News Summary
From January 15 to February 12, 2025, Spartanburg will come alive with the 2nd Annual Ingles I-26 Rivalry Series Food Drive, where the USC Upstate Spartans and UNC Asheville Bulldogs unite to benefit the local community. Fans can donate canned food items during basketball games and at Ingles stores. The competition adds a fun twist, with teams vying for bonus points based on food donations. The event highlights not just college sports, but the spirit of giving and community support.
Spartanburg Gears Up for the 2nd Annual Ingles I-26 Rivalry Series Food Drive!
Get ready, Spartanburg! From January 15 through February 12, 2025, the enthusiasm for college basketball will not only fill the air, but also feed the local community. The USC Upstate Spartans have teamed up with their rivals, the UNC Asheville Bulldogs, for the 2nd Annual Ingles I-26 Rivalry Series Food Drive. This is not just a battle on the court, but an opportunity to show community spirit by donating canned and non-perishable food items!
The Exciting Basketball Showdown
The thrilling competition kicks off with a series of basketball games that fans won’t want to miss. The Lady Spartans will hit the court at the G.B. Hodge Center in Spartanburg at 6:00 PM, while the men’s teams will clash at Kimmel Arena in Asheville starting at 6:30 PM. With the UNC Asheville Bulldogs boasting an impressive record of 11-6, currently holding a 2-1 position in the Big South, and the South Carolina Upstate Spartans looking to improve their 5-13 record with a 1-2 standing in the same conference, every point—and every can of food—will count!
Join the Food Drive Fun
The Spartans are in for a friendly competition with the Bulldogs. If USC Upstate collects more food items than UNC Asheville by February 12, they’ll earn a delightful three bonus points. So, every single can makes a difference! And hey, donating could score you something special—donors will have a chance to win two free tickets to a future USC Upstate basketball game!
Incentives for Upstate Students
Students at USC Upstate have yet another reason to pitch in! Additional incentives await for those who contribute at the Hodge Center. Whether you’re a lifelong Spartans supporter or just looking to help out your neighbors, now’s the perfect time to show your team spirit and your community spirit!
Building Camaraderie and Community Support
With the energy rising and the community coming together, this year’s food drive promises to be an exciting event, blending the love for basketball with the joy of giving. Here’s to a fantastic rivalry series and successful food drive ahead!
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Additional Resources
- Fox Carolina: Food Drive Coincides with USC Upstate Basketball Games Against UNC Asheville
- Wikipedia: College Basketball
- Tryon Daily Bulletin: How to Watch UNC Asheville vs South Carolina Upstate
- Google Search: USC Upstate Basketball
- UNC Bulldogs: Asheville Welcomes USC Upstate
- Google Scholar: USC Upstate vs UNC Asheville
- MSN: Gordan and the South Carolina Upstate Spartans Host UNC Asheville
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Basketball
- Washington Post: South Carolina Upstate vs UNC Asheville Preview
- Google News: USC Upstate

Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER
ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.