UNCW ATHLETICS, NOVANT HEALTH AND EMERGEORTHO FORGE LANDMARK PARTNERSHIP TO ENHANCE STUDENT-ATHLETE HEALTH AND WELLNESS

WILMINGTON, N.C. - UNCW Athletics announced that Novant Health and EmergeOrtho are proud partners of the Seahawks, beginning in the 2026-27 academic year. This multi-year agreement shows UNCW's dedication to providing a top-tier student-athlete experience through the largest transformational investment in UNCW Athletics history. 

"Novant Health is proud to serve as the Official Healthcare Provider of UNCW Athletics. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to the health, well-being, and long-term success of Seahawk student-athletes, as well as the continued growth of southeastern North Carolina," said Josh Tucker, vice president of operations and surgical services for Novant Health Coastal Region. "Together with UNCW Athletics and EmergeOrtho, we are bringing our collective expertise to deliver comprehensive care that helps student-athletes perform at their peak, recover effectively and thrive both in competition and in the classroom."

The partnership strengthens deep ties that already exist in the Wilmington community. Novant Health will become the official healthcare provider for the Seahawks, while EmergeOrtho is the official sports medicine provider. This investment will include updated medical facilities on UNCW's campus with designated doctors and healthcare professionals to support student-athletes through sports medicine, nutrition, physical therapy, mental health services, and more. 

"For more than 50 years, EmergeOrtho has proudly served as the sports medicine partner for UNCW Athletics, providing specialized orthopedic care to generations of Seahawk student-athletes," said Zach Welch, the executive director of EmergeOrtho's Coastal Region. "As an independent, physician-owned medical practice, we are honored to continue that legacy through this expanded partnership with UNCW and Novant Health. By combining the unique strengths and expertise of each organization, we are helping enhance access to healthcare resources for the university community while ensuring student-athletes continue to receive the exceptional sports medicine care they deserve."

UNCW will feature Novant Health and EmergeOrtho on the men's and women's basketball jerseys, becoming the first jersey patch sponsor in UNCW Athletics history. Sammy C. Hawk will also have the logos on his jersey as well as on the baseball and softball teams' helmets. The agreement also includes integrated brand exposure through in-venue signage and promotions, digital and social media campaigns, and NIL activations. 

"This is a landmark day for UNCW Athletics and a defining moment for the future of our department," said UNCW Director of Athletics Michael Oblinger. "As college athletics continues to evolve, our commitment to the health, wellness, and success of our student-athletes must evolve with it. We set out to find partners who could help us deliver best-in-class, comprehensive medical care while supporting the long-term vision for our department. In Novant Health and EmergeOrtho, we found partners who shared that vision-and challenged us to think even bigger. Together, we've created a transformational relationship that extends well beyond traditional sports medicine, including meaningful NIL opportunities for our student-athletes, significant investments in our facilities, and the development of a dedicated sports medicine complex. This is more than a healthcare partnership - it's a long-term investment in the holistic development of our student-athletes and a bold step forward for the future of Seahawk Athletics." 

HIGHLIGHTS

Here are the highlights of this innovative partnership between UNCW Athletics, Novant Health and EmergeOrtho:

Facility Enhancements

Dedicated Professionals

Strategic Brand Activations

Landmark Venture