CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson Athletics announced the addition of Novant Health as a proud partner of Clemson Ventures. This multi-year agreement, launching with the 2025-2026 college athletics season, symbolizes Novant Health’s long-term commitment to expanding high-quality, patient-centered healthcare in South Carolina.
“We are ecstatic to begin a relationship as valued partners with Clemson [Athletics],” said Jason Bernd, Novant Health senior vice president and president of the South Carolina region. “We share a commitment to excellence and a vision to transform health and wellness for communities throughout the Carolinas. The passion and scope of Clemson’s fanbase across the Southeast aligns perfectly with our aspirations to extend our remarkable patient outcomes across this rapidly growing region.”
The partnership will bring greater visibility to the new care options Novant Health is making available across the region. Novant Health will become the first on-uniform, primary brand partner of Clemson’s iconic, beloved mascots – The Tiger and Tiger Cub – through an association that will amplify their year-round presence in the community. Fans will notice the Novant Health logo on the digital media backdrop during regular football and basketball coaches press conferences, and a dedicated “Community Corner Kicks” feature during men’s and women’s soccer. Dynamic brand messaging via in-venue signage and promotions, digital/social media and NIL activations are also included in the agreement.
“We’re committed to giving Upstate residents more choices when it comes to their health,” said Ryan Lee, a Clemson alumnus and president of Novant Health’s Greenville area. “This partnership goes beyond goes beyond bringing our logo to Clemson’s athletics facilities. It’s about being part of the team that makes our communities stronger. Clemson fans will see that Novant Health is here to expand access to preventive, emergency and specialty care across South Carolina, and to invest in the well-being of the communities Clemson fans call home.”
Novant Health also is installing a Mamava lactation pod on the main concourse of Memorial Stadium. The Mamava pod offers a private, clean and comfortable space for moms who are breastfeeding or pumping, supporting families as they come to enjoy a day at the stadium. Clemson Athletics’ in-house business group, Ventures, developed the partnership, leveraging its private sector business structure and full-service marketing and NIL agency capabilities to create a custom solution for Novant Health.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Novant Health to the Clemson Tigers corporate partner family,” said Michael Drake, CEO, Clemson Ventures. “We are laser-focused on building best-in-class, strategic, and innovative relationships with preeminent brands nationally, and throughout the Southeast and the Carolinas, and Novant Health fits this profile. Matt Ryan and our Ventures team did a tremendous job in listening and putting together a comprehensive plan that will serve as a catalyst for Novant Health’s growth in the region and create exceptional outcomes together in this dynamic college athletics landscape.”
About Novant Health
Novant Health is an integrated network of more than 900 locations, including 19 hospitals, more than 750 physician clinics and urgent care centers, outpatient facilities, and imaging and pharmacy services. This network supports a seamless and personalized healthcare experience for communities in North Carolina and South Carolina. Novant Health is nationally recognized for our unwavering commitment to safety and the highest quality care, and we serve as a catalyst for healthcare transformation through clinical trials, leading-edge research, innovative care delivery models and robust virtual care networks. The expertise and empathy of our more than 41,000 team members along with more than 8,600independent and employed clinicians are at the heart of Our Cause as industry leaders caring for communities across the Carolinas. In 2023, Novant Health provided more than $1.6 billion in community benefit, including financial assistance and services.
For more information, visit NovantHealth.org. Follow Novant Health on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.
About Clemson Ventures
Clemson Ventures operates as an affiliated organization of Clemson University Athletics focused on maximizing revenue-generation strategies in the evolving college athletics landscape in order to help achieve competitive excellence. Clemson Athletics sponsors 21 NCAA Division I sports as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Tigers have won eight team national championships, including three in football and three in men’s soccer, and have claimed 123 team ACC Championships. Clemson is one of the top public institutions in the nation, and welcomes more than 1,000,000 fans to its venues each year.
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