When the High Point University men's soccer team reports to preseason training camp on Aug. 12, the team will be welcomed into a renovated locker room and lounge in the Steele Sports Center. The project puts HPU's soccer facilities among the best in the NCAA, and it was made possible by a $50,000 anonymous donation.
"This project, coupled with our outstanding stadium puts HPU's soccer facilities in the top tier regionally and nationally," said head coach
Dustin Fonder. "We hope this will be another driving force to help us compete for championships. The renovations show the consistent support that the High Point University administration gives to its athletic programs and we are extremely grateful for the donation that has been made toward the project."
In addition to the $50,000 anonymous gift, the donor will match additional gifts to support the men's soccer team up to $50,000 during the next fiscal year. With additional gifts, supporters may name lockers or other areas of the renovated facilities. Anyone interested in contributing to High Point University Athletics should contact Associate Athletic Director Rob Aycock at (336) 841-4615 or
raycock@highpoint.edu.
"We have received generous support and our anonymous donor has given us a challenge to raise even more money for the team by matching gifts throughout the next year," said Fonder. "We would love to see continued support while we have this unique opportunity."
The men's soccer locker room and lounge will be located on the lower level of the Steele Sports Center where the visiting team locker room was formerly located. The men's soccer coaches' offices have been relocated to that area of the building, creating a consolidated area for the team. The locker room will have custom wooden locker rooms and a sound system. The team lounge will be adjacent to the locker room with high-end furniture, an HD television and a study area.
The High Point University men's soccer team has shown outstanding progress over the past two seasons. The team went 9-8-3 overall and 4-2-2 in Big South play in 2008 – the team's first winning season since joining NCAA Div. I. In 2009, the team built upon that progress with a 9-7-2 overall record and 5-1-2 conference mark, finishing second in the Big South regular season. Fonder was named Big South Coach of the Year.
For the 2010 season, High Point returns Big South Freshman of the Year
Shawn Sloan, who was also named first-team All-Big South. HPU returns sophomores
Fejiro Okiomah and
Todd Ray, who each were named second-team All-Big South, as well as
Karo Okiomah, who tied with Sloan and
Matt Tuttle with a team-leading 14 points.
HPU is hosting the Big South Championship at Vert Stadium Nov. 11-14. The tournament begins with four quarterfinal games on Thursday, Nov. 11 followed by the semifinals on Friday and the championship game on Sunday, Nov. 14.
