From left: Matthew Martin, vice chancellor and director of intercollegiate athletics for USC Upstate, Big South Commissioner Sherika Montgomery, and USC Upstate Chancellor Bennie L. Harris, Ph.D.
The University of South Carolina Upstate on Tuesday, Aug. 15, officially welcomed its new Vice Chancellor and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Matthew Martin, during a press event at the G.B. Hodge Center.
Martin, a seasoned leader in collegiate athletics, brings with him a wealth of experience and a visionary approach to bolstering the university’s sports programs while fostering academic excellence. As a former Division I athlete and successful administrator, Martin’s appointment reflects USC Upstate’s commitment to reaching greater heights in both athletic accomplishments and student development.
During the press event, Martin outlined his vision for the university’s athletics program, which includes enhancing recruitment efforts, investing in state-of-the-art training facilities, and strengthening community engagement. He emphasized the importance of cultivating an “unparalleled, transformational student-athlete experience.”
“I’m humbled and honored today to be here,” Martin said. “I want to thank (USC Upstate Chancellor Bennie L. Harris, Ph.D.) for entrusting me with this amazing opportunity… It was clear to me that this was a special opportunity because of the leadership of Dr. Harris, his vision for this place, and the trajectory that this institution is on.”
“Together, we will develop an elite student-athlete experience with programs that accel both academically and athletically,” he added. “We’ll strive to ensure that our student-athletes graduate as champions and are prepared to be leaders in our communities. We will build programs into a point of pride for our alumni, for Spartanburg, and the entire Upstate… There’s a lot of work ahead of us and I can’t wait to get started. Go Spartans!”
Sherika Montgomery, commissioner of the Big South Conference, expressed her excitement about Martin’s appointment, highlighting his leadership skills and commitment to student-athlete welfare.
“You will not find a more student-athlete-centric, student-athlete-focused administrator that will always (student-athlete needs) front and center in everything that he does,” Montgomery said. “And that is the reason why, as I shared with Dr. Harris, our athletic director room, it just got better with the hiring of Matthew Martin.”
Harris presented Martin as a visionary who will usher in a new era of athletic excellence, academic achievement, and community engagement that will leave an indelible mark on the university and the broader Upstate region.
“Matthew’s passion for excellence, both athletically and academically, makes him the ideal leader to guide our athletics programs into the future,” Harris said. “We pledge our support and wish him and his beautiful family the best of luck on this new adventure.”
Martin, who was chosen after a nationwide search, previously served as senior associate athletic director for external operations at the University of Idaho since 2020. He succeeds who served as athletic director since 2018.
For more information, visit https://news.uscupstate.edu/usc-upstate-announces-new-director-of-athletics-matthew-martin/.