Since starting the Esports program at the University of South Dakota two years ago, the Coyotes have grown as a team, added multiple sponsors, unveiled a new Esports arena, and now prepare to host a charity tournament to support Extra Life and Children’s Miracle Network.
Don’t look now but the Coyotes are taking over the college Esports world with the goal of giving back.
The University of South Dakota Esports team is hosting a 24-hour charity marathon on their USD Esports Twitch beginning on November 7th in partnership with Extra Life and to benefit local children’s hospitals. Since 2008, Extra Life has united thousands of gamers around the world to play games in support of their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital and has raised over $70 million for sick and injured children. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the U.S. and Canada.
Now you can count USD Esports as a major player in helping aid Children’s Miracle Network Hospital thanks to Extra Life. As part of the live stream on Twitch, the Coyotes are planning to host four single player tournaments with a free-will donation entry fee.
Back in late April, USD Esports President Derek Bierschbach announced Wooter Apparel as the Coyotes apparel sponsor for the 2020-21 season. Along with customizing jersey tops for the entire team, USD Esports members also enjoy a wide variety of custom-made Wooter Apparel gear to order from including warm-ups, t-shirts, hoodies, polos, hats, backpacks, shorts, and more. In addition to Wooter Apparel the Coyotes also boast Mountain Dew Game Fuel as a sponsor, as the first beverage designed just for gamers.
Founded in 2018, the University of South Dakota Esports team is a student-led, inclusive program where students have the opportunity to compete in a variety of online gaming platforms. Student gamers have access to 24 new computer stations and two large TVs surrounded by lounge furniture complete with game consoles, including Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4 Pro and Xbox One X. USD Esports currently participates in the Collegiate Starleague League of Legends, Madden, Rocket League, Counter Strike and Fortnite competitions. The team also participates in Hearthstone, Overwatch, Call of Duty, Rainbow 6: Siege and Valorant competitions, and also offers weekly Smash Bros tournaments and monthly regional events.
Thanks @WooterApparel! https://t.co/CDXR7X9dTN
— USD Esports (@SDCoyoteEsports) September 28, 2020
The Coyotes are right at home competing in their new Esports arena that opened in early September.
The newly renovated, expansive room in McKusick Technology Center includes 24 state-of-the-art computer stations and two large TVs surrounded by lounge furniture complete with game consoles like Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4 Pro and Xbox One X. It also provides a space for the USD Esports Team to practice, compete against one another and participate in regional and national online competitions.
“The arena allows individuals to access games that they would otherwise be unable to without the high-end PCs,” said Bierschbach, founder and graduate assistant of the USD Esports Team.
“The space allows for much more camaraderie and team building than we have had before, with players being able to practice and compete in the same space as their teammates and spend more time with them.”
To learn more about USD Esports taking part in the 24-hour charity marathon presented by Extra Life and benefiting Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, visit the official Extra Life website.