High Point Panthers

High Point Panthers
Logo
UniversityHigh Point University
ConferenceBig South Conference (primary)
Atlantic 10 Conference (men's lacrosse)
Independent (women's rowing, 2024–25)
Mid-American Conference (women's rowing from 2025–26)
NCAADivision I
Athletic directorDan Hauser
LocationHigh Point, North Carolina
Varsity teams17
Basketball arenaQubein Center
Baseball stadiumGeorge S. Erath Field at Coy O. Williard Baseball Stadium
Other venuesMillis Center (volleyball)
Vert Track, Soccer and Lacrosse Stadium (track, soccer, lacrosse)
MascotProwler the Panther
NicknamePanthers
ColorsPurple and white[1]
   
Websitewww.highpointpanthers.com
High Point is a member of the Big South Conference.

The High Point Panthers are the 17 varsity athletic teams that represent High Point University (HPU) in High Point, North Carolina, United States. All of HPU's varsity teams compete at the NCAA Division I level. All sports except men's lacrosse and women's rowing compete in the Big South Conference. The men's lacrosse team joined the Atlantic 10 Conference after the 2022 season. Women's rowing was added in 2024–25,[2] initially competing as an independent until joining the new rowing league of the Mid-American Conference in 2025–26.[3] The Panthers joined Division I in 1999, after having been NCAA Division II and being members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) prior to 1992. HPU was a founding member of the North State Conference, which is now the NCAA Division II Conference Carolinas.[4]

Dan Hauser became HPU's athletic director in May 2014. He replaced Craig Keilitz, who held the position from 2008 to 2014. Keilitz replaced Woody Gibson, who had been AD since 1999. HPU's other previous athletic directors include Jerry Steele, who was also basketball coach from 1972 to 2003, and Virgil Yow, who was also a coach. HPU's main athletic facilities are the Millis Center (volleyball), Vert Stadium (track, soccer and lacrosse) and Williard Stadium (baseball). In September 2018, ground broke on the Qubein Center (full name: Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center). The facility will host men's and women's basketball and seat 4,500 spectators. It was originally scheduled to open for the 2020–21 school year, but construction delays brought on by COVID-19 have delayed the opening to 2021–22.

  1. ^ "High Point Colors". Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  2. ^ "High Point University to Add Women's Rowing to Division I Sport Offerings" (Press release). High Point Panthers. February 15, 2023. Archived from the original on August 24, 2023. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  3. ^ "Mid-American Conference to add Women's Rowing in 2025-26" (Press release). Mid-American Conference. July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  4. ^ "Conference Carolinas". Conference Carolinas. Archived from the original on 2016-01-30. Retrieved 2015-09-21.