Charleston Battery Teams Up with SPARC for Multi-Year Partnership

Charleston, SC --January 30, 2013 --Charleston-based software company SPARC has signed on as a major sponsor of the Charleston Battery. The multi-year partnership includes the title sponsorship of the Charleston Battery's new custom-designed Nike team jerseys; in addition SPARC is building the Charleston Battery's new interactive web presence and will take an active role in helping the Battery expand its digital reach.

The Charleston Battery and SPARC will unveil the new 2013 season jersey at 1 PM on Friday, February 15 at the Carolina Challenge Cup media lunch at the Three Lions Club, Blackbaud Stadium. The new Charleston Battery website is slated to launch on the same date.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with a successful local organization like the Charleston Battery," said Eric Bowman, CEO of SPARC. "The Battery's impact on the Charleston community is widespread, and reflects so many of the wonderful things this city brings to the table. Connecting our two engaging company cultures together is a natural fit, and we're honored to be associated such a great organization."

The team will wear the jersey for the first time in their opening match of the Carolina Challenge Cup versus Major League Soccer's Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday, February 16 (7:15 PM, Blackbaud Stadium, Daniel Island).

The custom-designed home jersey is being provided by the Charleston Battery's new kit sponsor Nike. Nike has incorporated the Battery's traditional yellow and black vertical stripes into the new home uniform. The jersey's front will feature SPARCET, the company's peer-to-peer employee recognition software platform used by nearly 1000 companies to build engaging cultures.

**About SPARCET: ** SPARCET is a free recognition application that provides pure, unfiltered employee recognition across an organization. A Sparcet is a virtual "great job," "nice going," or "thank you," and a way of letting someone know you appreciate them. Sending a Sparcet takes less than a minute, and provides personal and public recognition for employees across an organization. More than 25,000 Sparcets have been sent by over 600 companies worldwide. Learn more and get started for free at sparcet.com.

**About SPARC: ** SPARC is a software development company creating engaging, forward-thinking technology while putting customers, employees, partners, and the community first. With offices in Charleston, South Carolina and Washington, D.C., SPARC provides software development services for the government and commercial sectors, and develops commercial software products for the executive leadership, human resources, green energy, analytics, and mobile markets. Come by for a tour and see SPARC's award-winning culture for yourself, or learn more at sparcedge.com.

About the Charleston Battery: Formed in 1993 the Charleston Battery is the oldest continuously operating professional soccer team in the United States. The Charleston Battery players are the current USL PRO Champions and have now won four USL Championships (1996, 2003, 2010 & 2012). The Charleston Battery moved to its current home, Blackbaud Stadium, in 1999, the first privately-financed soccer-specific stadium built in the United States. For more information please visit charlestonbattery.com.

Carolina Challenge Cup Media Lunch / 2013 Jersey Launch Three Lions Club, Blackbaud Stadium, Daniel Island Friday, February 15, 2013 -- 1 PM For media accreditation please contact Whitney Woods: whitney@charlestonbattery.com.