Collegiate esports featured at UH Maui College Spring Open House

Collegiate esports will be featured at the University of Hawai‘i Maui College 2019 Spring Open House on Wednesday, April 10, from 5-7 p.m. at the Student Lounge in Pilina Building, followed by a demonstration by UHMC Strategic Gaming Society, featuring video game Counter Strike Global Offense.

Those interested can sign up for a limited time to play top PC titles like CS:GO, Apex Legends, Fortnite, Smite, Dota2 or Super Smash Bros Ultimate on the Nintendo Switch.

UH Maui College has signed up for the National Association of Collegiate Esports, the governing body that focuses on the education and development of students though competitive video gaming.

Esports is a billion-dollar industry in the international market described plainly as competitive, organized video gaming. Games streamed online have turned casual players into international stars who rake in seven-figure earnings through competitions and brand endorsements. There are fandoms, corporate sponsors, and behind it is an art and science that has arrived in the academe and collegiate sports.

“We want our current and future students to know that now is the time to get in UHMC as we have plans to get competitive, recruit, build a team and get in the NACE esports arena,” said Al Paschoal, director of Student Life and lead facilitator of the initiative. “I know we have really good players on campus and I’m sure others are out there.”

Community partners interested to sponsor the initiative may get in touch with Pascoal directly at paschoal@hawaii.edu.

The Spring Open House is free and open to the public. Current and prospective students can learn about various academic programs such as Nursing, Hospitality and Tourism, Business Administration, Creative Media, and more. Transfer, international and returning students are all welcome.

Campus tours will bring those interested to check out UHMC classrooms, support centers and program facilities like the dental hygiene lab, biology, ecology or astronomy labs, ceramics studio, and even the media production studio. Participants will be able to get a taste of student life through hands-on experiences during the tours.

Admissions, counseling and financial aid services will be available to answer questions and help you apply on the spot. Those applying for Summer or Fall semesters at the Open House will receive special UHMC swag. Sign up for the Open House and egames at maui.hawaii.edu.