CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference (MAC) announced today a historic esports venture with a newly created independent esports Conference – Esports Collegiate Conference – to facilitate and foster high-quality gaming competition among collegiate esports teams. 
 
The Esports Collegiate Conference (Esports Collegiate or ESC) will provide structure, scheduling and championship opportunities for its membership, with competition beginning with the 2020-21 academic year. The ESC is an independent entity and will operate separately from the Mid-American Conference.  
 
Esports Collegiate’s 12 founding members are: University of Akron, Ball State University, Bowling Green State University, University at Buffalo, Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Kent State University, Miami University, Northern Illinois University, Ohio University, University of Toledo and Western Michigan University. 
 
Esports Collegiate will feature Fall and Spring seasons, competing in game titles such as Overwatch and League of Legends. An Esports Collegiate Champion will be crowned in each game title, with the champion earning an automatic bid to the national postseason tournament. 
 
Spring season competition will be in Overwatch and League of Legends. Titles being considered for the Fall are Rocket League, Fortnite, Super Smash Brothers, Madden or FIFA. 

“The creation of Esports Collegiate represents the foresight of our presidents to establish a stand-alone competitive framework for collegiate esports competitors and enthusiasts,” states Mid-American Conference Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher.   

“I look forward to this organization maturing and growing, facilitating excellent competitive opportunities, fostering teamwork, and providing even more reasons to attend an Esports Collegiate member institution.” 

Miami University President Dr. Greg Crawford will serve as the President of the Esports Collegiate Board of Directors.

“I, along with my presidential colleagues are thrilled by the creation of the Esports Collegiate Conference,” says Crawford. “Esports has a growing presence on all of our campuses. Esports Collegiate will provide a framework for competition among peers, and afford another opportunity for student engagement.” 

A seven-member Competition Committee has been established to oversee scheduling, game title selection/recommendations, championship format, and any other infrastructure issues that may arise.
 
For more information visit www.esports-collegiate.com and follow ESC via twitter (@ESC_Conference), Instagram (esportscollegiate_) and Facebook (@ESportCollegiate).