PlayVS Partners with Syracuse University and ELITE Gaming for December Esports Weekend

PlayVS is teaming with ELITE Gaming and Syracuse University to host a December esports weekend that links New York high school players with collegiate competition and campus exposure. ELITE Gaming will run the PlayVS Empire State Showdown on Dec. 5 while Syracuse hosts the PlayVS College League Fall Championships Dec. 5–6, creating a pipeline from high school events (including open tournaments and a Smash local) to college scouting and recruitment through PlayVS Recruit.

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ELITE Gaming is set to host the PlayVS Empire State Showdown on Saturday, December 5, with the PlayVS College League (PCL) Fall Championships taking place at Syracuse University on December 5–6. Throughout the weekend, New York high school students will be able to compete at ELITE Gaming, visit Syracuse University on Sunday to see collegiate teams from around the country in action, meet their players, and tour the campus. A Friday evening Smash local at Syracuse University and Saturday open tournament at ELITE Gaming will invite additional players from across New York into the weekend. “This event represents the complete vision of PlayVS,” said Charles O’Donnell, Chief Revenue Officer at PlayVS. “By partnering with ELITE Gaming for high school production and Syracuse University for our PCL Finals, we’re creating a seamless bridge from high school play to college campuses. PlayVS Recruit acts as the connective engine, turning weekend tournament competition into real academic and career opportunities for students.” Here a full breakdown of the weekends events: The PlayVS Empire State Showdown will feature New York State high school league semifinals and finals in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Crew, Rocket League, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, plus an open Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament. “Live events are an important part of building strong, sustainable scholastic esports programs because they give students something to work toward and create experiences that go far beyond online competition,” said Rob O’Connor of ELITE Gaming. “We’re excited to work with PlayVS and Syracuse University to give students across New York the opportunity to compete, connect with other players, and see where esports can take them beyond high school.” You can check out the full event details here. Syracuse will kickoff the weekend of events with a local The PCL Fall Championships will bring college teams from the Premier Division to Syracuse University for live competition in Overwatch, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and VALORANT. High school participants will be invited to attend Sunday’s college finals, meet collegiate players, and take campus tours. “I’m excited to see PlayVS and Elite Gaming collaborate on this championship and to continue our work with both organizations through Syracuse Esports. Bringing high school esports players into Syracuse’s facilities creates opportunities for competition, education, professional development and connection with the collegiate esports community. It’s another great example of how Central New York is embracing esports and showing that its impact goes well beyond the game itself,” said Joey Gawrysiak, Executive Director of Esports at Syracuse University. Throughout the weekend, PlayVS will showcase PlayVS Recruit , an integrated platform tool that connects verified high school student-athletes (ages 16+) directly with collegiate recruiters and scholarship opportunities. PlayVS Recruit will help extend those interactions beyond Syracuse. Eligible high school players can be discovered by college esports programs through profiles built around verified competition information, while recruiters can find prospects by game title, graduation year, and other criteria. The in-person experience and recruiting platform will give students different ways to explore collegiate esports. For more information on PlayVS, visit playvs.com. Media Contact: [email protected] About PlayVS PlayVS is North America’s leading scholastic and collegiate gaming platform, helping students unlock the educational, social, and personal benefits of competitive gaming. The company brings together students, coaches, educators, and schools through structured, education-aligned competition and curriculum across K-12 and college. PlayVS is the official esports partner of the NFHS Network, the Special Olympics, and state and regional organizations across the U.S. To learn more, visit playvs.com.

Curated by Taleb Kabbara · Source: playvs.com

Companies Mentioned

PlayVS, Syracuse University, ELITE Gaming, PlayVS College League, NFHS Network

PlayVS: PlayVS is North America’s leading scholastic and collegiate gaming platform that is organizing and showcasing events and its PlayVS Recruit platform during the December esports weekend.

Syracuse University: Syracuse University is the host campus for the PlayVS College League Fall Championships and is providing facilities, a Friday Smash local kickoff, and campus tours for visiting high school students.

ELITE Gaming: ELITE Gaming is an esports organization hosting the PlayVS Empire State Showdown and producing the high school competition and open tournament components of the December esports weekend.

PlayVS College League: PlayVS College League (PCL) is the collegiate esports league presenting the Fall Championships, bringing Premier Division college teams to Syracuse University for live competition.

NFHS Network: NFHS Network is referenced as an organization for which PlayVS is the official esports partner.

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