Spec Martin Memorial Stadium in DeLand, Florida — home of Stetson Hatters football

    Spec Martin Memorial Stadium

    Quick answer: Spec Martin Memorial Stadium is a 6,000-seat municipal football stadium at 260 E Euclid Ave in DeLand. It hosts Stetson Hatters football and DeLand High School soccer — and it was a principal filming location for the fictional SCLSU stadium in The Waterboy (1998).

    Location

    Address: 260 E Euclid Ave, DeLand, FL 32724
    Hours: Event-driven; check Stetson Athletics for the football schedule
    Get directions on Google Maps

    Stetson Hatters football

    Stetson returned to Division I FCS football in 2013 after a multi-decade hiatus. Home games are played at Spec Martin Stadium from late August through November, drawing crowds of students, alumni, and the DeLand community. The stadium's compact scale gives Stetson games a genuinely intimate atmosphere relative to most FCS programs [S151].

    DeLand High School soccer

    DeLand High School's varsity soccer teams play their home matches at Spec Martin. The Bulldogs have been a competitive Class 6A/7A program with multiple state-tournament appearances, including FHSAA state-championship runs in the 2018–2020 stretch [S151].

    The Waterboy filming location

    In 1998, Spec Martin Memorial Stadium served as the principal filming location for the fictional SCLSU Mud Dogs stadium in The Waterboy. The stadium's small-college scale made it an ideal stand-in for the film's "Division IV" South Central Louisiana State University setting. Exterior bowl shots, endzone sequences, and the climactic championship scene were all filmed here [S108].

    The Waterboy filmed in DeLand — full deep page

    Getting there & parking

    • 260 E Euclid Ave — on DeLand's east side.
    • Public parking at and around the stadium (free for most events).
    • ~5-minute drive from Downtown DeLand; ~10-minute walk.
    • Seats are metal-bench; bring a cushion for long events.

    Frequently asked questions

    Where is Spec Martin Memorial Stadium?
    260 E Euclid Ave, DeLand, FL 32724 — on DeLand's east side, about a 5-minute drive from Downtown.
    What teams play at Spec Martin Stadium?
    The Stetson Hatters football team (NCAA Division I FCS) and DeLand High School soccer teams. [S151]
    Was The Waterboy filmed at Spec Martin Stadium?
    Yes — Spec Martin Memorial Stadium served as the fictional SCLSU Mud Dogs stadium in The Waterboy (1998). Exterior bowl shots, endzone sequences, and the climactic championship scene were filmed here. [S108]
    Is the stadium open to the public when there's no game?
    The field is typically locked outside event days. The parking area and exterior are publicly accessible — The Waterboy filming-tour guidance lives on the film's deep page.
    What's the seating capacity?
    Approximately 6,000 seats. [S151]
    Can I book Spec Martin Stadium for a private event?
    The stadium is owned by the City of DeLand and used by Stetson University and DeLand High School. Contact the City of DeLand for private rental inquiries.