida State, where he was a graduate assistant equipment manager for the Seminoles’ men’s basketball program . He is a 2013 graduate of FSU .

Erick ReasonerAssistant AD for External OperationsReasoner arrived at Stetson in May and serves as the Hatters’ primary athletics fundraiser . A native of Columbus, Ohio, Reasoner has oversight of the Hatter Athletic Fund, Marketing & Promotions, Sponsorships and the ticket office. He is a 2009 graduate of The Ohio State University .

STETSON ATHLETICS WELCOMES NEW STAFF

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Scott ShipmanAssistant Strength & Conditioning CoachA native of Atlanta, Shipman arrived in August from Georgia Regents University, where he was a graduate assistant strength coach . He is a 2013 graduate of Augusta State University, where he played baseball .

Taylor SullivanAssistant Athletic TrainerA native of Gorham, Maine, Sullivan came to Stetson from Illinois Wesleyan, where she worked as a graduate assistant for two years . She received her undergraduate degree from Springfield College in Massachusetts in 2013 and her master’s from Illinois State in 2015 .

Dave TherneauAssistant Baseball CoachTherneau joined the Hatters’ staff after spending the past eight seasons as pitching coach at Embry-Riddle . A native of Denton, Texas, Therneau is a 2000 graduate of Bellevue University .

Kiwaukee ThomasAssistant Football CoachAn eight-year NFL veteran, Thomas came to Stetson from Kansas City, where he was working as a high school head coach and assistant athletics director . As a standout player at Georgia Southern, Thomas helped the Eagles to the 1999 FCS national championship before his career in the NFL . He received his degree from Ashford University in 2011 .

Stephanie ThompsonCompliance CoordinatorA graduate of Bethune-Cookman (2009) and St . Thomas University (2011), Thompson joined the Stetson staff in late August from Florida A&M University, where she served as compliance coordinator .

Seth TisdaleAssistant Athletic TrainerA native of Northfield, Vermont, Tisdale came to Stetson from Virginia Commonwealth, where he worked with women’s basketball and volleyball . He received his bachelor’s degree from Elon and his master’s from Stephen F . Austin .

Mark WateskaDirector of Strength & ConditioningA native of Pittsburgh, Wateska played college football for legendary coach Joe Paterno at Penn State before embarking on his career as a strength coach . That career has taken him from Happy Valley to Maine, Stanford, Indiana and now Stetson . He received his undergraduate and master’s degrees from Penn State .

Cain YarbroughAssistant Director for Marketing & PromotionsA native of Hatton, Alabama, Yarbrough came to Stetson from the University of North Alabama, where he served as a graduate assistant in the marketing and promotions office. He received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UNA .

Brittany YoungAssistant Women’s Basketball CoachA former graduate assistant coach at South Carolina, Young came to Stetson from Daytona State . As a student-athlete at Francis Marion University, she was an Academic All-American before receiving her degree in 2008 .

STETSON ATHLETICS WELCOMES NEW STAFF

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