Highlander Club

Support Houghton University Athletics

It is the mission of the Houghton University Athletics Department to compete with EXCELLENCE, lead by CHARACTER, and EXEMPLIFY JESUS CHRIST in our world. Our student-athletes strive to excel in the classroom, in their athletics venues, and in their daily walk with God. Historically we have accomplished these goals and our initial participation in the prestigious NCAA Empire 8 Conference promises future success.

However, our student-athletes benefit from the financial support of parents, alumni, and friends. Founded by members of our Athletics Advisory Board, Houghton University Athletics is pleased to present the Highlander Club, the official fund raising program for Highlander Athletics. This program benefits more than 250 student-athletes who compete in 18 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports. Your donation is crucial to enhance the student-athlete experience by providing NCCAA post-season opportunities, top-notch facilities and equipment, essential coaching support, and additional resources.

By investing in the Highlander Club, you are contributing to our mission, to continuing traditions of excellence, and to the success of our student-athletes now and in the future.

Highlander Club Giving Levels+

Purple & Gold Level* $5,000+
All-American Level* $1,000 - $4,999
All-Conference Level $500 - $999
Captain Level $250 - $499
Highlander Level $100 - $249
+Giving levels indicate total gifts to Highlanders Athletics during a single fiscal year (June 1 – May 31)
*Total giving of $1,000 or more to Houghton University during a fiscal year (June 1 – May 31) also provides membership in the 1883 Society

Highlander Club Benefits

Members will receive a distinctive Highlander Club decal and will be listed in our annual Athletics Recognition Banquet program.

Gift Options

Give Online

Set up a recurring monthly gift by credit card or automatic withdrawal.

To make a gift by check, please make it out to Highlander Club and mail to:

Office of Advancement
1 Willard Avenue
Houghton, NY 14744

Houghton staff member Skip Lord.

About Skip Lord

Skip Lord's heart for student-athletes and coaches has been a hallmark of his 30-years as a coach and administrator in intercollegiate athletics. Lord served as the executive director of intercollegiate athletics at Houghton College from 1994 until 2018, when he transitioned to his current position as National Director of Athletics Engagement in the university's Office of Advancement. In this position, Lord collaborates with key offices on campus to connect with alumni, parents, friends, and corporate sponsors, as well as current and prospective student-athletes. He also serves as a member of the Athletics Advisory Board and provides leadership to the Highlander Club.

Under Lord's direction, the athletics program at Houghton grew to be one of the most respected among small schools in the Northeast. He most recently provided oversight to the university's growth from 10 sports to 18, their transition into NCAA Division III and the Empire 8 Conference, and spearheaded a two-year multi-million dollar facilities project that included the Kerr-Pegula Field House and baseball and softball stadiums.

Lord also served as first vice president for the Empire 8 Conference and still serves as a member of the NCAA Common Ground Think Tank. During the university's NAIA membership, he was active in leadership roles on conference, regional and national levels, and was highly involved in the organization's Champions of Character initiative. He served as a conference commissioner and was elected as chair of NAIA Region IX to represent the region's 22 schools to the Council of Athletic Administrators at the national level.

In 2001 and 2008 Lord was named one of four winners in the NAIA Athletic Director of the Year Award, given by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. He was twice named NAIA Northeast Region Male Administrator of the Year, is a three-time conference administrator of the year, and was named 1999-2000 NAIA Region IX Athletics Director of the Year.

Lord also served as Houghton's women's basketball head coach for 25 years, recording more than 350 wins and guiding his teams to four NAIA National Tournaments. He was inducted into the university's Athletics Hall of Honor in 2012.

Questions?

Please contact the Office of Advancement at 585-567-9364, or email H. "Skip" Lord, National Director of Athletics Engagement.