Sherman College and USC Upstate Strengthen Partnership to Support Student-Athlete

Collaboration provides chiropractic care for USC Upstate athletes, while giving Sherman student interns invaluable real-world experience.

by Cheri Anderson-Hucks

Spartanburg, SC (11/04/2025) — Sherman College of Chiropractic and the University of South Carolina Upstate (USC Upstate) have formalized a new partnership that enhances student learning while promoting health and wellness for Spartan athletics.

Through this collaboration, Sherman College Chiropractic Center interns, under the supervision of Dr. Michael L. Tomasello, associate professor of clinical sciences and Sherman's Case Doctor for Sports Outreach, will visit USC Upstate regularly to provide chiropractic care to Spartan student-athletes. Regular chiropractic care helps athletes perform at their best by improving function, increasing mobility, and supporting recovery from injuries.

The agreement was officially signed by Sherman College President Dr. Jack Bourla and USC Upstate Chancellor Dr. Bennie L. Harris, marking a milestone in collaboration between the two Spartanburg-based institutions.

"This partnership is a win-win," said Dr. Jack Bourla, president of Sherman College. "Our interns gain valuable, hands-on experience working in a dynamic collegiate athletic environment, while USC Upstate's student-athletes receive the benefits of regular chiropractic care to support their performance, recovery, and overall well-being."

USC Upstate Chancellor Dr. Bennie L. Harris said the agreement aligns perfectly with the university's mission to promote student success on and off the field. "At USC Upstate, we are committed to helping our students reach their highest potential-academically, personally, and athletically," Dr. Harris said. "Partnering with Sherman College adds another important layer of support for our student-athletes' health and performance, while also enriching the learning experience for Sherman interns. It's a true community partnership in action."

USC Upstate Director of Athletics and Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Matthew D. Martinpraised the collaboration for strengthening athlete care and performance. "Our athletes put tremendous effort into representing USC Upstate at the highest level," Martin said. "Having Sherman College's chiropractic interns as part of our wellness team helps ensure they can train and compete safely, recover faster, and maintain peak performance."

Dr. Tomasello, who oversees Sherman's sports outreach programs, emphasized the educational impact for Sherman students. "This experience bridges the classroom and the Chiropractic Center," he said. "Our interns learn how to apply chiropractic principles in a real-world sports setting, working directly with athletes and coaches, under the watchful eye of licensed Sherman faculty. The lessons they take from these experiences are invaluable as they prepare to become doctors of chiropractic managing their own practices."

The Sherman-USC Upstate partnership reflects both institutions' dedication to education, health, and community collaboration-benefiting students and the greater Spartanburg region. Through this initiative, both institutions are investing in students' growth-preparing future chiropractors for meaningful careers while helping local athletes reach their full potential.

About Sherman College of Chiropractic.

Sherman College of Chiropractic provides students with a comprehensive chiropractic education, preparing them to enter the field as Doctors of Chiropractic who are highly skilled, compassionate, ethical, and successful. On an 80-acre campus in South Carolina, Sherman offers a professional degree program unique in its approach and known globally for the skill and art of chiropractic delivered by graduates. The college's Chiropractic Center provides high-quality, affordable chiropractic care for families at every stage of life, from pediatric to geriatric. The center is a teaching clinic for chiropractic interns in their final stage of study before graduating from the college's doctor of chiropractic program. Coordinated by licensed doctors of chiropractic, the teaching environment enables interns to practice chiropractic under close supervision and ongoing consultation. For more information, visit www.sherman.edu or call 800-849-8771.

About USC Upstate.

The University of South Carolina Upstate is a comprehensive regional public university in Spartanburg, serving 5,000 students through more than 50 undergraduate and graduate programs. USC Upstate is ranked No. 1 among Best Colleges for Veterans and No. 2 among Top Public Schools among Regional Colleges in the South. Recognized for student success and workforce readiness, the University plays a key role in South Carolina's talent pipeline. With nearly 33,000 alumni-most living and working in the state-USC Upstate drives regional prosperity through education, innovation and service. The Spartans compete in 15 NCAA Division I sports as a member of the Big South Conference. Learn more at uscupstate.edu.

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