鈥淐oach Biggs understands HLG鈥檚 athletic programs provide a platform for advancing the university鈥檚 mission by developing a Christ-honoring environment for students, student-athletes, coaches, families, and fans,鈥� said HLGU Transitional President Dr. Rodney Harrison

Biggs has served as the division chair of exercise and sports science since 2015 but has been an instructor/assistant professor in the program since 2002.聽He has been part of the HLGU community for 20 years, and in 2021 was awarded the Parkway Distinguished Professor Award for his substantial contributions to Christian higher education at HLGU.

“I am excited about the future of athletics at Hannibal-Lagrange University,鈥� Biggs said. 鈥淚 am a big believer in Christian higher education and the impact it has on the welfare of our culture. Athletics at HLGU has a rich history of enhancing the college experience for our students and campus community. I am so grateful to get to work alongside the coaching staff we currently have in place, many of whom I have known for many years.”

Biggs was hired as the baseball coach in 2002 and continued in that role through 2015. According to the records, Biggs accumulated over 240 wins during his tenure.聽He helped start the cross-country program as the first head coach and served in that role from 2002 through 2005. During his time at HLGU, Biggs has taken on many other leadership roles including the American Midwest Conference Baseball Chair, Higher Learning Commission site visit Criterion Chair, and most recently the chair of a committee that revised the general education requirements for all majors.

Biggs received his undergraduate degree from Truman State in 2000 and continued his education in Kirksville, completing his master鈥檚 degree in exercise science in 2002. Biggs also holds certifications in personal training and strength and conditioning. In 2013, he was chosen by the American Midwest Conference as the Coach of Character. Biggs also achieved the status of Colson Fellow in 2021 by completing the Colson Fellows Program that educates people of strong faith with relevant skills, biblical knowledge, and a solid Christian worldview.

“Over the last 20 years, Clay聽has established himself as a proven leader here at HLGU,鈥� said Executive Vice President and Academic Dean, Dr. Robert Matz. 鈥淚n both the classroom and on the playing field, Biggs has modeled the Christian character, servant-oriented leadership, and the student-focused attitude that helps to make HLGU such a unique university. In Biggs, our athletic department, student-athletes, coaches, and sports teams are in capable hands in this season of transition.”

The NAIA website states, “Institutions are聽measured on a demonstrated commitment to Champions of Character and earned points in character training, conduct in competition, academic focus, character recognition, and character promotion. Institutions earned points based on exceptional student-athlete grade-point averages and by having minimal to no聽ejections during competition throughout the course of the academic year.”聽 The five core character values of the NAIA are integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.

The Trojans’ Champions of Character liaison is Assistant Baseball Coach,聽.聽 He shared, “This achievement is a natural overflow of our Christian emphasis and is something that the whole department came together to accomplish.聽 Our athletics have always been character driven, and we take pride in standing out amongst our peers.”聽 Athletic Director, Jason Nichols added, “I am proud of our coaches and student-athletes.聽 They are to be commended on receiving this honor.”

One way to earn points for the award is by doing service projects on campus and in the community of Hannibal.聽 HLGU requests each athletic team to invest in a project of this sort at least once annually.聽 Some examples of past community service projects can be found online at .聽 Additional resources on the page include videos created by the HLGU Communication Studies Department about each NAIA core value.