Athletics

The Charlotte 49ers have three players competing in this week’s 95th annual East-West Shrine Bowl, which will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 18, in St. Petersburg, Florida. NFL Network will televise the event, which is the longest-running college all-star football game in the nation and gives top college players a chance to showcase their talents to NFL scouts and a national television audience.

Coming off of a historic 2019 bowl season, the Charlotte 49ers have released their 12-game 2020 football schedule, which includes six contests against 2019-20 bowl teams.

Before the Charlotte 49ers, there were the Owls of the Charlotte Center, and Carroll York was a member of that team.

Charlotte 49ers redshirt senior defensive end Alex Highsmith has been named third team all-America by the Associated Press (AP), becoming the first 49ers football player to be so honored. Highsmith also earned first team all-Conference USA honors for the second straight season.

Senior linebacker Jeff Gemmell reflects on his experiences at UNC Charlotte and the University’s first taste of postseason football.

The Charlotte 49ers, who rode a five-game win streak to bowl eligibility, have accepted an invitation to compete in the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl in the program’s first-ever bowl appearance.

The University’s Men’s Ice Hockey Club is crowdfunding to pay for travel to and from its competitions along the East Coast. Currently, team members use their own vehicles for travel. 

Saturday was Senior Day, and despite a near-constant rain, the Charlotte 49ers prevailed against Marshall University. The 24-13 victory made for the greatest day in Charlotte 49ers football history as the team reached bowl eligibility for the first time and achieved a school-record six wins.

On Veterans Day 2019, the University recognized military veterans for their service and officially opened Veterans Park, which honors UNC Charlotte community members past and present who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Charlotte 49ers defensive end Alex Highsmith has been nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy, which is awarded to the most outstanding football player who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field.Highsmith joined the 49ers as a walk-on in 2015 and was awarded a scholarship in summer 2017, following his red-shirt freshman season.