HIGH POINT, N.C. — Legendary High Point University Title IX Pioneer Kitty Steele passed away on Thursday. She was 97 years old.

"Kitty Steele was a pioneer and pillar for the evolution of women's sports at High Point University from the 1970's into the 1990's," HPU Vice President & Athletic Director Dan Hauser said. "Kitty was a championship head coach who was recognized nationally with both coach of the year awards and multiple Hall of Fame inductions. Equal to her legendary impact on HPU Athletics was her amazing positive spirit that forever changed the lives of student-athletes, staff, and community members. Kitty Steele was so proud of High Point University and today we celebrate how blessed our campus was to share in her success. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Steele family."

A pioneer navigating the early frontiers of women's athletics in Guilford County, Steele graduated from UNC Greensboro before beginning her career as a physical education professor at Guilford College. At Guilford, Steele became the first coach of the field hockey, volleyball, basketball and tennis teams.

She began her career at High Point College in 1976, where she taught and coached field hockey until 1985 while being the women's tennis head coach until 1992. Under Steele's leadership, HPU tennis finished fourth in the NAIA National Tournament twice and won 10 Carolinas Conference titles. The Panthers posted a 251-54 record in 15 years under Steele. She was named conference coach of the year 12 times and District 26 coach of the year on five occasions.

In addition to her tennis duties, Steele coached the women's field hockey team for 14 years, winning three North Carolina State Championships. She was an Associate Professor in the High Point University Physical Education department and was named the HPU 1992 Teacher of the Year.

In 2007, HPU dedicated the Jerry and Kitty Steele Sports Center, housing athletics offices, locker rooms and academic study areas. She was named to the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1993, Guilford College Hall of Fame in 2009, Guilford County Hall of Fame in 2015 and the HPU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016.

A memorial service is being set for Friday, January 9 at 2 p.m. It will be held at the Friendly Hills Church at 1450 Guilford College Road, Jamestown, N.C. Visitation is at 1 p.m.