The University of South Carolina Board of Trustees held its first meeting of the 2025-26 academic year on Friday (Aug. 22), approving three contracts and advancing numerous facilities projects tied to the USC Next master plan.
New apparel deal, other contract approvals
The biggest contract approved Friday was a new athletics agreement with Nike to serve as the official apparel company for USC athletics. The 10-year deal will go into effect at the start of next fiscal year (July 1, 2026) and will allow Nike to supply all 21 of South Carolina’s athletic programs.
USC has partnered with Under Armour since 2007 with the first department-wide contract with Under Armour beginning for the 2011-12 academic year.
“We are thrilled to announce the future partnership with Nike, a brand that is built on inspiring athletes to reach for excellence with the latest and most innovative equipment and attire while championing the values of athletic participation, beginning in July 2026. We are excited to be joining with Nike as we look to continue to elevate our brand and compete for championships in the future,” USC Athletics Director Jeremiah Donati said.
“We are truly appreciative of the long partnership we have enjoyed with Under Armour since 2007. They have provided our student-athletes and fans with excellent service and apparel since the outset of our relationship and have been a part of many huge Gamecock moments.”
The board also approved an employment agreement for Wesley Mallette to become deputy athletics director and chief marketing officer. The final contract approved was between the University Registrar and Leepfrog Technologies Inc., a software company specializing in higher education.
Facilities, other approvals
The Board of Trustees also advanced numerous facilities projects, including Phase I approval for renovations and expansion of USC Aiken’s science building as well as bond resolutions.
The following projects received Phase II approval:
- Campus residential developments along Sumter Street.
- Renovations to Booker T. Washington.
- The acquisition of 4.27 acres to USC’s Health Sciences Campus.
The Sumter Street developments will add another wing to the Honors College residence hall and allow USC to build a new residence hall where McBryde currently sits in the center of campus. Those two projects alone would provide over 1,000 new beds on campus by fall 2028.
Other project approvals include:
- Recreation field improvements at Bluff Road fields and the fields behind the engineering building at 300 Main St.
- Utility infrastructure installation at the Longstreet annex.
- Actinides lab renovation in the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing.
The board also approved one gift naming, executive budget requests for the 2026-27 fiscal year and a voluntary separation program in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences.