CLEVELAND, Ohio – The High Point University women's rowing program has accepted an invitation to become an affiliate member of the Mid-American Conference as the MAC announced the addition of the women's rowing to its sport offerings on Friday, July 19. The women's rowing championship season will begin in 2025-2026.
 
"We are very excited for our High Point University women's rowing program to gain affiliate membership into the Mid-American Conference," HPU Vice President and Athletic Director Dan Hauser said! "HPU announced the addition of women's rowing in the winter of 2023 and to now position the program into a conference represents the strength of the High Point University reputation. The quality of the MAC membership will provide an outstanding competitive environment for our HPU student-athletes, and the affiliation also ensures the Panthers the opportunity to earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Rowing Championships. We thank the MAC leadership for the invitation to join the conference and we look forward to competing for championships!"
 
Heading into the 2025-26 academic year, High Point will be joined by Eastern Michigan, Toledo, UMass, Delaware, and Temple as MAC women's rowing programs competing for an inaugural MAC Championship in the spring of 2026. The championship will be hosted by Eastern Michigan at Lakeside Park on Ford Lake for at least the first three seasons.
 
The Panthers will participate in an Invitational, hosted by the MAC, in the spring of 2025 at the championship site, while competing in various regattas throughout the inaugural 2024-25 season.
 
"I am thrilled to have our new women's rowing program join the Mid-American Conference," HPU Head Coach Jessica Dietrick stated. "I believe the addition of women's rowing to the MAC is great for the sport of rowing and for the programs involved. Together we will make a competitive field that enhances our student-athlete's experiences. For High Point University, this is a great place for us to be and develop into a highly-competitive program and nationally-recognized name. We are looking forward to the first conference championship in May 2026!"
 
Stay tuned to highpointpanthers.com for more information regarding upcoming dates and a complete women's rowing schedule.