Stetson Cupola 1975-3-5

VOL. 3 NO. 5 STETSON UNIVERSITY, DELAND, FLORIDA April, 1975 Hatters Scalp Seminoles; End "Sweet" 22-4 Season Stetson's 63-54 win over Florida State, March 5, was like frosting on the cake. It was an extra special touch to a real sweet season. The victory maintained the Hatter undefeated record in Edmunds Center — now 16 wins and no losses. Adventures on the road accounted for 6 wins and 4 losses. California, Marshall, Western Kentucky, American University, Arkansas State, Tennessee Tech, Southern Illinois, Northern Illinois, Jacksonville, Tulane and Florida State all defeated fine teams during the season, and all fell victim to Stetson's winning ways. Handling one of the toughest schedules in the nation, Stetson manhandled twenty-two and also had the satisfaction of knowing that two road losses were hairline defeats — one point at the hands of Central Michigan and two points by Virginia. The world has long known about Florida's O. J., but learned this year about Stetson's "O. J." — Otis Johnson. "O. J." attracted points to the tune of a 15.8 average and rebounds for an 8.9 average. He also attracted scouts from the majority of both NBA and ABA COSBY JOINS IN FUN — Comedian Bill Cosby "got into the swing" at Stetson's Homecoming Feb. 13 -16 when he arrived a day early for his Saturday performance. (See Homecoming photos and story pages 8 - 9.) teams. He didn't disappoint them. Billy Seitz, many weeks the team's leading scorer, finished the regular season a fraction behind his fellow co- captain with a 15.7 average and 6.9 rebounding tally per game. He was the game high scorer 13 times. Fred Ross, described by Coach Glenn Wilkes as the best baseline defensive player he's ever seen, averaged just a hair under the double digit figure but totally controlled his opponent throughout the season. The trio — Johnson, Seitz and Ross — played their final game in the Edmunds Center against F.S.U., but the crowd that cheered them on was a record number — 6,144. Average attendance at Stetson games during the season was 4,083. Dave Stowers, 6-7 wing, garnered third place scoring honors with 11 per game average and rebounded at a five per game clip. It was Buzzy O'C'onnell and Paul Morris who proved to be great crowd pleasers in the season's last contests. Buzzy played point guard, and the opponents found out quickly that he was NOT just playing around. Scoring at an 8 per game average, his shots were mostly from 20 feet out, but there was an occasional slip in for a lay-up. Morris bounded from the bench to put extra defensive pressure on the enemy in tight situations. But the Seminoles learned fast that he was speedy with the moves and the shots. Paul accounted for nine points midway through the second half in the FSU game to ice the contest for the Hatters. Morris and Stowers are both juniors, and Buzzy is a sophomore. All return next year to carry the Hatter banner. The "Hatters Did Arrive in '75" and the 22-4 record tied a school record. The team, also, established new marks in the record book for total team defense (holding the opponents to a miserly 65.8 points per game average) and for rebound margin over the opposition (with a 12.5 average). Both qualified for national Tanking among the nation's majors. The rebound margin mark established Stetson as No. 1 in the country. (Photo courtesy Daytona Beach News Journal) THEY EARNED IT! Seniors Fred Ross, right, and Billy Seitz claim their well earned memento of the Hatter 63-54 victory over Florida State. Enthusiastic fans lofted the players following the final game in the Edmunds Center where the Hatters were undefeated. Junior teammate Paul Morris cheers them on. The FSU win climaxed a 22-4 season, and the seniors' college game careers. Perhaps one of the greatest achieve- of the winningest coaches in the na- ments of the past season was the national recognition the Hatters gained. The team regularly received votes in both the AP and UPI polls. A feature on the rise of Stetson as a major power moved on the AP national sports wire and was used by leading dailies throughout the country. Newspaper, radio and television coverage of the Stetson team was the envy of schools throughout the area. Coach Wilkes, already ranked as one tion, improved his record as a head coach to 287 wins and 196 losses •— a .594 percentage. The Hatter Club, one of the most enthusiastic booster groups in the country, thousands of loyal fans and season ticket holders, and the greatest aggregation of cheering, supporting students anywhere will now wait impatiently for next season. The Hatters arrived . . . and are here to stay! Stanley Marks Selected Alumni President-Elect Miami construction executive Stanley Marks, '55, was chosen presidentelect of Stetson's Alumni Association during the organization's annual Homecoming meeting Feb. 15. The firm Marks owns with his brothers specializes in road building, land development, drainage installation, rock pits, heavy equipment rental and general construction. Marks graduated from the univer sity with a major in education and was president of Omicron Delta Kappa and a member of Scabbard and Blade while in school. He was listed in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. He excelled in sports as well as campus leadership, playing varsity baseball three years. He served as captain of the team his senior year. He was captain of the Hatters football team and "S" Club president his senior year, also. continued on page 5