HIGH POINT, N.C. – Two days after the announcement of the formation of the High Point University Intercollegiate Club Sports (ICS) triathlon program, ICS Director of Athletics, Dr. Stephen Denny announced that Matthew Clancy has been named as the first head coach for the Panthers.

The High Point University ICS program announced the addition of a triathlon program on April 20th and will begin competition in Fall 2026. The addition marks the 26th sport and 42nd team to the ICS programs offered at High Point University.

Clancy is a USA Triathlon Level III and IRONMAN Certified Coach who earned his master's degree in sport psychology in 2007 from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and has owned E3 Endurance since 2013. The Triad-based company has been a USA Triathlon Certified Training Center for endurance athletes from ages 5 to 75 years old. E3 Endurance specializes in endurance performance from bike fittings, VO2 Max testing, team/individual training and development.

"The opportunity to build a collegiate triathlon program unlike any other at High Point University is thrilling, and I am looking forward to creating a culture of learning, developing and competing at the highest levels in this sport," said Clancy. "Triathlon is a great teacher of like skills that will help these students far beyond their experience at High Point. I'm thankful for this opportunity and excited to get started."

Since 2022, Clancy has helped in the development and creation of the NCAA Division III triathlon program at Greensboro College, whereas an assistant coach he played a key role in allowing collegiate women to compete in the highest levels of draft-legal racing. In 2024, Clancy also began the North Carolina Junior Triathlon Series as a race director and coordinator of a six-race, statewide series for junior triathletes ages 7-19 years old in North Carolina.

Along with working with student-athletes at Greensboro College, Clancy has also coached multiple sports and teams including Caldwell Academy School Swim Team, XC Team, Track & Field (2016-22), Greensboro Country Club swim team (2016-20), Canterbury School swim team (2014-20), New Garden Friends cross country team (2016-20) and Team Victory Junction Gang (2012-14).

He also coached the 2007 Yale University collegiate triathlon team earning third place in the long course national championship at Ironman Wisconsin.

A former professional triathlete (2004-2007), Clancy earned 15 wins during his four years.  He returned to age-group racing in 2008, winning the 2012 USA Triathlon Aqua-Bike (35-39) National Champion, and recently participating in the Ironman World Championships (2024, 2025).  He earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from West Virginia University in 1995.

Clancy will work with developing a High Point University ICS program that is one of the fastest-growing competitive offerings on campus. It currently features 24 sports, 39 teams, and engages 900 student-athletes, with long-term expansion plans still underway. These teams compete in conference, regional and national tournaments and train in state-of-the-art athletic facilities that mirror the standards and expectations of HPU's NCAA Division I programs.

With the addition of Clancy as the High Point University ICS triathlon coach, the Panthers immediately place themselves among top-level programs across the country. Clancy's approach to scheduling, which includes participating in regionally and nationally recognized events, will both generate excitement and set the Panthers' program apart on a national and international landscape. These events will play a key role in continuing to develop recruiting for both the ICS program and High Point University as a whole.