CANTON -- SUNY is creating the first system-wide esports league to promote safe competition, connection and camaraderie among students during COVID-19 restrictions.

SUNY Canton will enter teams in each of the games, according to Charles W. Murray, the college's esports coordinator, who helped design the league and will oversee its management. Overall, the college has nine teams, including popular titles "League of Legends” and "Overwatch.” There are future plans to add more games to the SUNY League as the effort gains traction.

"The SUNY Esports League is providing new avenues for our students and creating a better overall experience," Murray said. "Our hope is to continue solidifying competitive relationships and offer students more ways and teams to play."

Registration for the fall league is open now to all SUNY schools, and goes through Thursday, September 24. Interested teams can sign up by emailing suny@leaguespot.gg.

Extreme Networks Inc. is the SUNY Esports League's first official partner. This spring, the company donated half of the prize money for the Chancellor's Challenge to benefit winning schools' COVID-19 relief funds.

“Creating a new system-wide league is clearly the logical next step following the extraordinary success of this year's SUNY Esports Chancellor's Challenge Co-Sponsored by Extreme Networks," said SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran. "SUNY Esports will offer the opportunity for all schools throughout the system to compete. Being able to do so despite the COVID-19 pandemic makes it even more rewarding. I applaud the chancellor and SUNY for expanding student opportunities at a time when so many traditional options have to be limited."

The SUNY Esports League will offer gameplay in "Rocket League,” "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate,” "Fortnite,” "Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege,” "Paladins” and "Smite.

Game orchestration will be provided by LeagueSpot. SUNY and SUNY Canton have partnered with the organization to offer its previous tournaments.