USC Upstate and Ingles Markets extend partnership through 2031
9/25/2026 8:37:00 AM | Baseball, Cross Country, Men's Basketball, Softball, Women's Basketball, General, Upstate Athletic Fund
Ingles, the official supermarket of USC Upstate, has been a partner of the University since 2020
Spartanburg, S.C. -- The USC Upstate athletics department and Ingles Markets have announced the extension of their partnership through 2031 as the Asheville, N.C. based grocer continues as the official supermarket of the Upstate Spartans. Ingles has been the official supermarket of USC Upstate athletics since 2020 and the extension of this agreement marks the largest corporate investment in USC Upstate history.
"Ingles is not just a corporate partner to our athletic department, they are an extension of our entire University community," said Matt Martin, vice chancellor and director of athletics. "What they do for our student body, our student athletes and our community exhibits that they value the people that make up our campus community and everyone around us. We're honored to be a vessel to help improve the lives of others in our area in addition to marketing the best quality and products at the best prices in the industry across their stores."
"Ingles is honored to be a part of the Spartan family. For many years we have witnessed the commitment to student development through athletics, how USC Upstate builds a strong academic foundation through superior curriculum and the University's strong community bonds", says Melissa Leavell, Ingles Advertising Director. "All of these values are shared by Ingles Markets and we look forward to continuing to grow our strong partnership".
Caring for the Campus
Since the beginning of the partnership six years ago, Ingles became a driving force in providing food for what is now the Spartan Food Pantry. With Ingles providing donations on a monthly basis, the pantry provides nutritional information and other basic necessities to USC Upstate students in need. In the last two years alone, nearly 400 students have benefited from the Food Pantry's services with over 3,600 pounds of food distributed across nearly 1,000 visits to the Pantry.  "Without Ingles generosity, we would not be able to provide this service at the level that is needed for our campus community. More importantly, we would not be able to provide the healthy options that is part of our mission in helping the students who needs us," noted Heather Hollis, director of CARE Management and Strategic Initiatives in the Dean of Students Office at USC Upstate.
As the campus has grown, so has the student-athlete population since 2020 with the athletic department adding flag football, competitive cheer, competitive dance and men's and women's developmental soccer to the roster of intercollegiate programs. With well over 150 more student-athletes using the services of the Ingles Fuel Bar inside the Sports Performance Center since 2020, the Ingles partnership quite literally fuels Spartan student-athletes.
"Prior to 2020, there was no true mechanism to provide nutrition to our student-athletes after a workout. Maybe a few protein bars, but not the variety one would want to provide, Ingles changed that," said Lenny Mathis, senior associate athletic director for external operations. "Our sports performance staff provides healthy shakes, fruit and snacks now for nearly 400 student-athletes who are competing for championships every day. The Fuel Bar was a key component at the beginning of our relationship to help make our department better and that not only continues today, but Ingles has also doubled down on their investment in our student-athletes for the future."
For their efforts to improve the lives of USC Upstate students, Ingles was awarded the Founders' Day Award by Chancellor Dr. Bennie Harris in 2023.
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Caring for the Community
Since 2020, several area non-profit organizations have benefited from the on-court and on-field success of USC Upstate student-athletes via the generosity of Ingles. For every three-point shot made, $3 is donated to a local non-profit and $1 is donated for every strikeout by USC Upstate's baseball and softball programs as well to local non-profit organization. Over the years, those beneficiaries have included the survivorship program as the Gibbs Cancer and Research Institute, the youth basketball program with the City of Spartanburg, Hope Remains Ranch and the Carolina Miracle League. Most recently, the program benefits, the Backpack Buddies outreach of St. John's Lutheran Church in Spartanburg, Kids Upstate (formerly Boys and Girls Clubs of Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties) and Rebuilding Together Spartanburg. The check presentation for Ingles' donations to these organizations for the 2025-26 season will take place during Morgan Square Madness powered by Ingles on October 1st at Fifth Third Park.
Beginning in 2023, with the outset of the Ingles I-26 Rivalry Series pitting USC Upstate against UNC Asheville, hundreds of pounds of non-perishable food items have been donated to Miracle Hill Ministries in Spartanburg (and Eblen Charities in Asheville) thanks to the Rivalry Series Food Drive. Details on this year's food drive will be announced prior to the start of basketball season.
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Brand Awareness
USC Upstate fans see Ingles fingerprints all over Spartan athletics through signage, theme promotions like the donation programs, food drives and the I-26 Rivalry Series, but they also play a key role in mutually advancing their corporate and the University's brand across the region as well. One of the most noteworthy outreach programs is the television partnership through NEXSTAR seen locally on WSPA-TV and WYCW-TV. Annually, Ingles creates an over-the-air broadcast package for USC Upstate basketball, baseball, softball and other programs to simulcast internally produced ESPN+ broadcasts over the airwaves of their NEXSTAR affiliates.
In addition, Ingles serves as the title sponsor of the annual Education Day women's basketball game, as hundreds of area school children visit the USC Upstate campus and enjoy a collegiate basketball contest for free. Ingles continues providing complimentary admission to all Spartan men's and women's soccer and flag football contests as well as free admission for children ages 12 and under to Upstate baseball and softball.
