The State University of New York has launched a system-wide esports tournament and Hudson Valley Community College has joined the games. Nearly 40 colleges have signed up for the three-week competition, which will officially begin Monday, April 27.
HVCC will be entering five teams across three games in the SUNY Chancellor Esports Challenge Co-Sponsored by Extreme Networks. The Hudson Valley esports teams will be playing against approximately 40 other SUNY Colleges for a $20,000 prize pool slated for COVID-19 relief efforts through the #SUNYTogether fund.
The Vikings registered nine individuals to compete for the grand prize in the three games of Fortnite Duos, Rocket League 3v3 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The Vikings group is highlighted by members of the Hudson Valley Gaming Club along with a few Hudson Valley student-athletes.
Team #1 in Fortnite includes softball student-athlete Emma Rafferty, who will be paired up with Shawn Treaster, while Team #2 is comprised of a pair of football student-athletes, Musa Hemby and Billy Hollis-Ragin. Harlan Jackson, Skyler Williams, and Zarek Thomas form a trio to compete in 3v3 Rocket League, and Jarred Fink and Bill Gannon will compete in singles Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
"Hudson Valley is interested in jumping into the esports world and we are excited to participate in the first SUNY-wide esports competition," said Director of Athletics, Justin Hoyt. "This challenge offers a new and exciting way to engage our students while incorporating student-athletes, club members, and the general student population."
Two teams from each school are allowed to participate in each section of the competition. The top prize for each game is $2,000, which will be donated to the student emergency fund at the winners' respective school as part of the #SUNYTogether relief effort. There will also be a $5,000 grand prize given to the college with the best overall score. Players will also be eligible for other prizes from Extreme Networks and Mtn Dew Amp Game Fuel.
Tournament formation was orchestrated by LeagueSpot, a rapidly growing platform partner for esports programs. LeagueSpot also provides competition management solutions for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC).
In addition to matching SUNY Funding, Extreme Networks has provided promotional efforts.
"Sports are a great unifier – be it on or off the field. In times where we aren't able to come together in stadiums, fields, and arenas to cheer our favorite athletes, esports competition is an ideal way to keep students engaged with each other," said Norman Rice, Chief Operating Officer, Extreme Networks. "By linking the competition to COVID-19 relief efforts, the SUNY Chancellor Esports Challenge will bring students together for much needed fun and fundraising. We are proud to support this first-of-its-kind event to connect and inspire students representing all of SUNY's 64 campuses."
Extreme Networks is the Official Wi-Fi Solutions Provider of the NFL, delivering high-density Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi analytics solutions to 25 NFL teams, and during the past seven Super Bowls. This year marks the seventh season of the Extreme-NFL partnership. Extreme solutions are deployed in professional sports stadiums around the world, and at more than 17,000 schools and 4,500 college campuses worldwide, powering digital education initiatives and enabling competitive esports programs, including at SUNY Canton.
About the #SUNYTogether Campaign
Established to bolster the SUNY system's ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, #SUNYTogether is a multi-faceted fundraising effort that aligns with Governor Cuomo's broader "New York Loves" philanthropic campaign. In addition to raising money for student emergency funds, #SUNYTogether also provides funding for medical research, personal protective equipment, and student scholarship.
About Extreme Networks
Extreme Networks, Inc. (EXTR) creates effortless networking experiences that enable all of us to advance. It pushes the boundaries of technology leveraging the powers of machine learning, artificial intelligence, analytics, and automation. Over 50,000 customers globally use its end-to-end, cloud-driven networking solutions and rely on its top-rated services and support to accelerate their digital transformation efforts and deliver progress like never before. For more information, visit Extreme's website or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.