Corey Kluber, Stetson Hatters alumni celebrate March Madness appearance: 'Those are my Hatters.'
Donald Payne walked around practice a little bit taller Monday, and with his chest puffed out just a tad broader. Teammates not only recognized the relatively unknown college he attended playing basketball on national television, but passed along congratulations for Stetson's historic moment.
"I always carry my Hatter pride wherever I go. It made me into the man I am today," said Payne, a former Jacksonville Jaguar linebacker set to play his second season with the UFL's Arlington Renegades. "Coming from a small school, we always have a chip on our shoulder. It was a little bit of gratification. Those are my people. Those are my Hatters."
Payne, like thousands of other Hatter grads, soaked in Stetson's 94-91 victory against Austin Peay in the ASUN championship game — ensuring its first inclusion in the NCAA men's basketball tournament in its 53rd Division I season. The Hatters reached the conference final on three previous occasions: 1987, 1994 and in 2016, when they were ineligible to qualify due to Academic Progress Rate violations.
HOW THEY GOT HERE: Stetson basketball and the march to Madness: How the darlings of DeLand survived and advanced
Lorenzo Williams, one of just two Stetson alumni to suit up in the NBA according to Basketball Reference, watched the game from start to finish in his Sunrise home. He hopes that the win will further cement Stetson's spot on the college basketball map. From an athletic standpoint, the school is more commonly known as a respected baseball mid-major, and the home of two former Cy Young Award winners.
"It was such an intense game. I was so proud of the kids," Williams said. "Coach (Donnie) Jones has done such an amazing job. (Athletic director) Jeff (Altier) hired the right guy for the job. It's an exciting time to be a Hatter.
"I may not be the only one to go pro. That point guard, (Jalen) Blackmon, has a serious shot to get to the next level."
Speaking of baseball, a pair of pitchers from Stetson's 2018 Super Regional squad tuned in from their respective spring training sites: Seattle Mariners starter Logan Gilbert and Atlanta Braves relief prospect Brooks Wilson.
"It's amazing to see what the basketball team is doing for our university," Gilbert said. "They do a great job representing us and showing the talent that comes from a small but prestigious school. It's going to be fun following them on this historic run."
Wilson added: "It's been incredible watching the historic season that these guys are having. Coach Jones has done an awesome job showing the country what the Hats are all about. It's time to keep it rolling in the tournament."
Two-time American League Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber has a bit more free time this March, having recently retired after a 13-year run in the major leagues. Kluber weighed in, saying, "As a Stetson alum, it is always exciting to see our athletic programs excel to the point of being included in something like March Madness. It should be a proud moment for all Stetson students and graduates. Go Hats!"
ICYMI: @GoodmanHoops and @CoachMattMcCall talked with @StetsonMBB coach Donnie Jones after the Hatters punched their FIRST-EVER #ASUNMBB ticket!!
"It's absolutely surreal. It really started to hit me a little while ago..." - @DonnieJones
WATCH:https://t.co/bTTNsOaPGV pic.twitter.com/d0nX56WyTk— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) March 11, 2024
Jones, in his fifth season at Stetson, drew a significant amount of praise from coaching peers and the sport's premier reporters. He was an assistant for Florida's back-to-back national championships in 2006-07, but is set to appear in the NCAA tournament for the first time as a head coach after prior stints at Marshall and UCF.
NBC Sports analyst Matt McCall said there is "no one more deserving" than Jones. UMass head coach Frank Martin described Jones as "an unreal man who is an incredible leader." New Hampshire assistant coach Luis Guzman and Delaware Blue Coats (NBA G League) assistant coach JP Clark complimented Jones' abilities as a "program builder."
Stetson's tournament path will be determined Sunday evening. ESPN's Joe Lunardi and CBS Sports' Jerry Palm project the Hatters to take part in the First Four games, pairing off with fellow 16-seed Merrimack in Dayton, Ohio, with the winner drawn to face Tennessee.
Twice before has a 16-seed upset a No. 1. Maryland-Baltimore County became the first with a 74-54 victory over Virginia in 2018, and Fairleigh Dickinson joined the club last March by taking down Purdue 63-58.
Could Stetson be the next Cinderella? Payne certainly hopes that is the case.
"I honestly would love for them to play one of the powerhouses," Payne said. "What Hatter wouldn't want to see Stetson against Duke, Kentucky or Kansas? Let's see what they can do."
