SPARTANBURG, S.C. – University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics announced a change in leadership atop its men's soccer program Friday afternoon as Scott Halkett's contract was not renewed following eight seasons leading the Spartan program.
 
"We are extremely grateful for Coach Halkett's dedication and commitment to the USC Upstate men's soccer program. As an alumnus and Hall of Famer, Scott led our men's soccer program with the utmost integrity and class," said Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Matthew Martin "We wish him and his family nothing but the very best moving forward."
 
Halkett, a former Spartan player and 2005 USC Upstate Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, began his tenure leading the men's soccer program on July 20, 2017 as the program's fifth head coach, having previously served four seasons as an assistant coach. The 2020-21 Big South Coach of the Year—earned after leading the program to the Big South Championship Game for the first time—he finishes his USC Upstate career with a 35-77-15 record.
 
"It has been an honor and privileged to have had the opportunity to work as the head coach for the Upstate men's soccer program. I would like to thank all the players that I had the privilege to coach over the years for raising the bar. To all the coaches that were involved along the way, I would like to thank them for their dedication, commitment and all the time and energy they put into the program. Working with less resources than most schools they helped turn the program into one that is respected on and off the field," said Halkett.
 
A national search for the next leader of the Upstate men's soccer program will begin immediately.