HIGH POINT, N.C. — A central North Carolina baseball team is under new ownership.

What You Need To Know

  • Nicholas Sturdifen bought the High Point Hushpuppies

  • The Virginia native always loved sports

  • The team is midway through the summer season

Nicholas Sturdifen bought the High Point Hushpuppies in January. He said he’s always had a love for sports.

“Never played baseball," Sturdifen said. "Always been in sports. I played college football. Played soccer growing up. Basketball. Love sports. Always knowing I would be involved in the sport for them. Even after I stopped the athletic part of it.”

He's setting new goals to help young people in the community. Recruiting players from across the country … especially the Triad and those underserved.

“Offer new opportunities of access, and show people that you can actually be an owner, not just an athlete," he said.

As the new owner, he’s working to turn a new leaf for the collegiate summer league baseball team by giving more underrepresented players a chance to join the sport. 

“I think just kind of building awareness in what sports and what baseball can offer to people of color," he said. "That's what I'm interested in. And it doesn't have to be limited. ... It's not just about race. It's about those who may not have the opportunity to get into this sport, who may not have the opportunity to be introduced. And that's really what's important to me.”