Post by The Admin on Jul 3, 2024 10:40:52 GMT -6
GAC ANNOUNCES ADDITION OF ESPORTS - Great American Conference
greatamericanconference.com/news/2024/7/3/general-thegac-announces-addition-of-esports.aspx
The GAC includes NWOSU, SWOSU, SEOSU, East Central, Southern Nazarene, and Oklahoma Baptist.
greatamericanconference.com/news/2024/7/3/general-thegac-announces-addition-of-esports.aspx
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – On Wednesday, the Great American Conference announced it will be adding esports to the conference’s competitive offerings beginning this fall. Esports programs throughout the league will begin competing against one another this semester and the conference will be sponsoring championships across four game titles during the 2024-25 academic year.
The GAC’s esports effort will be managed in collaboration with the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC), one of the largest collegiate esports conferences in North America. The NECC will be responsible for the overall management, scheduling, and structure for the conference and was selected by the member institutions to ensure safe and fair competition.
“We are excited to have the NECC provide an avenue for students in the GAC to experience top-level competition in the growing field of esports,” GAC Commissioner Will Prewitt said.
This newly formed effort will see championships crowned across four titles, with two being offered each semester during the upcoming academic year. League of Legends and Super Smash Bros. Singles will be offered during the fall, with Overwatch 2 and Rocket League sponsored in the spring.
"We are thrilled to announce the addition of esports to the Great American Conference,” said Dr. Hayden Harrington, Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Director of Esports - Southwestern Oklahoma State University. “This agreement marks an exciting new chapter for our conference, and we are eager to allow our student-athletes to compete at the highest levels in this rapidly growing field. Partnering with the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) allows us to offer our teams access to premier competitions, resources, and support. We look forward to working closely with the NECC to build a dynamic and successful esports program that reflects the same level of excellence we strive for in all our athletic endeavors."
Each title will feature a seven-week regular season, with the top four teams in each qualifying for the postseason. Each of the four games will then have a Semifinal Round of competition, followed by a conference Championship Final.
League of Legends and Super Smash Bros. Singles will crown their champions in November, while Overwatch 2 and Rocket League will award their champions in March and April, respectively.
“We’re extremely excited to be working with the GAC to help bring esports to the conference,” said NECC CEO Jacob VanRyn.
“The GAC is the first NCAA Division II Conference we’ve partnered with to help support the league as they officially add esports to their competitive offerings. We’ve had the pleasure to work with a number of the conference’s member institutions previously and we’re extremely proud to help support the GAC in this endeavor.”
The GAC’s esports effort will officially begin play on Thursday, September 26th with the first night of League of Legends competition. Super Smash Bros. Singles will commence play the following day. Overwatch 2 and Rocket League will begin their seasons in January.
ABOUT THE NECC
The NECC fosters innovative competition experiences, provides quality broadcasting services, and works to support an inclusive community within collegiate esports. The NECC was started to provide the collegiate gaming community with the respect it warranted and deserved. The conference prides itself on responding to the needs of its schools, directors, coaches, and most importantly - its players.
With more than 500 colleges and universities currently competing, the NECC strives to be a positive home for the collegiate gaming community.
The GAC’s esports effort will be managed in collaboration with the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC), one of the largest collegiate esports conferences in North America. The NECC will be responsible for the overall management, scheduling, and structure for the conference and was selected by the member institutions to ensure safe and fair competition.
“We are excited to have the NECC provide an avenue for students in the GAC to experience top-level competition in the growing field of esports,” GAC Commissioner Will Prewitt said.
This newly formed effort will see championships crowned across four titles, with two being offered each semester during the upcoming academic year. League of Legends and Super Smash Bros. Singles will be offered during the fall, with Overwatch 2 and Rocket League sponsored in the spring.
"We are thrilled to announce the addition of esports to the Great American Conference,” said Dr. Hayden Harrington, Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Director of Esports - Southwestern Oklahoma State University. “This agreement marks an exciting new chapter for our conference, and we are eager to allow our student-athletes to compete at the highest levels in this rapidly growing field. Partnering with the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) allows us to offer our teams access to premier competitions, resources, and support. We look forward to working closely with the NECC to build a dynamic and successful esports program that reflects the same level of excellence we strive for in all our athletic endeavors."
Each title will feature a seven-week regular season, with the top four teams in each qualifying for the postseason. Each of the four games will then have a Semifinal Round of competition, followed by a conference Championship Final.
League of Legends and Super Smash Bros. Singles will crown their champions in November, while Overwatch 2 and Rocket League will award their champions in March and April, respectively.
“We’re extremely excited to be working with the GAC to help bring esports to the conference,” said NECC CEO Jacob VanRyn.
“The GAC is the first NCAA Division II Conference we’ve partnered with to help support the league as they officially add esports to their competitive offerings. We’ve had the pleasure to work with a number of the conference’s member institutions previously and we’re extremely proud to help support the GAC in this endeavor.”
The GAC’s esports effort will officially begin play on Thursday, September 26th with the first night of League of Legends competition. Super Smash Bros. Singles will commence play the following day. Overwatch 2 and Rocket League will begin their seasons in January.
ABOUT THE NECC
The NECC fosters innovative competition experiences, provides quality broadcasting services, and works to support an inclusive community within collegiate esports. The NECC was started to provide the collegiate gaming community with the respect it warranted and deserved. The conference prides itself on responding to the needs of its schools, directors, coaches, and most importantly - its players.
With more than 500 colleges and universities currently competing, the NECC strives to be a positive home for the collegiate gaming community.
The GAC includes NWOSU, SWOSU, SEOSU, East Central, Southern Nazarene, and Oklahoma Baptist.