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About Ingles
Ingles Markets, Incorporated is a leading supermarket chain with operations in six Southeastern states. 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 20 intercollegiate sports plus development men's and women's soccer, USC Upstate Athletics provides a transformative and holistic student-athlete experience, fostering a relentless pursuit of excellence in academics, athletics and community engagement. We are dedicated to developing, empowering and preparing the next generation of leaders.
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"Ingles is not just a corporate partner to our athletic department, they are an extension of our entire University community," said Matt Martin, vice chancellor and director of athletics. "What they do for our student body, our student athletes and our community exhibits that they value the people that make up our campus community and everyone around us. We're honored to be a vessel to help improve the lives of others in our area in addition to marketing the best quality and products at the best prices in the industry across their stores."
"Ingles is honored to be a part of the Spartan family. For many years we have witnessed the commitment to student development through athletics, how USC Upstate builds a strong academic foundation through superior curriculum and the University's strong community bonds", says Melissa Leavell, Ingles Advertising Director. "All of these values are shared by Ingles Markets and we look forward to continuing to grow our strong partnership".
Caring for the Campus
Since the beginning of the partnership six years ago, Ingles became a driving force in providing food for what is now the Spartan Food Pantry. With Ingles providing donations on a monthly basis, the pantry provides nutritional information and other basic necessities to USC Upstate students in need. In the last two years alone, nearly 400 students have benefited from the Food Pantry's services with over 3,600 pounds of food distributed across nearly 1,000 visits to the Pantry.  "Without Ingles generosity, we would not be able to provide this service at the level that is needed for our campus community. More importantly, we would not be able to provide the healthy options that is part of our mission in helping the students who needs us," noted Heather Hollis, director of CARE Management and Strategic Initiatives in the Dean of Students Office at USC Upstate.
As the campus has grown, so has the student-athlete population since 2020 with the athletic department adding flag football, competitive cheer, competitive dance and men's and women's developmental soccer to the roster of intercollegiate programs. With well over 150 more student-athletes using the services of the Ingles Fuel Bar inside the Sports Performance Center since 2020, the Ingles partnership quite literally fuels Spartan student-athletes.
"Prior to 2020, there was no true mechanism to provide nutrition to our student-athletes after a workout. Maybe a few protein bars, but not the variety one would want to provide, Ingles changed that," said Lenny Mathis, senior associate athletic director for external operations. "Our sports performance staff provides healthy shakes, fruit and snacks now for nearly 400 student-athletes who are competing for championships every day. The Fuel Bar was a key component at the beginning of our relationship to help make our department better and that not only continues today, but Ingles has also doubled down on their investment in our student-athletes for the future."
For their efforts to improve the lives of USC Upstate students, Ingles was awarded the Founders' Day Award by Chancellor Dr. Bennie Harris in 2023.
Â
Caring for the Community
Since 2020, several area non-profit organizations have benefited from the on-court and on-field success of USC Upstate student-athletes via the generosity of Ingles. For every three-point shot made, $3 is donated to a local non-profit and $1 is donated for every strikeout by USC Upstate's baseball and softball programs as well to local non-profit organization. Over the years, those beneficiaries have included the survivorship program as the Gibbs Cancer and Research Institute, the youth basketball program with the City of Spartanburg, Hope Remains Ranch and the Carolina Miracle League. Most recently, the program benefits, the Backpack Buddies outreach of St. John's Lutheran Church in Spartanburg, Kids Upstate (formerly Boys and Girls Clubs of Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties) and Rebuilding Together Spartanburg. The check presentation for Ingles' donations to these organizations for the 2025-26 season will take place during Morgan Square Madness powered by Ingles on October 1st at Fifth Third Park.
Beginning in 2023, with the outset of the Ingles I-26 Rivalry Series pitting USC Upstate against UNC Asheville, hundreds of pounds of non-perishable food items have been donated to Miracle Hill Ministries in Spartanburg (and Eblen Charities in Asheville) thanks to the Rivalry Series Food Drive. Details on this year's food drive will be announced prior to the start of basketball season.
Â
Brand Awareness
USC Upstate fans see Ingles fingerprints all over Spartan athletics through signage, theme promotions like the donation programs, food drives and the I-26 Rivalry Series, but they also play a key role in mutually advancing their corporate and the University's brand across the region as well. One of the most noteworthy outreach programs is the television partnership through NEXSTAR seen locally on WSPA-TV and WYCW-TV. Annually, Ingles creates an over-the-air broadcast package for USC Upstate basketball, baseball, softball and other programs to simulcast internally produced ESPN+ broadcasts over the airwaves of their NEXSTAR affiliates.
In addition, Ingles serves as the title sponsor of the annual Education Day women's basketball game, as hundreds of area school children visit the USC Upstate campus and enjoy a collegiate basketball contest for free. Ingles continues providing complimentary admission to all Spartan men's and women's soccer and flag football contests as well as free admission for children ages 12 and under to Upstate baseball and softball.
Â
About Ingles
Ingles Markets, Incorporated is a leading supermarket chain with operations in six Southeastern states. 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 20 intercollegiate sports plus development men's and women's soccer, USC Upstate Athletics provides a transformative and holistic student-athlete experience, fostering a relentless pursuit of excellence in academics, athletics and community engagement. We are dedicated to developing, empowering and preparing the next generation of leaders.
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