America East to Host Inaugural Esports Invitational
ALBANY, N.Y. – Continuing its commitment to innovation, emerging technologies and student engagement, the America East Conference announced today it will host the first-ever America East Esports Invitational in April. Details for the occasion were unveiled today at a press conference at the University at Albany, which will host the event.
The conference’s inaugural Esports Invitational, a venture of the America East Academic Consortium, will take place on Saturday, April 18 at 1 p.m. at UAlbany’s new 400-seat auditorium in its Campus Center.
The invitational, which will be streamed live on Twitch.TV, will pit five-player teams consisting of students from each of the nine America East member institutions competing against each other in a single-elimination SuperSmash Bros. Ultimate tournament. Teams will compete for a championship trophy as well as other prizes. Tickets for the event are available at www.bit.ly/AEesports.
“Esports is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world and becoming an integral part of campus life,” said America East Commissioner, Amy Huchthausen. “Hosting a conference-wide esports event captures the forward-thinking mindset that is the essence of the America East Conference and our members who constantly seek ways to enhance their student engagement efforts and reach a global audience. We look forward to hosting this first-class event alongside our colleagues at UAlbany, which has emerged as a leader in this space.”
UAlbany unveiled a state-of-the-art esports gaming arena on campus last semester. The space is equipped with a dozen high-performance Alienware Computers, each lit in Great Danes purple and gold, along with six Nintendo Switch consoles.
Last fall, 175 students applied to join UAlbany’s esports team in the course of just two weeks; 75 players were recruited from the pool. This semester, the team has grown to 100 co-ed students, from an applicant pool of more than 340.
“UAlbany is proud to be a pioneer in collegiate esports and host the America East Conference’s first competitive video-gaming invitational next month,” said UAlbany President Havidán Rodríguez. “The esports industry is opening up new doors to career paths in gaming-related disciplines such as augmented reality and game design and development. This is truly a new and exciting opportunity, and we are ready to play an important role in its growth, alongside the America East and other conference teams.”
In addition to showcasing the competitive aspects of esports, the event will include a panel discussion featuring esports experts and strategists sharing their knowledge of developing a collegiate program, leagues and emerging trends in the industry.
“We are thrilled for the chance to expand Consortium programming to include an esports event to highlight the competitive excellence of America East students,” said Marsha Florio, executive director of the AEAC. “At the same time, the event will provide innovative strategies and solutions to assist our members as they continue to grow esports programs on their campuses.”
Further details, including broadcast partners and panelists will be announced in the coming weeks.
About America East: The America East provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field. One of the most comprehensive Division I conferences in the country and progressive in its approach to its more than 3,400 student-athletes, America East recognizes champions in each of its 18 sports and consists of members spanning from the Mid-Atlantic to Northeast regions of the United States including: University at Albany, Binghamton University, University of Hartford, University of Maine, UMBC, UMass Lowell, University of New Hampshire, Stony Brook University and University of Vermont. For more information, visit www.AmericaEast.com or follow the America East Conference on Twitter @AmericaEast.
About the America East Academic Consortium: Established in June 2014, the America East Academic Consortium (AEAC) is dedicated to facilitating inter-institutional academic and administrative collaboration between the nine universities that comprise the America East Conference. To learn more about the AEAC, please visit the initiative’s website at www.theaeac.org.
- #3Pillars – Building the Complete Student-Athlete -