Tip of the Hat: Honors for Football and Women’s Basketball Two members of the 2013 Stetson football team were recognized by College Sports Journal as members of their 2013 All-Freshman Team. Defensive back Donald Payne and receiver/kick returner Chris Crawford were both selected to the second team. They were two of just four players from the Pioneer Football League to be selected. They were joined by Mercer quarterback John Russ and Drake tight end Eric Saubert. Payne, who was named the PFL Defensive Freshman of the Year, finished the year with a team-high 113 tackles, including 71 solo stops. He tied with Drake’s John Hugunin for most overall tackles in the PFL, and led the league in solo stops. He ranked second in the PFL with 16 tackles for losses of 86 yards, including 4.5 sacks, which tied for 16th in the league. He forced two fumbles and recovered three, had a pair of interceptions, and was credited with 12 pass breakups. He ranked third in the PFL in passes defended. Crawford led the Hatters in receptions with 33, for 332 yards, and in punt returns with 14 for 107 yards. **** The Pioneer Football League has named a record 590 student-athletes from its 12 member institutions to the league’s Academic Honor Roll for the fall 2013 semester. Stetson ranked fourth among the 12 PFL programs with 59 members of the 2013 squad earning at least a 3.0 GPA during the fall semester. Stetson was led by three players – Alan Hinderleider, Dave Lazear and Kurt Schaller – with perfect 4.0 GPAs during the fall. Five others – Davion Belk, Patrick Cone, Jack Howerton, Austin Tyrrell and Bobby Jakubek – all posted GPAs of at least 3.75.
Donald Payne (above) and Chris Crawford (right) earned All-Freshman Team honors from the College Sports Journal.
**** On Jan. 18, women’s basketball senior Sasha Sims became the school’s all-time leader in blocked shots as she recorded her 138th career rejection. She also ranks 15th in Atlantic Sun Conference history in that category. The following week, prior to Stetson’s home game against Jacksonville, Sims was presented with a commemorative basketball to memorialize her achievement.
Sasha Sims (left) was honored prior to the Jan. 25 game vs. Jacksonville for setting the all-time school record for blocked shots. Head coach Lynn Bria presented Sims with a commemorative ball.
Honor Roll (December-January) Women’s Basketball A-Sun Player of the Week.............. Sasha Sims (Dec. 23, Jan. 13) A-Sun Newcomer of the Week.....Amber Porter (Jan. 20, Jan. 27) Men’s Basketball A-Sun Newcomer of the Week.......................Brian Pegg (Jan. 20) Lacrosse Atlantic Sun Preseason All-Conference................. Amanda Parker Fan-voted Preseason Player of the Year...............Maylis Broderick Fan-voted Preseason Defensive Player of the Year....Caili Guilday Softball Atlantic Sun Preseason All-Conference..................Meredith Owen Fan-voted Preseason Player of the Year.................Meredith Owen
Meredith Owen
Baseball Atlantic Sun Preseason All-Conference.................Patrick Mazeika
#HootyHoo 16
Amanda Parker
February 2014