ATRIUM HEALTH WAKE FOREST BAPTIST LOGO WILL BE FEATURED ON THE SLEEVE OF THE CLUB’S MATCH JERSEYS; PARTNERSHIP INCLUDES SPONSORSHIP OF CCFC ACADEMY
CAROLINA CORE, N.C. (April 4, 2024) - Carolina Core FC, an independent club in MLS NEXT Pro, has partnered with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, a leading national health system, as Carolina Core FC’s exclusive health care provider.
"We're thrilled to welcome Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist to our CCFC Family as our Official Health Care Partner of Carolina Core FC and CCFC Academy — we have found an important partner that truly cares about making a difference in the NC CORE and we can't wait to launch our activations in stadium and feature them on the jersey sleeve of our customized match kits," states Chris Baretta, Chief Revenue Officer.
The multi-year agreement designates Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist as an official signature sponsor and health care partner of Carolina Core FC. Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist will provide the official team physician, Dr. Jerrod Felder, clinical assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and orthopaedic surgeon at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, and employ certified athletic trainers who support Carolina Core FC’s MLS NEXT Pro and CCFC Academy’s MLS NEXT teams.
In addition to featuring the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist name and logo on the sleeve of the Carolina Core FC’s and CCFC Academy’s match jerseys, the health system will have match day activations and will be featured on the scoreboard and signage within Truist Point Stadium on matchdays.
“We are thrilled to support Carolina Core and their athletes and further our commitment to improving the health of those in our High Point community and across our entire region,” said Dr. Jim Hoekstra, president of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist High Point Medical Center and senior vice president and associate dean of clinical and academic network development at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist – which is part of Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit health system in the U.S. – is anchored in Winston-Salem by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, which includes Atrium Health Levine Children’s Brenner Children’s Hospital. The health system includes Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist High Point Medical Center, along with four other community hospitals, more than 300 primary and specialty care locations and more than 2,700 physicians across the region. Additionally, Wake Forest University School of Medicine is the academic core of Advocate Health and a recognized leader in experiential medical education and groundbreaking research.
“We are proud to partner with Carolina Core, both on the professional and Academy teams and our orthopaedic surgeons and sports medicine specialists are looking forward to helping keep these young athletes safe and healthy as they continue to progress in the sport of soccer,” said Dr. Cynthia Emory, leader of the musculoskeletal service line for Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and chair of orthopaedic surgery and rehabilitation at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist will also come on as a multi-year partner with Carolina Core FC’s MLS NEXT program, CCFC Academy. The Academy will be fully scholarship funded, removing all barriers to playing at the highest elite level for eligible players.
ABOUT Carolina Core FC
Founded in 2022, Carolina Core FC is an independent professional men’s soccer club that will begin play in MLS NEXT Pro in 2024. The club’s local owners are dedicated to community development through its on-field and off-field activities. Carolina Core FC has diligently worked behind the scenes to build together its experienced executive staff, including High Point Native, Eddie Pope as the Chief Sporting Officer. Eddie is a former U.S. Men’s National Team, MLS legend and USSF Hall of Famer. #CCFC will play its home matches in High Point, N.C. at Truist Point, the $38 million stadium located in the revitalized downtown social district. Supporters can join the club by securing a season seat and ordering Carolina Core FC merchandise at www.carolinacorefc.com.
About Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist (www.wakehealth.edu) is a pre-eminent academic health system based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and part of Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, which was created through the combination of Atrium Health and Advocate Aurora Health. Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist’s two main components are an integrated clinical system – anchored by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, an 885-bed tertiary-care hospital in Winston-Salem – that includes Atrium Health Levine Children’s Brenner Children’s Hospital, five community hospitals, more than 300 primary and specialty care locations and more than 2,700 physicians; and Wake Forest University School of Medicine, the academic core of Advocate Health and a recognized leader in experiential medical education and groundbreaking research that includes Wake Forest Innovations, a commercialization enterprise focused on advancing health care through new medical technologies and biomedical discovery. Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist employs more than 22,000 teammates, part of Advocate Health’s 150,000 teammates. Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist provided a record-setting $767.5 million in community benefit in 2022, which includes unreimbursed care, financial assistance, education and research, and community health improvement. Follow us on Facebook, Instagramand X.
ABOUT MLS NEXT Pro
Launched in 2022 by Major League Soccer, MLS NEXT Pro is a professional men’s soccer league in the United States and Canada that completes the pro player pathway from MLS NEXT to MLS first teams. MLS NEXT Pro continues to grow the game through innovation and diversity, bringing professional soccer to new communities and creating opportunities both on and off the field. MLS NEXT Pro will celebrate its third season in 2024 with 29 teams, 27 MLS-affiliated and two independent, Carolina Core FC and Chattanooga FC. Additional MLS-affiliated and independent clubs will join in the years ahead, including Cleveland and Jacksonville Armada FC. The majority of MLS NEXT Pro’s matches are broadcast on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV as part of the groundbreaking partnership between Apple and MLS. For more information about MLS NEXT Pro, visit mlsnextpro.com.
