Karsceal Turner – I Got NEXT!
Truly, I can’t be certain I’m even supposed to be compiling notes on Saturday night’s game between Stetson University and Birmingham Southern because yours truly had the distinction of serving as the “Red Hat” for this particular game. The “red Hat” signals the television crew when there is to be a timeout called and a halt to the action. Only thing about this game is it wasn’t televised. Call it practice for when I’m working a future Atlantic Sun or Hatters televised game and cross your fingers.
Anyway, the game was a blast and also a different atmosphere from the games I usually cover for Stetson’s Cross-county rival and my alma mater Bethune-Cookman University.
I must thank in print the Hatter’s Athletic Communications staff specifically, Director of Sports Information Ricky Hazel, Athletic Director for Operations and Facilities, James Stem, and David Wessier, who served as liaison for my duties, which consisted of communicating with referees for timeouts. There I was within a sea of Green and white decked out in a Red T-shirt, Gray, Red, and Black Nikes and of course my Nike red hat. I felt right at home and had a job to do.
I had the best seat in the house and the house was filled to the brim even until the very end. It was a delight to be among the 6104 fans in the stadium on the hill.
Sadly, Stetson’s third game since returning to football after a 57-year hiatus was a 49-34 loss. That isn’t to say the fans at Spec Martin Stadium in DeLand weren’t entertained by the game. The fireworks which lit up the sky afterwards weren’t a bad look either. I’m sure someone questioned fireworks after a loss but it wasn’t I. I love fireworks.
Welcome to Stetson Hatters Football
Since B-CU gets the biggest share of publicity in Volusia County, I simply couldn’t help myself, I had to write about what I saw. My assessment is this; “Hot-damn” this is an entertaining program!
I should say entertaining and young but the reader must understand this is a first-year non-scholarship Division I program.
Still, don’t you dare look down on this matchup. I’m telling you, it wasn’t as ugly as it seems from the final. The game actually was decided in the second half of play where the Panthers outscored the Hatters 21-6 with three additional takeaways.
I’ve seen and covered my share of football. This game was worth the price of a ticket.
I was across from the Hatter Band, and really dug their vibe. They kept it “crunk” all night long, as did the Hatter Cheerleaders. This is me apologizing for the couple times I was in the way when they wanted to tumble but hey, I’m the “Red Hat” guy. When I wasn’t standing on the 10 or 20-yard line looking at my stopwatch (on my phone), I was taking in the action and at times dodging players headed towards the sidelines. What I noticed was a Hatter offense, which scored four touchdowns against a decent Birmingham Southern squad. Although the Panthers (3-0) are a NCAA Division III (non-scholarship) program, they scored seven TDs. Seven is more than four last time I checked.
Stetson fumbled twice and Birmingham-Southern scored on each recovery. Stuff happens but toss in a few interceptions (5) from Stetson Quarterback Ryan Tentler for a total of six turnovers and it just isn’t a good look.
And still the band played. The conductor was on his stand for most of the game as the Hatters band blared away familiar tunes into the country sky. In addition, Deland’s Pop Warner teams were recognized and Stetson’s Women’s Basketball team received their A-Sun Conference championship rings to a rousing applause (myself included). Yep, I felt like a member of Hatter Nation.
All was good on that September evening, except that the home team lost.
No worries, Stetson will have a chance to correct some mistakes when the University of San Diego of the Pioneer League comes to Spec Martin Stadium all the way from the West Coast for a matchup set for Sep. 28 @ 1:00 pm.
Assuming all is well with my “Red Hat” duties; I’ll be there and once again will reveal what I dig about Stetson Hatters Football.
These have been notes from your friendly neighborhood “Red Hat.” I Got NEXT!
