The University of Hawaii's esports program has been nominated for an award from the national Esports Awards after a summer of unprecedented exposure.
The two-year-old program is one of 10 in the country up for "Esports Collegiate Program of the Year" as voted on by a panel of experts and the public. The winner will be announced on Nov. 20.
UH gained attention for hosting the professional esports Overwatch League for four tournaments over the summer, then for the Overwatch Grand Finals in September. The university's geography and access to an undersea fiber optic cable to Japan made it a viable site to set up pro teams for remote competition in the pandemic era. The Shanghai Dragons, playing from Asia, claimed the $1.5 million grand prize by defeating the Atlanta Reign, playing from UH.
About 20 UH students were able to participate with Overwatch developer Activision Blizzard as interns for the tournaments and earn university course credit.
This month, UH picked up its first national collegiate championship in any esports game; it went undefeated in the bracket for the game Valorant.
"With UH Esports earning this distinction as a finalist among other great programs nationwide, it goes to show the diversity of opportunities (academically as well as competitively) that UH Esports has given to its students," Sky Kauweloa, head of the UH Esports academic task force, told Pacific Business News. "Now, the premiere awards-granting body for the industry is recognizing our efforts. I am extremely proud of everyone at UH Esports."
The other universities nominated are Grand Canyon University, Winthrop University, Maryville University, Northwood University, Minnesota State University, the University of Illinois, the University of Texas, Ohio State University, and Boise State University.
