Spartan Army,

First and foremost, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, and were able to gather with family and friends to celebrate all that we are thankful for. In that spirit, we thank each of you who support Spartan Athletics. Whether you’ve cheered from the stands, contributed to our programs, or engaged with us in the community, your role has been vital to our growth – and we are grateful for your support.

It’s been a whirlwind of excitement on campus over the past few weeks. Spartan Nation is thriving, from incredible fall sports finishes to the start of our winter sports season, and there's more to come. The momentum we’ve built sets the stage for even more success as we look toward 2025.

Champions! History was made as Upstate Women’s Soccer claimed their first Big South Tournament title and secured its first-ever NCAA Tournament berth. I couldn’t be prouder of what Coach Saber and his team have built this year. Their accomplishments speak volumes, including:

• Big South Regular Season Championship
• A program-record eight All-Conference honorees
• Big South Offensive Player of the Year, Midfielder of the Year, and Coaching Staff of the Year award!

Kudos to everyone involved in making this a season to remember!

Our winning ways extended to the greens, where our men’s golf team closed their fall season in spectacular fashion by winning the Fripp Island Preview. Alec Prentice tied for first place, finishing seven under par and had four Spartans finishing in the top-15 overall. What an incredible way to end their fall season.

Our volleyball team continued the upward trend, securing a third-place finish in the Big South—their best finish in program history. The energy and support for these teams have been great, and it’s exciting to see the upward trajectory across all our sports.

A reminder to get your basketball tickets! Coach Richter’s squad is off to a fast-paced start, averaging nearly 85 points per game and ranking in the top-100 in the nation for scoring. It’s a high-flying style – highlighted by Mister Dean’s dunk that made #1 on SportsCenter’s top plays of the night (see below!). They’ll host three home games in December before kicking off Big South play in January. Stay tuned to our social media channels for a chance to win courtside seats—don’t miss your shot at the best seats in the Hodge!

Women’s hoops will be road warriors this December, with two trips to the Midwest to take on high-major opponents in Kansas State and #15 Iowa State, along with Drake. Their next home game will be Thursday, December 19th, in an 11am tipoff for Education Day vs Lees-McRae.

We announced a change in leadership for our men’s soccer program last month. After eight seasons as head coach, Scott Halkett’s contract was not renewed. Scott has been an integral part of the Spartan family, as a coach, alumnus, and Hall of Famer. I’m incredibly grateful that Coach Halkett has agreed to transition to a special advisor role within the athletic department not only to help ensure a seamless transition of the men’s soccer program but also to take on some special projects to help elevate our alumni engagement efforts and position our programs for future success.

As we enter the holiday season, please consider supporting our Upstate Athletic Fund as part of your end-of-year giving. Every contribution directly impacts the experience of our student-athletes, ensuring they continue to excel on and off the field.

Thank you for being part of our journey. Let’s keep building something special together.

-Matt