Here are some other notable reactions on social media so far this week:
Stetson basketball saluted on social media
Round of applause for my undergrad Alma mater. First time making the tourney in 53 seasons!! #MarchMadness2024 #Stetson #Hatters @CBSSports pic.twitter.com/c00gjuXYC8
— Britt McHenry (@BrittMcHenry) March 11, 2024
Them boys going dancing 🕺#GOHats 🎩 https://t.co/Zgt9bPOmUK
— Donald Payne Jr 🚂 (@7PayneTrain) March 10, 2024
Soo happy for my guy,@DonnieJones
Truly the BEST of the BEST!!!
& A HISTORY MAKER! 🏆
Time to change that wallpaper 👏🏽🙌🏽💚 #304fam https://t.co/VDSeZPzE54— Lynn Bria (@MaMaMiaBria) March 11, 2024
I am so happy for @DonnieJones and his Stetson team. An unreal man who is an incredible leader.
— Frank Martin (@coachFMartin) March 10, 2024
GOODBYE NEVER MADE THE TOURNAMENT CLUB! THE STETSON HATTERS ARE GOING DANCING!
ENJOY SOME WHIT’S IN FRONT OF THE WEIRD STATUE IN FRONT OF THE BofA BUILDING IN TOWN!
Donnie Jones has done one of the most impressive jobs in the country. pic.twitter.com/Dll31zhHDA— Mid-Major Madness (@mid_madness) March 10, 2024
17 years ago, Donnie Jones was a part of Billy Donovan's staff at Florida that won back-to-back national titles.
Today, he clinched the right to go back as the head coach of Stetson.
CHAMPIONS OF THE ATLANTIC SUN!— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 10, 2024
Donnie Jones has led Stetson to its first-ever NCAA tourney berth after a win over Austin Peay in the ASUN title game.
Jalen Blackmon went for 43 in the win!!!
Jones took over a program 5 years ago that hadn’t had a winning season since 2001 - when it was in the Trans America…— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 10, 2024
Having covered Stetson from 1991-2003, this makes me happy for some of their longtime fans who have waited decades to make the men’s basketball tournament. https://t.co/Pcoq2Ziipz
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 11, 2024
when Stetson finally makes the NCAA Tournament pic.twitter.com/U7h8ZEaZnr
— Matt Brown (@MattBrownEP) March 10, 2024
Storming the court ain’t so bad if you walk slow ! Congrats to A Sun champs , the Stetson Hatters! pic.twitter.com/oLoX9H68dn
— Jay Gruden (@Coach_JayGruden) March 10, 2024
THE STETSON HATTERS HAVE MADE THE MENS NCAA TOURNAMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME! GREAT HATS IN THE COURT STORM #HATTERSGONNAHAT pic.twitter.com/3c0BjIhie6
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) March 10, 2024
Holy H E double 🏒 🏒 !!!!! JUST AWESOME for @StetsonMBB to win the @ASUNSports championship! Great job fellas and way to rep @StetsonU @DonnieJones pic.twitter.com/zjpI0ScnfL
— Steve Trimper (@Steve_Trimper) March 10, 2024
No one more deserving than @DonnieJones! First tournament birth ever for @StetsonMBB…so impressive Coach. Let’s go dancing!!!
— Matt McCall (@CoachMattMcCall) March 10, 2024
Words can’t describe how happy I am for @DonnieJones @ShawnFinney and all of the staff and players at @StetsonMBB.
Truly making history doing something that’s never been done, EVER.
Hope you can hear us from Huntington coach. Keep it rollin!!!— Adam Williams (@CoachAdamW) March 10, 2024
“If you build it, they will come."
Congratulations coach @DonnieJones
One of the Best program builders!
I enjoyed our three years together!
You guys have done a great job. I'm extremely happy for you and the program coach! Hahaha https://t.co/aoboSiFxUP— Luis Guzman (@CoachLouGuzman) March 10, 2024
Happy for former #Gators assistant @DonnieJones leading Stetson to its first NCAA Tournament trip in school history. Donnie is a winner and class person.
— KevinBrockwayGators (@KevinBrockwayG1) March 10, 2024
#UPikeProud of alum and hall of famer @DonnieJones! https://t.co/0ycAG2lSRd
— UPIKE Athletics (@UPIKEAthletics) March 10, 2024
A huge congrats to @DonnieJones & the Hatters!
Stetson has some big time 3pt shooting & will get to show that on the biggest stage. https://t.co/1qiM3P91IB— Mike O'Donnell (@MOD4three) March 11, 2024
Congrats to @DonnieJones @ShawnFinney and the entire @StetsonMBB program #Blessed to have known these two for many years & honored that they consider me a friend
Great coaches but even better men - Extremely high character & Integrity - Doing it the right way@mid_madness #GSD pic.twitter.com/NbuXirWgGl— Coach Price (@UCACoachPrice) March 11, 2024
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: March Madness: Stetson grads react to NCAA Tournament basketball bid