POTSDAM -- The State University of New York has launched a system-wide esports tournament and SUNY Potsdam has joined the games.

SUNY Potsdam has student competitors who have entered the SUNY Chancellor Esports Challenge Co-Sponsored by Extreme Networks. Two SUNY Potsdam Esports Team members will be playing against students from approximately 40 other SUNY Colleges for a $20,000 prize pool slated for COVID-19 relief efforts through the #SUNYTogether fund.

"SUNY Potsdam is excited to participate in the first SUNY-wide esports competition," said team coach, Dr. Anthony Betrus '93 & '94, who is a professor of educational technology and management. "The challenge offers a new and exciting way to engage students while they are otherwise isolated due to stay-at-home measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19."

Theo Cannamela '23, a chemistry major from Potsdam, N.Y., and Patrick Silk '23, a music education major from Hauppage, N.Y., will compete in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, starting tonight. Matches begin at 7 p.m.

Nearly 40 colleges have signed up for the three-week competition, which will officially begin today, April 27.

Two teams from each school are allowed to participate in each section of the competition. The top prize for each game is $2,000, which will be donated to the student emergency fund at the winners' respective school as part of the #SUNYTogether relief effort. There will also be a $5,000 grand prize given to the college with the best overall score. Players will also be eligible for other prizes from Extreme Networks and Mtn Dew Amp Game Fuel.

Tournament formation was orchestrated by LeagueSpot, a rapidly growing platform partner for esports programs. LeagueSpot also provides competition management solutions for the Eastern College Athletic Association (ECAC).

In addition to matching SUNY Funding, Extreme Networks has provided promotional efforts.

Extreme Networks is the Official Wi-Fi Solutions Provider of the NFL, delivering high-density Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi analytics solutions to 25 NFL teams, and during the past seven Super Bowls. This year marks the seventh season of the Extreme-NFL partnership. Extreme solutions are deployed in professional sports stadiums around the world, and at more than 17,000 schools and 4,500 college campuses worldwide, powering digital education initiatives and enabling competitive esports programs, including at SUNY Canton.