UNCW Athletics recently celebrated the launch of a game-changing multi-year partnership with Novant Health and EmergeOrtho, marking the largest transformational investment in UNCW Athletics history. Beginning a new era in a partnership that began in 1975, EmergeOrtho officially steps in as the Seahawks’ sports medicine provider for the 26-27 season, alongside Novant Health as the official healthcare provider.
The audience of students, faculty, and EmergeOrtho and Novant Health partners gathered at UNCW’s Trask Coliseum.
A Winning Partnership for Student-Athletes
Leadership and medical teams from EmergeOrtho and Novant Health also gathered on campus to join in as members of the Seahawk family. Representing EmergeOrtho was Executive Director Zachary Welch, alongside physicians Dr. Scott Dart, Dr. Matthew Braswell, and Dr. John O’Malley.
From left to right: Josh Tucker and Dr. Dominick DeFelice of Novant Health, UNCW Director of Athletics Michael Oblinger, and Dr. Scott Dart and Zachary Welch of EmergeOrtho.
EmergeOrtho sports medicine physician Dr. Scott Dart addressed the 2026-2027 Division 1 UNCW Student-Athletes, coaches, and leadership in the audience, sharing how excited and proud EmergeOrtho is to be a part of their healthcare team, keeping them in the game.
Dr. Scott Dart, Sports Medicine Team Physician for UNCW Athletics
Connecting with the Seahawks Community
Following the press conference, the team connected directly with the campus community. Student-athletes, coaches, and university faculty filled the arena stands to meet their new healthcare team face-to-face.
EmergeOrtho hosted a table stocked with custom gear for the student-athletes, including bright orange cooling towels and branded “Go Seahawks!” bag tags. Student-athletes showed out in full force to grab their swag, snap photos, and welcome their new sports medicine providers to the Seahawk family.
This agreement marks an exciting new era for UNCW Athletics, ensuring Seahawk student-athletes receive elite healthcare, performance support, and sports medicine expertise for years to come. Game on!
