J. Ollie Edmunds Center – Stetson Hatters

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29

J. Ollie Edmunds Center 202 E Pennsylvania Ave DeLand, FL 32724

Year Opened: 1974

Capacity: 5,000

Basketball Potential in DeLand

The basketball program at Stetson University has seen a surge in success lately, making a Cinderella run in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Putting themselves on the map has helped fan interest, but the game day experience on campus is both impressive and odd. Nonetheless, a game at Edmunds Center is a great option for college basketball fans in Central Florida who don’t want to break the bank.

Food & Beverage 3

There is only one concession stand at Edmunds Center. Located right inside the main entrance, it features a simple menu with great pricing. Hot dogs ($6), nachos ($4), pretzels ($4), popcorn ($3), and smaller snacks are available ($1-$5). Drinks are limited to sodas ($5) and water ($4). This means grabbing a bit to eat at the game won’t break the bank, but the lack of options is a distinct downside.

Atmosphere 3

The exterior of Edmunds Center is so generic and devoid of interest that one would be excused from driving right past it without realizing they had done so; simple type face lettering on the exterior of the gymnasium is all that indicates you have arrived at a D1 sports facility. Once inside, the main lobby is home to numerous trophy cases for Stetson athletics, as well as memorial busts of historic figures from the school’s past.

The inside of the arena is impressive in its layout for a collegiate gymnasium. No baseline seating exists, but both sidelines have plenty of seating. The bench side seating section is general admission with bench-style seats, while the opposite side features individual backed seats with multiple levels. However, on most game days the majority of that side of the arena is incredibly dark, as the lighting is turned off – this creates an almost dark void for anyone sitting on the opposite side looking this way.

The addition of a video replay board is a welcome touch, as is the lighting during player intros. But ultimately, this arena is still a gymnasium in disguise.

Neighborhood 4

Edmunds Center is located on the campus of Stetson University. The arena is located just a short distance from the heart of downtown DeLand, Florida. DeLand is known for being one of the quintessential small towns in Central Florida, featuring the quietness one would expect from such an atmosphere. In addition, the town is just a short drive up I-4 from Daytona Beach, only an hour from Orlando, and is surrounded by several state parks and great nature areas.

For those wanting to travel and see the sights, Blue Springs State Park is home to thousands of manatees in the winter months. In addition, the NASCAR Racing Experience is not far away, located just north on I-4 in Daytona Beach. For hotels, Comfort Inn DeLand and Hampton Inn & Suites DeLand are the closest spots.

Fans 3

The fans in DeLand are loyal to their hometown collegiate teams – after their miracle run in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, interest in the basketball program spiked. However, after a disappointing season last year, attendance is back down to dismal levels for some games. While weekend and theme night games can bring large crowds of locals, regular weekday matchups are quiet and sparsely attended. In addition, most of the fans at these games are either students who come and go throughout the game, or older locals who cannot match the enthusiasm of their younger compatriots, making for a quieter home court.

Access 3

Getting to Edmunds Center involves driving on some small-town roads through DeLand – you have to take either exit 116 or 118 from I-4 to get to DeLand. Once there, the arena is off Woodland Ave.

Parking is plentiful on site and across the street, making finding a spot easy. Most lots are free on game nights, even for on-site parking. Getting around the facility is also easy, thanks to plenty of signage around to help you figure out where your seats are.

Return on Investment 4

Tickets to Stetson basketball games are rather affordable; general admission is just $10, while a reserved chair back seat is just $12. Reserved grey seats are $15, while reserved padded seats range from $20 to $25. Premium riser seating is $30, with a courtside seat just $40. Coupled with cheap concessions and free parking, you have the holy grail of affordability for college basketball in Central Florida. The downside here is the lack of a hardcore home court advantage on a nightly basis.

Extras 3

Stetson’s band is present at home games, adding to the college atmosphere. Additionally, the Stetson mascot roams the seats during the game, entertaining fans and posing for photos throughout the night.

In addition, you can see the team’s banners hanging in the rafters, showcasing previous successes for the Hatters basketball team.

Final Thoughts

Though on and off when it comes to popularity in recent years, Stetson is an incredibly affordable option for basketball fans in Central Florida. Free parking and cheap tickets makes this a great option to take the whole family to watch some college sports.