
The High Point Panthers are the basketball team representing High Point University in NCAA Division I competition. The team, based in High Point, North Carolina, plays in the Big South Conference. The men's basketball team won the Big South Tournament in 2025, making it to the NCAA for the first time in history. The women's basketball team also earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament that year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Division | I |
| Location | High Point, North Carolina |
| Conference | Big South |
| Nickname | Panthers |
| Colors | Purple and White |
| First Appearance in NCAA Division I Tournament | 2025 |
| First Game | December 10, 1927 |
| First Coach | J.P. Boylin |
| Number of Seasons with J.P. Boylin | 3 |
| J.P. Boylin's Record | 39–16 |
| Second Coach | Julian Beall |
| Number of Seasons with Julian Beall | 2 |
| Julian Beall's Record | 16–21 |
| Third Coach | Virgil Yow |
| Year Virgil Yow was Hired | 1932 |
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What You'll Learn
- High Point University's basketball team competes in Division I of the NCAA
- The team's nickname is the Panthers
- The team's colours are purple and white
- The Panthers have appeared in the NCAA Division I tournament once
- The High Point University women's basketball team earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament in 2025

High Point University's basketball team competes in Division I of the NCAA
The team began playing as part of the North State Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NSC) in 1930. In 1993, the school and conference began transitioning to NCAA Division II. During this period, the Panthers made two appearances in the NCAA Division II tournament. In 1997, they left Conference Carolinas and joined the Big South Conference in 1999, transitioning to NCAA Division I.
The Panthers men's basketball team has had a number of notable coaches throughout its history. In 1944, during World War II, the college faced a male student shortage, so coach Yow recruited female student Nancy Isenhour to play on the team, making her the first woman to play on a collegiate men's basketball team. Yow retired with a record of 342–215. He was followed by Tom Quinn, who served as head coach for four years, making two NAIA tournament appearances and winning two Conference Carolinas tournaments.
In 2003, Bart Lundy was hired as head coach, coaching for six seasons and compiling a record of 96–87. Scott Cherry was hired as coach in 2009, and in his fourth year, he led the Panthers to their first postseason appearance since joining NCAA Division I. The High Point University women's basketball team has also achieved success, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history.
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The team's nickname is the Panthers
The High Point University basketball team has the nickname the Panthers. The Panthers compete in the NCAA Division I, as part of the Big South Conference. The team's colours are purple and white.
The High Point Panthers men's basketball team has a long history, beginning play in the 1927-28 season under the name High Point College. The first game was a 37-35 win over the Carolina Night Hawks, and the team went on to a 14-4 record in their inaugural season. The Panthers have had a variety of coaches over the years, with the first coach, J.P. Boylin, serving for three seasons and finishing with a 39-16 record. The team began playing in the North State Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NSC) in 1930, with Virgil Yow hired as the third coach in 1932.
Yow had a successful tenure, coaching for 13 seasons and winning two conference championships before leaving to coach the Hanes Hosiery AAU women's team. The Panthers then hired Ralph James as the football and basketball coach in 1945, who previously played for Wake Forrest and coached at Western Carolina. Bob Davis was hired in 1950 and won two conference titles in three years before leaving for Georgetown College and eventually Auburn.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the Panthers were coached by Tom Quinn, who had previously won the Conference Carolinas title with Newberry College. He compiled a record of 95-22 in four years and made two NAIA tournament appearances. The Panthers then hired Jerry Steele in 1972, who coached for 32 years and is the winningest coach in program history with a record of 493-412. During his tenure, the team transitioned to NCAA Division II and made two appearances in the Division II men's basketball tournament.
In recent years, the Panthers have continued to experience success. In 2013, under coach Scott Cherry, the team won the Big South North Division, earning their first postseason appearance since joining NCAA Division I. The following year, they again won the Big South North Division championship and the regular season championship. In 2025, the men's basketball team won the Big South Tournament and made their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. The women's basketball team also earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament that year, their second appearance in program history.
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The team's colours are purple and white
The High Point University men's basketball team, also known as the High Point Panthers, compete in Division I of the NCAA. The team's colours are purple and white.
The High Point Panthers have a long and proud history, with the team first taking to the court in the 1927-28 season under coach J.P. Boylin. Boylin led the team to a successful first season with a 14-4 record. Over the years, the team has seen several notable coaches and players come through its ranks, including Tubby Smith, Gene Littles, and Arizona Reid.
In the 2024-25 season, the High Point University men's basketball team achieved a historic milestone by winning the Big South Tournament and advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time. This success can be attributed to the leadership of Coach Huss, who guided the team to an impressive season. The team's colours, purple and white, were proudly displayed as they competed on the national stage.
The women's basketball team at High Point University has also achieved remarkable success. In the same season, they earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history. This accomplishment further showcases the university's excellence in basketball across both the men's and women's teams, with purple and white being a common thread uniting the two squads.
The colours purple and white are a source of pride and unity for the High Point University basketball teams. They represent the spirit and passion of the players and fans alike. The distinctive colours create a sense of community and camaraderie within the university, with students and supporters donning purple and white to show their support during games. The colours have become synonymous with the teams' identity, and their visibility only continues to grow with each successful season.
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The Panthers have appeared in the NCAA Division I tournament once
The High Point Panthers men's basketball team represents High Point University in High Point, North Carolina, in NCAA Division I competition. The team plays in the Big South Conference and made their first appearance in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 2025.
The Panthers have only appeared in the NCAA Division I tournament once, in 2025, marking the first time in the university's history that the men's basketball team had reached the NCAA Division I level. This was an impressive achievement for the team and a significant moment for High Point University.
Prior to this, the team had a long history of competing in various other basketball tournaments and divisions. The team began playing as part of the North State Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NSC) in 1930 and joined the Big South Conference in 1999, transitioning to NCAA Division I.
The High Point Panthers men's basketball team has undergone several coaching changes throughout its history. The team's first coach, J.P. Boylin, led them to a successful first season in 1927-1928, with a record of 14-4 across three seasons. Subsequent coaches, such as Virgil Yow and Tom Quinn, also found success, with Yow coaching the team for 13 seasons and Quinn leading them to two NAIA tournament appearances.
Despite their sole appearance in the NCAA Division I tournament, the Panthers have a rich basketball history and have achieved notable accomplishments in other divisions and tournaments.
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The High Point University women's basketball team earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament in 2025
The High Point University women's basketball team, the Panthers, earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament in 2025 by winning the Big South Championship. This was the Panthers' second conference title in their program's history and the second time in five years that they secured a place in the Tournament.
High Point University is a Division I university, located in High Point, North Carolina. Its team colours are purple and white, and its nickname is the Panthers.
The Panthers' success in 2025 was not an isolated incident; their victory in the Big South Championship demonstrates a consistent level of excellence in women's basketball. The team's performance in the NCAA Tournament will be highly anticipated, given their impressive track record.
The women's basketball team at High Point University has proven their prowess on the court, and their achievements have brought recognition to the university. With their determination and skill, the Panthers have become a force to be reckoned with in the world of collegiate athletics. Their dedication to excellence has paid off, and the team's hard work has been rewarded with a well-deserved automatic bid to the prestigious NCAA Tournament.
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Frequently asked questions
The High Point University basketball team, also known as the Panthers, is in Division I of the NCAA.
The High Point University basketball team plays in the Big South Conference.
The High Point University basketball team first competed in the NCAA Division I tournament in 2025.











































