Michigan State University’s esports program has officially joined forces with seven other leading universities to form the Power Esports Conference (PEC), further solidifying MSU’s commitment to advancing esports at the collegiate level.
A New Era for Collegiate Gaming
The conference — which includes powerhouse institutions such as The Ohio State University, University of Kansas, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska and University of Southern California — is set to begin competitive play this 2024-25 academic year.
Spearheaded by Boise State, Michigan State and Syracuse, the PEC is a collaboration that will offer competitive opportunities in four major esports titles: Valorant, Overwatch 2, Rocket League and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (SSBU). MSU, which already has varsity teams for Valorant, Rocket League and SSBU, is poised to continue its reputation as a formidable contender.
The PEC’s inaugural season is slated to begin Sept. 23, 2024, with weekly matches running through both the fall and spring semesters. The season will culminate in an in-person championship event in the spring, where all eight member schools will vie for top honors.
Christopher Bilski, director of esports at MSU, expressed his enthusiasm for the new conference.
“We are proud to help form the Power Esports Conference, a first-of-its-kind collaboration to create memorable and meaningful competitive opportunities for our students, alumni, and partners,” Bilski said. “This conference brings together like-minded institutions to highlight some of the best and brightest in collegiate esports and is a positive step forward in continuing to grow esports opportunities at Michigan State University.”
This new venture comes as MSU continues its participation in the Big Esports Conference (BEC), a conference it helped establish in 2023 alongside the University of Michigan, University of Minnesota and The Ohio State University.
MSU’s esports program, housed within the College of Communication Arts and Sciences (ComArtSci), has rapidly gained support and recognition within the university, reflecting the broader national trend of growing interest and investment in collegiate esports. The PEC will not only provide students with a platform for high-level competition, but it will also create opportunities for growth and collaboration in areas such as broadcast, media and marketing.
“Getting peer institutions that have similar esports pursuits together represents a new dynamic in collegiate esports,” said Dr. Joey Gawrysiak, executive director of esports at Syracuse University. “We are excited to provide high quality esports productions to our campus communities with storylines they resonate with that goes beyond gaming.”
Dr. Chris Haskell, head coach of esports at Boise State University, agrees. “We are elated to help establish this conference and play peer institutions in a fixed season schedule that expands upon our traditional athletic rivalries,” he said. “The PEC will be a great addition to the other leagues and publisher tournaments that make for a great student experience.”
As MSU prepares to compete in this newly formed conference, the Spartans are ready to showcase their talent and continue building a legacy.
— Jessica Mussell,
Adapted from a press release shared by Syracuse University Esports.