USC Upstate athletics and Ingles Markets announce partnership
2/12/2020 9:00:00 AM | General
Ingles becomes the official grocery store of USC Upstate athletics
The USC Upstate athletics department and Ingles Markets have entered into a long term partnership that names the Asheville, N.C. based grocer as the official grocery store of the Upstate Spartans.
The wide-ranging agreement includes community partnerships, a vast array of marketing elements including in-venue fan engagement opportunities and prominent signage including on the Hodge Center court. In addition, Ingles assumes the naming rights to the Champions Suite inside the Hodge Center, will feature select Upstate live events as part of their local television package and will play an important role in the expansion of the Spartan Fuel Bar for student-athlete wellness. Outside of athletics, Ingles will help support the University's Spartan Pantry, whose mission is to provide food, nutritional information and other basic necessities to USC Upstate students in need as well as educate the campus population on poverty and hunger.
"Ingles is a philanthropic community focused company with strong core values that align with those of our University, and USC Upstate Athletics is proud to collaborate with Ingles on such a comprehensive partnership," said Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Daniel Feig. "This partnership will help advance the health and wellbeing of our 250+ student-athletes so that they can perform better in the classroom and on the field of play, while also helping advance the strategic priorities of our department. I also want to specifically thank Ingles' director of advertising and entertainment, Melissa Leavell, for working so hard to make sure this partnership helps advance the mission of USC Upstate and our footprint in the region. We are excited to promote the Ingles brand to our fans, alumni, and community and look forward to growing our partnership in the future."   Â
"Ingles and USC Upstate share similar commitments to the community and to our employees." said Melissa Leavell, director of advertising and entertainment for Ingles. "It is only fitting that we would share in a partnership that would extend our capabilities together. We are thrilled to be part of such a wonderful organization and to work together to build a strong and giving community."
The first live telecast of a USC Upstate athletic event as part of the new Ingles partnership will take place Thursday, February 27 as the Spartans men's basketball team hosts Winthrop at 6:00 pm from the Eddie and Ann Payne Arena at the G. B. Hodge Center. The contest will air in the Upstate of South Carolina and Western North Carolina on WYCW-TV 62 and a host of other Nexstar Media Group affiliates.Â
The partnership extends beyond the campus as Ingles will also brand two Spartanburg area locations in USC Upstate Spartans logos and signage throughout. The soon-to-be Spartan adorned Ingles stores are located near the campus at 2121 Boiling Springs Road and an additional location to be announced soon.
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GIVING BACK
Complimentary baseball and softball admission courtesy of Ingles
Effective immediately, Ingles will sponsor the admission charge for all USC Upstate home baseball and softball games for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Admission to all regular season home games at Harley Park and Cyrill Stadium will be complimentary to all fans thanks to Ingles. Look for events throughout the season for the opportunity to give back to various charities through the donation of food items, pet or school supplies in lieu of a paid admission.
Donations for every Spartan 3-pointer and strikeout
Ingles will donate $3 for every 3-point shot made during the 2019-20 season in the name of the USC Upstate men's and women's basketball team to the Gibbs Cancer Center and Research Institute to support the Center's programming for survivorship as well as current patients in special financial need. As of February 4, 2020, the Upstate men's and women's teams had combined for 243 made three point shots to date throughout the 2019-20 season.
Ingles will also make a $1 donation for every strikeout this season by the Spartans on the baseball and softball diamond as part of "K's for Kids". For every baseball strikeout, a donation will be made to the Carolina Miracle League, a baseball league based in Spartanburg County for children and teens with mental and/or physical challenges. For every softball strikeout, a donation will be made to the Hope Remains Ranch located in Wellford, SC. Hope Remains Ranch provides equine therapy for abused and troubled children.
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FAN ENGAGEMENT
Hit the bullseye!
Among the many activations fans will see in the coming weeks and months, one will be obvious for Spartan baseball and softball fans. For all home games in both sports, anytime a Spartan hits the Ingles bullseye on the outfield wall, every fan in the ballpark will receive a coupon for a free sub sandwich combo from the Ingles Deli!
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About Ingles
Ingles Markets, Incorporated is a leading supermarket chain with operations in six Southeastern stats. Headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina, the Company operates 202 supermarkets. In conjunction with its supermarket operations, the Company operates neighborhood shopping centers, most of which contain an Ingles supermarket. The company also owns a fluid dairy facility that supplies Company supermarkets and unaffiliated customers. The Company's Class A Common Stock is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market's Global Select Market under the symbol IMKTA. For more information, visit Ingles' website at www.ingles-markets.com.
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About USC Upstate Athletics
The University of South Carolina Upstate, located in Spartanburg, S.C., is a member of a NCAA Division I Big South Conference. Sponsoring 17 intercollegiate sports, USC Upstate Athletics develops champions on the field, builds scholars in the classroom, and prepares leaders for life through their participation in intercollegiate athletics.
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