On Monday, February 19, the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) announced it would officially step into the world of esports. The MVC’s esports league will run from February through April for its member institutions.
While offering esports is not a new venture for existing athletic conferences, this is the first time the MVC will offer it.
“We are so excited about this new league-wide initiative. Esports provides a great platform for our schools to create new rivalries, friendships, and opportunities. The Valley is ecstatic to be working with the NECC (National Esports Collegiate Conference) on this inspiring new venture,” says MVC Commissioner Jeff Jackson.
This year’s MVC esports league offers competition in three games: Overwatch 2, Rocket League, and Super Smash Bros. Illinois State University will field teams in all three titles. Redbird Esports varsity teams will compete in Overwatch 2 and Rocket League. Redbird Esports currently does not have a varsity team for Super Smash Bros. The Redbird Gaming club, Redbird Super Smash Bros., will compete.
“Athletics conferences, like the MVC have been around for hundreds of years, cultivating rivalries amongst schools, building fandom, and providing unrivaled structure to support students while they represent their universities in intercollegiate competition,” said Redbird Esports Director David Kirk. “Having the buy-in from the MVC moves the needle forward in the legitimization of collegiate esports in the minds of traditional athletics fans. It also provides an incredible opportunity for our players to participate in the rivalries and history that the MVC has built over the last century.”
The Missouri Valley Conference entered into a partnership with the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) to oversee, manage, and help support league competition. “We’re extremely excited to be helping support the MVC’s esports effort,” said NECC CEO Jacob VanRyn. “From the first brainstorming session we had on the subject all the way through Monday’s announcement and the beginning of the regular season, it’s been an honor to be a part of such a collaborative effort where all of the member schools and the leadership at each were committed to this effort on behalf of their student-athletes.”
Week 1 of competition begins on February 19, with Super Smash Bros. matches taking place on Mondays, Rocket League on Tuesdays, and Overwatch 2 on Wednesdays. There are seven weeks of regular season matches and a championship event later this spring. Match date and times are subject to change. The best way to stay up to date with all matches is to follow Redbird Esports on social media. A full breakdown of the schedule can be found below:
Overwatch 2 Regular Season Schedule
- Wednesday, February 21 vs. Valparaiso University, 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, February 28 vs. Bradley University, 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 6 vs. Missouri State, 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 20 BYE
- Wednesday, March 27 vs. University of Evansville, 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 3 vs. Southern Illinois University, 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 10 vs. Belmont University, 7 p.m.
Rocket League Regular Season Schedule
- Tuesday, February 20 BYE
- Tuesday, February 27 vs. Bradley University, 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 5 vs. Valparaiso University, 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 19 vs. Murray State University, 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 26 vs. University of Evansville, 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 2 vs. Southern Illinois University, 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 9 vs. Missouri State University, 7 p.m.
Super Smash Bros. Regular Season Schedule
- Monday, February 19 vs. Valparaiso University, 7 p.m.
- Monday, February 26 vs. Indiana State, 7 p.m.
- Monday, March 4 vs. Missouri State, 7 p.m.
- Monday, March 18 vs. University of Evansville, 7 p.m.
- Monday, March 25 vs. Southern Illinois University, 7 p.m.
- Monday, April 1 vs. Valparaiso University, 7 p.m.
- Monday, April 8 vs. Indiana State, 7 p.m.
Tune in to all the action on Twitch and follow us on social media for match updates. More information is availabile in the MVC announcement.
