High Point University men's soccer player Josh Caron has been named the Big South Conference Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the 2025-26 season. This marks High Point's first male award since 2015-16 and Caron's impressive achievements include being the first men's soccer student-athlete to attain this honor. Additionally, he earned Academic All-America Second-Team recognition and various accolades as goalkeeper, leading his team to significant successes including their first NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen appearance. Caron has a notable record of performance, starting all 20 matches with an outstanding goals-against average of 0.76. He will return for his final year of eligibility after graduating with a finance degree last December.

By the Numbers
  • Caron achieved a 14-2-4 record with 9 complete shutouts and a goals-against average of 0.76.
  • He finished with 31 points in the Scholar-Athlete voting, surpassing competitors with 28 and 26 points, respectively.
Yes, But

While Caron’s achievements are commendable, there could be discussions regarding the competitiveness of the Big South Conference's athletic programs and the evolving criteria for academic awards, which often emphasize various performance metrics.

State of Play
  • Caron is currently preparing for another season, having already graduated.
  • High Point’s men’s soccer program gained attention due to their recent performance and historical NCAA advancement.
What's Next

As Caron returns for his final collegiate season, his performance will be critical to the Panthers’ ambition for further conference and NCAA tournament success, as well as potentially setting new records.

Bottom Line

Josh Caron’s recognition as Big South Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year underscores the intersection of academic excellence and athletic achievement. His leadership and performance set a high standard for future student-athletes at High Point University.