Prior to the start of the 2024-25 academic year, the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) announced the creation of Project I. The competitive effort is an initiative designed to advance and promote collegiate esports and is open to NCAA Division I members.
The spring semester of competition for Project I is scheduled to begin next week and the NECC is currently working with 82 colleges representing six different conferences.
The conferences that are taking part in Project I during its first year include schools representing the Big South, the ESC (made up primarily of schools representing the Mid-Atlantic Conference), the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC), the Mountain West Conference, and the membership of the Summit League.
For the complete list of schools that are competing in Project I, please click here.
Project I is featuring competition across four titles this year: League of Legends, Overwatch, Rocket League, and Valorant. The effort will culminate with an in-person National Championship tournament, crowning a champion in each of the four titles.
For more information on the league, please visit its competitive home page which can be found here.
Funds from Project I membership fees will be going to support the Championship LAN event and cover travel costs for qualifying schools to attend the National Championship Tournament.
The top four teams from each conference will advance to a single-elimination postseason tournament, with conference champions securing spots in the National Tournament. Details on the location and dates of the spring 2025 National Championship will be announced soon.
“By offering a platform for students who may not engage in traditional sports, esports foster a sense of belonging and community, enhancing overall student engagement,” shared David Dickert, Esports Coordinator and Adjunct Instructor of Esports Management at The University of Southern Mississippi.
“Overall, Division I esports competition at Southern Miss not only benefits students and the university but also strengthens the broader community.”
ABOUT THE NECC
The NECC fosters innovative competition experiences, provides quality broadcasting services, and works to support an inclusive community within collegiate esports. The NECC was started to provide the collegiate gaming community with the respect it warranted and deserved. The conference prides itself on responding to the needs of its schools, directors, coaches, and most importantly - its players.
With more than 400 colleges and universities currently competing, the NECC strives to be a positive home for the collegiate gaming community.
