SPARTANBURG – The USC Upstate men's soccer team will welcome back generations of Spartans for a special alumni celebration surrounding the program's home match on Friday, October 3.

The event, the first under new head coach Michael Antoniewicz, is designed not only as a reunion but also as a bridge between the program's proud history and its future.

"Alumni Day is our chance as a program to give back to our former athletes," Antoniewicz said. "Without them, USC Upstate soccer wouldn't be where it is today as a recognized Division I program. Every former player helped build this foundation, and we want to celebrate and honor that."

The alumni festivities will begin with a team meal at 4:00 p.m., where current Spartans will meet with returning players, hear their stories, and learn from their experiences on and off the field. At 5:30 p.m., the program will host a pregame tailgate at the field, featuring food and drinks in a relaxed, social setting.

During the game's festivities, alumni will be recognized on the field, honoring the program's accomplishments through the years.

Following the match, the celebration will continue with a post-game social at The Freight House in downtown Spartanburg. Those staying through the weekend will also have the opportunity to join a Saturday brunch at Delaney's at 11:00 a.m.

For Antoniewicz, who arrived at USC Upstate after leading Coker University to championships and NCAA Tournament runs, the event is about more than nostalgia. It's about shared ownership.

"This isn't my program—it's our program," he said. "I want alumni to have a voice. I want them to feel proud of where Spartan soccer is going and know we're building on the foundation they created. Our current players can learn so much from hearing their stories of success, both here and in their careers after graduation."

Antoniewicz, a native of Kirkcaldy, Scotland, was named the sixth head coach in program history earlier this year, following a historic season at Coker, where he guided the Cobras to a 15-3-1 record, a South Atlantic Conference regular-season title, and an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance.

"USC Upstate has a rich history of men's soccer," he said. "My family and I are excited to be part of this next chapter. Alumni Day is just the beginning of bringing everyone together again."