NEW YORK and COLUMBIA, S.C., April
14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Major League Soccer and the
University of South Carolina announced
today a historic multi-year partnership making South Carolina an Official Education Partner
of MLS. Through the strategic partnership, MLS players and Greats
(former players) will have access to online educational
opportunities and unique post-secondary academic resources offered
through the university system, as well as world-class personal and
professional development.
With a shared vision for creating experiences that are
accessible, inclusive, and authentic, MLS and the University of South Carolina have created pathways
for a variety of academic offerings and flexible higher education
solutions — such as the recently announced Carolina Online initiative — for MLS'
multicultural soccer community.
"In the ever-evolving academic landscape, Major League
Soccer is proud to partner with the University
of South Carolina to provide current and former players and
league and club staff members with immersive opportunities to
pursue high-quality education," said Gary
Stevenson, MLS Deputy Commissioner, President and Managing
Director of MLS Business Ventures. "The University of South Carolina is a leader in
modernizing higher education. We are thrilled to partner with them
to deliver benefits to MLS players and executives for many years to
come."
The partnership will empower MLS players — ranging from current
players to MLS Greats and eMLS players (the League's esports
competition) — to pursue higher-education through customized degree
programs that address the unique needs of professional athletes.
The collaboration will also provide a pathway for higher education
for future MLS stars, specifically programming and resources for
MLS Academy and MLS NEXT players. MLS club and League office
staff will have the ability to pursue higher education
opportunities through the partnership as well.
"At the University of South
Carolina, we are committed to increasing access to higher
education for all students — including students whose lives have
interrupted or otherwise prevented them from fulfilling their
educational goals in a traditional resident model," said the
University of South Carolina President
Bob Caslen. "In fulfillment of
this mission, we are proud to partner with Major League Soccer to
provide higher education to these exceptional athletes and
prospective students across the country through Carolina Online."
University of South Carolina
students will benefit from engaging with a variety of MLS
stakeholders through coursework integration, league-based
internships, and a dedicated speaker series for sport and
entertainment management students. MLS will also provide exclusive
learning opportunities and experiences to University of South Carolina students. The
agreement also includes several community-based initiatives aimed
at supporting marginalized communities and civic engagement, in
addition to leadership development training. An executive from MLS
and the University of South Carolina
will also jointly chair a committee to review proposals for
collaborative research as an additional benefit to South Carolina faculty, staff and students.
"Our partnership positions us to educate some of the world's
greatest athletes and the community that supports them across the
globe," said William Tate, the
executive vice president for academic affairs at the University of South Carolina. "The partnership
reflects our aim to democratize the opportunity to learn. At times,
geography or occupational commitments restrict access to education.
Our learning alliance eliminates barriers to entry, and instead
opens the door to earning a degree while competing at the highest
level of professional sports. We are honored to partner with MLS as
we fulfill the vision of making higher education accessible and
affordable through Carolina
Online."
Carolina Online, which launched
earlier this month, is the University of South
Carolina's system-wide comprehensive effort to deliver
rigorous bachelor and graduate degree programs online. With over 65
programs offered through Carolina
Online, and a single tuition rate for in-state and
out-of-state students, UofSC is ensuring that higher education is
accessible for all with this new initiative.
For more information regarding MLS' partnership with the
University of South Carolina, visit
MLSsoccer.com. For more information regarding UofSC's Carolina Online program, visit
carolinaonline.sc.edu.
ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER:
Headquartered in
New York City, Major League
Soccer features 27 clubs throughout the United States and Canada, in addition to future expansion teams
in St. Louis and Charlotte. For more information about MLS,
visit www.MLSsoccer.com.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH
CAROLINA:
The University of
South Carolina is a globally recognized, high-impact
research university committed to a superior student experience and
dedicated to innovation in learning, research and community
engagement. Founded in 1801, the university offers more than 350
degree programs and is the state's only top-tier Carnegie
Foundation research institution. More than 50,000 students are
enrolled at one of 20 locations throughout the state, including the
research campus in Columbia. With
56 nationally ranked academic programs including top-ranked
programs in international business, the nation's best honors
college and distinguished programs in engineering, law, medicine,
public health and the arts, the university is helping to build
healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and around the world.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
MLS
Angela Alfano
Sr. Director Corporate Communications
646-682-5313
Angela.Alfano@MLSsoccer.com
University of South
Carolina
Jeff
Stensland
Assistant Vice President of Media and External Engagement
803-777-3686
stenslan@mailbox.sc.edu
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SOURCE Major League Soccer