April 3, 2008

Spartanburg, S.C. - The USC Upstate men's soccer program is hosting its annual Alumni Weekend Friday and Saturday as more than 30 former Spartans/Rifles will make the trip back to Spartanburg for fun, fellowship and festivities.

The men's soccer program has a storied tradition at the University, one marked by exceptional success throughout the existence of the program. Founded as a club team in 1979 and moved to varsity level in 1980, the men's soccer program quickly became one of the top programs in the country, finishing third in the NAIA National Championships three straight years from 1983-85.

As the program moved into NCAA Division II membership in the early 1990s, the Spartans thrived. Upstate made 10 appearances in the NCAA Division II Tournament, making two appearances in the national championship match in 1995 and 1998, both finals hosted on campus at old Rifle Field. Through its 16-year membership in the Peach Belt Conference, the Spartans won seven regular season and nine tournament championships. Along the way, Upstate played for the tournament title in 14 of the 16 years.

As Upstate makes its transition into NCAA Division I and the A-Sun, the loyalty and tradition that the former players bring to the program is important. They stand as the foundation and spirit of the program.

The weekend's festivities will begin with a golf tournament at 1:00 p.m. on Friday followed by the Alumni Game at 7:00 Friday night. The Alumni Game will feature the former players against the current Spartan team. A social at Delaney's will follow the Alumni Game. Saturday's events begin with a 4 v. 4 tournament at CFC at 1:00 p.m. and a social at Wild Wing Café in Greenville at 7:00 p.m.

Here is a list of the former Spartans who are expected to return for Alumni Weekend: Jon Anderson, Trevor Anderson, Jorge Atehortua, Lee Ballenger, Nestor Chacon, Justin Collett, Keenon Copeland, James Eley, Scott Halkett, Musa Kaba, Jerry Kandakai, Allan Kelleher, Gary Lynch, Matt Lucas, Terence McGee, Paul McGinty, Daniel McKell, Jack Merry, Jeff Negalha, John Andrew Rousseau, Rory Scovel, Janiel Simon, Liam Slack, Saul Stoner, David Stovall, Nolan Svalstedt, Neil Thompson, Bret Van der Merwe, Brandon Williams.