USC Upstate is rolling out the welcome mat for students, alumni, fans and friends April 23-25 with a full array of fan experience elements to bring campus to life and cheer on the Upstate baseball and softball programs – both in first place in the Big South (as of April 15).

"It has been over a year since we truly encouraged and welcomed fans back to campus. We had a great event for Homecoming a couple weeks ago, and this particular weekend we really have a large array of activities for everyone.  We can't wait to have fans back on campus, in a safe environment," said senior associate athletic director for external operations, Lenny Mathis.

All events listed below carry free admission, thanks to our on-going partnership with Ingles Markets, the official supermarket of the Spartans.  USC Upstate's COVID-19 Task Force reminds all visitors to campus that masks are required and fans are asked to sit at a social distance. Grandstand seats are limited and certain seats are closed to keep fans at a safe distance.  Fans are allowed to bring tailgate chairs.  A full line of concession items are available, including beer from Budweiser of Spartanburg and RJ Rockers Brewing on Friday and Saturday only.
 
Dubbed "Spartan Super Spring Weekend" there will be a little something for everyone.  Here's a breakdown of the weekend slate and all the fun in store!
 
Weekend Schedule
Friday, April 23
6:00 pm – Baseball vs. Longwood (Harley Park)

Saturday, April 24
1:00 pm – Softball vs. Gardner-Webb (Game 1) (Cyrill Stadium)
2:00 pm – Baseball vs. Longwood (Game 1)
3:00 pm* - Softball vs. Gardner-Webb (Game 2, *time approximate)
5:30 pm* - Baseball vs. Longwood (Game 2, *time approximate)

Sunday, April 25
5:00 pm – Softball vs. Gardner-Webb (Nationally televised on ESPNU)

For USC Upstate students…
Saturday afternoon, "Slide into Finals" as USC Upstate Student Involvement will host an exclusive event with free food (funnel cakes and fried Oreos anyone?) and free Upstate baseball caps for the first 100 students to attend!  For more information contact Rudy Taylor at Taylo774@uscupstate.edu.

Sunday afternoon, Upstate SAAC will host a special Field Day with fun activities and ice cream for Spartan student-athletes as they enter finals week.  This coincides with the softball contest to be nationally televised on ESPNU. 
 
For the fans…
On Friday at Harley Park, take a spin to win on the Ingles Prize Wheel and participate in Baseball Bingo for prizes as well.  Auden Upstate will also be on-hand promoting their residential community located adjacent to campus.
 
On Saturday, our loyal U-Club donors will be treated to an outdoor adaptation of the "Ingles Champions Suite" normally operated for basketball games in the Hodge Center.  The Champions Suite will be marked off in the grass between Harley Park and Cyrill Stadium and will be an invitation only area.  For more information, contact Scott Netkovick at Netkovis@uscupstate.edu.
 
Also on Saturday at Cyrill Stadium, Papa John's is hosting a supply drive for the Spartanburg Humane Society.  With every donation, Papa John's will gift donors with coupon(s) for complimentary cheese sticks.  Among the items on the donation wish list are: paper towels, baby wipes, canned cat/kitten food and puppy food.  Weather permitting, the Spartanburg Humane Society will also have adoptable pets on-site as well – who knows, you could "adopt our opponent"…an actual Runnin' Bulldog that is.
 
For more information on Spartan Super Spring Weekend, contact Conner Leonard, director of marketing and promotions at Leonar24@uscupstate.edu.
 
 
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