Niagara Esports 'levels up': Prepares for 2023 MAAC Championships & joins ECAC

By Niagara University

The Niagara University Esports program will be competing March 9-11 in the 2023 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Esports Championships occurring at The Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Niagara will be sending students to compete in three titles: Super Smash Brothers: Ultimate, Rocket League, and Overwatch 2. In total, 10 institutions will be competing along with Niagara, including Siena College, Marist College, Fairfield University, Quinnipiac University, Canisius College, Iona College, Rider University, Manhattan College and Mount St. Mary’s University.

“I’m so happy and grateful to my teammates that we are able to compete this year at the MAAC championships,” said Alyssa Chorazak, a junior TESOL major from Cheektowaga, and captain of the Overwatch 2 team. “The first time I went to the MAAC championships last year, I was a little nervous, not knowing what to expect. It turned out to be one of my favorite Niagara memories so far. I was able to meet people from the Esports club that I hadn’t met before and meet people from other schools. It’s truly a time I’ll never forget, and I’m very excited to go back this year to represent Niagara University.”

New this academic year, the Niagara Esports program has joined the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Esports league. ECAC Esports has nearly 150 colleges and universities coast to coast in its membership, with more than 800 participating teams and 4,000 student competitors.

Thus far, Niagara students have been able to compete and represent Niagara in four titles, including FIFA, Madden23, NBA2K and Rocket League. Students compete in weekly competition and culminate with a championship playoff series at the end of each semester.

“Our students have been very pleased with our decision to join the ECAC this year,” said Bill Newton, associate director of Campus Activities and coordinator of the Niagara Esports program. “Our membership in the ECAC allows more students to compete in additional game titles and widens the overall awareness of our program.”

For more information on Niagara Esports, visit www.niagara.edu/esports.