The Scholars, the world’s premier collegiate gaming symposium created by the team behind the Esports Awards, unveiled the nomination finalists for their inaugural awards ceremony. GamerTech, the gamer performance wearables, and advanced apparel company, will join the Scholars in Las Vegas later this year, presenting the Collegiate Player of the Year award.
Designed to empower students and professionals alike, the Scholars provides a platform to delve into cutting-edge insights, connect with industry pioneers, and celebrate excellence in the world of collegiate gaming. The Scholars, which has seen over 1,500 nominations, will feature an array of conferences and networking events taking place across the 27th and 28th of November, before the main awards ceremony.
“I’m thrilled to extend a warm welcome to GamerTech® as we kick off the inaugural editions of the Scholars and our Collegiate Gaming Summit at PWR UP Las Vegas. These events represent our commitment to embracing the future of esports. It brings me immense joy to be a part of elevating collegiate esports as we focus on nurturing the next generation of players. Together, we’re forging an exciting path toward a promising future for the esports community.” commented Michael Ashford, CEO, Esports Awards
As part of the partnership, the team at GamerTech will bring their passion for players to the Scholars awards stage on November 28 at Resort World in Las Vegas by announcing the Collegiate Player of the Year Award. Alongside the award, GamerTech® is also the official title sponsor of the Collegiate Gaming Summit at PWR UP Las Vegas.
PWR Up Las Vegas will offer unique mentoring sessions for students to hear from and build relationships with of the most recognized leaders in the industry. The first collegiate gaming panel for PWR Up Las Vegas, Navigating Your Path to Success in #gaming and #esports: From College to Career, has been announced and will be presented by New Level Recruiting’s Nathan Clauss, Electronic Art’s Linda Waste, Riot Games’ Brian Tran and thatgamecompany’s Christine Chua.
Created to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of talented scholars who have embraced the realms of gaming, the Scholars has unveiled a host of inaugural categories to recognise those within the collegiate industry who have unrivalled dedication and skills, and have shown their prowess across a myriad of disciplines.
The full list of finalists are:
Collegiate Program of the Year
- University of Oklahoma
- University of Texas at Austin
- UC San Diego
- University of California Berkeley
- University of Michigan
- Maryville University
- St. Clair College
- Boise State University
- University of St. Thomas
- PACE University
- Fisher College
- Illinois State University
- University of Hawaii
Conference of the Year
- NECC
- National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE)
- Mountain West Conference
- College CoD
- College Carball Association
- College League of Legends
- Unified Midwest Esports Conference
Program Director of the Year
- Mike Aguilar, University of Oklahoma
- Chris “Doc” Haskell, Boise State University
- Travis Yang, Wichita State University
- Sergio Brack, University of Maryland
- Daniel Clerke, Maryville University
- Cody (evolve), Northwood University Blue
- Jono Eaton, Ferris State University
- Jesse Bodony, Pace University
- Christine Fan, MSI
Club of the Year
- Illini Esports – University of Illinois
- Triton Gaming – UCSD
- Boise State University
- Niner Esports at UNC Charlotte
- UArizona Wildcat Gaming Club
- Coog Esports – University of Houston
- CU Gaming – University of Colorado
- Gator Gaming – University of Florida
- Sooners Esports – OU
Collegiate Player of the Year presented by GamerTech®
- Emiliano Flores (Durtho), Boise State
- Furbsa, Northwood Esports
- Ian Perfit, Boise State
- Joseph Paci, Boise State
- Preston Ferrante, Boise State
- Spencer Pugg Moorez, Detonate
- John Rinella, Boise State
- Ali Salahedin
Tournament Organizer
- Boise State University
- College Carball Association
- College CoD
- Cxmmunity Gaming Co.
- NACE
- NECC
- Red Bull Campus Clutch
- CECC
Team of the Year
- Boise State Overwatch
- Niner Esports iRacing
- Northwood University call of Duty
- University of St. Thomas League of Legends
- Maryville University
- Utah – PAC U
- Winthrop University
- Fisher College
- Illinois State
Commercial Partner of the Year
- EsportsGear
- MSI
- Red bull
- Esports Foundry
- Chipotle
- McDonalds
- XBOX
- Rockstar Energy
- AMD
Collegiate Student Leader of the Year
- Alex Niall, University of Houston Graduate
- Bryce Dudenhoeffer, Missouri Western State University
- Jorge Sanchez, University at North Carolina
- Aden Frosch, Northwood University
- Arthur Nagels, Pace University
- Emiliano Flores, Boise
- Jonathan Foraker, Boise State
- Kyle Wilkowski, Ferris State University
- Logan Lewis, the Unniversity of Akron
- Nikita Shane
- AJ Taylor, University of Ilinois
Institution of the Year
- Boise State University
- Ferris State University
- Illinois Wesleyan University
- University of Southern California
- University of Central Florida
- UC-Irvine
- Northwood University
- University of St. Thomas
LAN of the Year
- Boost on the Beach
- CECC Texas 2023
- College CoD 2023 Championship LAN
- Collegiate Rocket League 2023 – World Championship
- NACE Starleague Spring Grand Finals 2023
- Niner Esports Union LAN Party
The winner of the Global Impact on Collegiate Gaming will be announced at the inaugural Scholars on the 28th of November. Students can purchase tickets for both PWR UP Las Vegas and the Scholars for $50.
Editors pick
