CLUB SPORTS CELEBRATE RECORD-SETTING YEAR: With 30 teams, the options continue to expand.

• Position: INSPIRING ENVIRONMENT: #SQUADGOALS - High Point University

A few short years ago, High Point University offered just a handful of club sports opportunities for students. However, during the 2016-17 academic year, HPU's 30 club sports programs--featuring over 500 students--experienced unprecedented success while continuing to become a focal point for the university moving forward.

Thanks to the success of the club sports programs, HPU will continue to grow the options and opportunities for all students to participate in club sports throughout campus. As a result, HPU hired its first full-time club sports director, Jacob Crawford, for the 2017-18 season and welcomed 600 athletes.

Featured on these pages are examples of successful club sports teams, as well as the expansive variety offered to students.

ROWING

The largest example of growth seen in HPU club sports has come from the university's rowing team. The program started in 2012 with just a dozen rowers, but has blossomed into the largest club roster on campus with over 60 athletes.

Increasing size isn't the only indicator of success for the program, however. Over the last two years, the team has claimed six medals at the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association Finals, including a silver medal in the men's lightweight and bronze in the women's lightweight in 2017.

BASEBALL

The club baseball team posted a 16-4 regular season record, including a 9-2 mark en route to a National Club Baseball Association District IV-Central title. The Panthers headed to the final week of the regular season tied for first in the conference with Lander, but swept a double-header against Lander to claim the league championship.

Despite falling in the playoffs to eventual national semifinalist Florida Gulf Coast University, the program showed incredible growth and featured an NCBA Division II First Team All-American in outfielder Chad Thomas--the program's first All-American. Along with Thomas' accolade, the Panthers were ranked 23rd nationally in the final NCBA poll and claimed their first conference championship.

MEN'S LACROSSE

Along with the baseball team's spring success, the men's lacrosse team posted its best season in the program's history. The squad went 3-0 in National College Lacrosse League's Blue Ridge Division II Conference to qualify for the playoffs.

The Panthers entered the playoffs with a 4-2 record before falling in a hard-fought 8-6 contest against Virginia Commonwealth University. Later that day, the season came to an end with a setback to...