Mid-Atlantic Esports Conference Includes Participation of 12 Schools, Competitions Begin This Month
Washington, DC – March 19, 2021 – Game Gym and Events DC announced today the launch of the Mid-Atlantic Esports Conference, hosting competitions and other esports programs for colleges and universities in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.
The Conference will create local rivalries and foster friendly competition amongst area universities and support the development of esports programs through cash prizes, scholarships, and donations of computers, peripherals, and other gaming gear. Twelve schools are planning to participate in the inaugural spring 2021 season, and competitions will begin this month for three different games: League of Legends, Rocket League, and Overwatch.
“Events DC is proud to support our regional collegiate esports community by partnering with Game Gym to launch this new Conference,” said Gregory A. O’Dell, president and chief executive officer of Events DC. “Washington DC is a vibrant and dynamic hub for sporting and cultural events that can’t be found anywhere else – and esports is an increasingly important component of that ecosystem. We look forward to expanding our engagement with the esports community through our partnership with Game Gym and our role as Co-Founder of the Mid-Atlantic Esports Conference.”
“The Mid-Atlantic Esports Conference will raise the level of competition here in the region, and help support the growing esports programs at colleges and universities throughout DC, Virginia, and Maryland,” said Game Gym CEO Josh Hafkin. “We are proud to launch this Conference in partnership with Events DC.”
“It is great to see the formation of an independent esports Conference for institutions of higher education starting here in the Mid-Atlantic area,” said Joey Gawrysiak, Director, Esports at Shenandoah University. “We are looking forward to increased competition and professional development opportunities around esports, as we all continue to build up esports and make the Mid-Atlantic region a leader in the collegiate esports space.”
The Conference will also develop and manage other programs to support esports at participating schools. There will be an online clearinghouse for available internships, a “College Combine” for high schools students to learn more about the esports programs at participating schools, and to learn more about those schools in general, and an “Internship and Job Fair” for college students at participating schools to learn about internships and job opportunities in the esports industry and related fields.
"We're very excited to be a part of the Mid-Atlantic Esports Conference,” said Molly McManamon, Director of Fitness, Rec Sports and Wellness at The Catholic University of America. “Our program is looking forward to competing in a league that will provide great competition, professional opportunities, and an inclusive culture."
“We readily anticipate the rivalries and competition the Mid-Atlantic Esports Conference will bring to the area,” said Peter Parker, Student President of GMU Esports at George Mason University. “What a great initiative!”
Complete information is available here:
Mid-Atlantic Esports Conference: Participating Schools for Spring 2021
Catholic University of America
George Mason University
Hood College
Howard Community College
Marymount University
Mount Saint Mary’s University
Northern Virginia Community College
Old Dominion University
Randolph College
Randolph-Macon College
Shenandoah University
Virginia Commonwealth University
About Game Gym
Game Gym is an esports training center that offers a healthy and holistic approach to video games, with live and online structured sessions and professional, certified coaches designed to help children and teenagers game better and smarter.
About Events DC
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation's capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District's hospitality and tourism economy that hosts more than 1.7 million visitors and generates more than $400 million annually in total economic impact, and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the RFK Stadium-Armory Campus (RFK Campus), including Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Festival Grounds at RFK Campus, The Fields at RFK Campus, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and the Skate Park at RFK Stadium. Stay current on the 190-acre RFK Campus Redevelopment Project at www.RFKFields.com. Events DC also built and serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. Events DC manages Gateway DC, R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center and Entertainment & Sports Arena, all conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC.
