Message from Matt: Welcome Back
9/7/2026 5:00:00 PM | General
Spartan Family:
Welcome back! There is something special about seeing our campus come alive again as students return and our teams begin another year of competition. Whether you are a student, alumnus, season ticket holder, donor or longtime fan, we are excited to have you with us for what promises to be another memorable year for USC Upstate Athletics.
We enter this season with tremendous momentum. Our baseball and softball programs both captured Big South Championships and made history in NCAA postseason competition, while our student-athletes continued to raise the standard in the classroom. They achieved a department-record 3.36 cumulative GPA, while 211 Spartans earned a department-record Big South Presidential Honor Roll recognition. We were also recently selected to receive another NCAA grant that will expand the academic and career development resources available to our student-athletes. As we continue building for the future, we are excited to grow our department by adding women's flag football, further expanding opportunities for student-athletes to compete at the Division I level.
As we continue investing in the future of Spartan Athletics, I am also pleased to announce that we have extended our partnership with Nike and BSN SPORTS as the official uniform and apparel provider for USC Upstate Athletics. Nike and BSN Sports have been key partners over the past several years, and their commitment to excellence aligns perfectly with our department's vision moving forward. We are thrilled to continue outfitting our student-athletes and coaches with one of the premier brands in college athletics for years to come.
Our fall sports season is officially underway, and we'd love to see you on campus. Volleyball opens its home schedule this Friday, September 4, at 4:00 p.m. against Alabama State, and we hope you'll join us to help create an incredible home atmosphere for our student-athletes. If you plan to follow the Spartans all season long, volleyball season tickets are the best way to make sure you don't miss any of the action!
There are also several outstanding opportunities coming up to support USC Upstate Athletics. On Saturday, September 26, we will host the Carolina Cup College-Am Golf Tournament at Carolina Country Club, one of our premier events that brings together supporters, student-athletes, coaches, and community partners for a memorable day on the golf course. Whether you're registering a team or becoming a sponsor, we'd love to have you help provide championship-level experiences for our student-athletes.
Then, on Thursday, October 1, we'll gather once again for Morgan Square Madness, powered by Ingles, at Fifth Third Park. This has quickly become one of our favorite traditions as we introduce our men's and women's basketball teams, celebrate the start of basketball season, and bring Spartan fans together for a fun evening in downtown Spartanburg. We hope you'll make plans to join us, you can find more details at www.UpstateSpartans.com/madness.
Now, we need the Spartan Army alongside us. Come to a game, bring a friend, and help us create the kind of atmosphere our student-athletes deserve. Your presence matters, whether you are cheering from the stands, wearing green and black around town, or introducing someone new to USC Upstate Athletics.
There are also new and exciting opportunities to partner with the Spartans. If you, your business, or someone you know would like to become more involved, please reach out. We would love to start a conversation and find a meaningful way to connect you with our student-athletes and programs. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you at a game soon!
Go Spartans!
Matt Martin
Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics
