DeLand, FL (Sports Network) - Stetson University will return to football for the first time since 1956 with an 11-game schedule in 2013, including six at home.
Under the direction of former Princeton coach Roger Hughes, the Hatters will play in the non-scholarship Pioneer Football League. The league also will add Mercer University this year in expanding to 12 schools.
Stetson's first game will be at home at Spec Martin Stadium against another first-year program - NAIA member Warner - on Aug. 31.
"There will be a great sense of satisfaction because we started with nothing and built it from the ground up," said Hughes, who was named the Stetson coach on June 27, 2011. "I am also going to be wondering how the kids will perform. It will be the first time since we started practice that they will have a chance to play someone else. That is going to be exciting to see."
Stetson will play two other sub-Division I teams before starting its PFL schedule. The Hatters will visit Division II Florida Tech for the Pirates' first game on Sept. 7. Following an off week, which could become a fourth non- conference game if an opponent becomes available, the Hatters will host Division III Birmingham-Southern on Sept. 21.
The Hatters' PFL schedule includes home games against Dayton (Oct. 12), Campbell (Nov. 2) and Davidson (Nov. 9). The Hatters will travel for games at Butler (Oct. 5) in Indianapolis, at Marist (Oct. 26) in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., at Jacksonville (Nov. 16) and at Mercer (Nov. 23) in Macon, Ga.
2013 Stetson University Football Schedule
All Times ET
Aug. 31, Warner University, DeLand, Fla., 7 p.m.
Sept. 7, at Florida Tech, Palm Bay, Fla., 7 p.m.
Sept. 21, Birmingham-Southern, DeLand, Fla., 7 p.m.
Sept. 28, San Diego*, DeLand, Fla., 1 p.m.
Oct. 5, at Butler*, Indianapolis, 1 p.m.
Oct. 12, Dayton*, DeLand, Fla., 1 p.m.
Oct. 26, at Marist*, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., 1 p.m.
Nov. 2, Campbell*, DeLand, Fla., 1 p.m.
Nov. 9, Davidson*, DeLand, Fla., 1 p.m.
Nov. 16, Jacksonville*, Jacksonville, Fla., 1 p.m.
Nov. 23, at Mercer*, Macon, Ga., 1 p.m.
* - Pioneer Football League game
