Bulldog Athletics Set for Canned Food Drive as Part of Ingles I-26 Rivalry

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville Athletic Department is preparing for the winter portion of the Ingles I-26 Rivalry with USC Upstate, which features multiple opportunities for the Bulldogs to add points to the season-long competition.

During the winter season, UNC Asheville and USC Upstate will compete for a total of 15 points. The men's and women's basketball teams will combine to earn up to six points, while the men's and women's track and field teams will compete for an additional six points by finishing ahead of the Spartans at the Big South Indoor Championships.

An additional three points will be awarded through the annual canned food drive competition between the two athletic departments. The school that collects the most canned goods during the designated basketball game window will earn the points. UNC Asheville won the food drive in 2024, while USC Upstate claimed the honor in 2025. Notably, the winner of the food drive has gone on to win the overall Ingles I-26 Rivalry each of the past two years.

Canned Food Drive Details

The 2026 canned food drive will run from January 21 through February 14, with six total opportunities for fans to contribute during home basketball games.

Women's Basketball Games:

January 21
January 31
February 11

Men's Basketball Games:

January 29
February 4
February 14

Fan Incentives

Women's Basketball Promotion
Fans who bring a minimum of three canned goods to any of the listed women's basketball games will receive free admission to that contest.

Men's Basketball Promotion
Each canned good donated at a men's basketball game counts as one entry into a drawing to win a TV. The winner will be announced at the men's basketball game on February 21. There is no limit—every canned good equals another entry.

Bulldogs Lead After Fall Season

UNC Asheville currently leads the Ingles I-26 Rivalry 12–6 following the completion of fall sports.

Fall Results:

Sept. 20 – Men's Soccer: USC Upstate 4, Asheville 0 (Upstate leads, 3–0)
Sept. 26 – Volleyball (at Asheville): Asheville 3, Upstate 2 (Series tied, 3–3)
Oct. 29 – Women's Soccer: USC Upstate 3, Asheville 0 (Upstate leads, 6–3)
Oct. 31 – Women's Cross Country Championships: Asheville 2nd, Upstate 7th (Series tied, 6–6)
Oct. 31 – Men's Cross Country Championships: Asheville 3rd, Upstate 5th (Asheville leads, 9–6)
Nov. 14 – Volleyball (at Upstate): Asheville 3, Upstate 0 (Asheville leads, 12–6)

The canned food drive officially begins Wednesday, January 21, when UNC Asheville women's basketball hosts USC Upstate at 6:30 p.m. inside Kimmel Arena.