HARRISBURG, PA — The annual National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) Awards are back again! This year, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) is recognized in two categories: Both the 2024 HUE Invitational and HU’s Professor Tom Screech have been nominated as finalists. The HUE Invitational is a finalist in the Outstanding Event Award category, while Professor Tom Screech is nominated in two categories: Advocate of the Year and Educator of the Year.
Professor Screech noted: “Being a finalist in two NACE Award categories is incredibly meaningful, and none of it would be possible without the outstanding students at Harrisburg University. Getting to work alongside them every day, guide them, and introduce them to the incredible collegiate esports community through hands-on experience is truly the most rewarding part of what I do – I’ve learned being an educator means being an advocate for growth.”
The HUE Invitational has been a mainstay collegiate esports event at Harrisburg University since 2018, when it was first branded as “HUE Fest.” Since 2023, HUE has been planned, managed, and broadcast by HU student volunteers.
In 2024, the HUE Invitational welcomed over 200 attendees and 17 participating colleges and universities, representing 10 different states and one Canadian province. The event was presented by Intel and supported by Zenni Gaming, the official eyewear of the HUE Invitational; and by Spectrum Industries, the casting desk presenting partner; and College Esports News (CEN), the official media partners of HUE Invitational.
HU’s Assistant Director of Esports & Partnerships and HU Alumnus (‘23), Lynzie Wagaman, expressed: “It’s an honor for the 2024 HUE Invitational to be nominated again as an Outstanding Event in the NACE Awards. HUE being recognized is not just about the event but also about the 45-plus HU students who volunteer hours of their time as tournament organizers, broadcasters, runners, and so much more over the three-day event to make it outstanding. It’s thanks to them that HUE Invitational remains one of the best and most anticipated college esports events of the year!”
The NACE Awards Ceremony will take place during the NACE National Convention, to be held at The University of Texas at Dallas from July 23–25. While the awards do not have public voting, finalists can be viewed on the NACE website. Be sure to follow the links below to HU’s social media channels for updates on the Awards!
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ABOUT NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGIATE ESPORTS
The National Association of Collegiate Esports is the only nonprofit membership association of colleges and universities with varsity esports programs. 200 schools across the United States and Canada compete for championships every year across a variety of esports titles.
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University was recently recognized by US News & World Report as one of the nation’s most innovative colleges. HU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a private, nonprofit university offering bachelor’s and graduate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, nursing, and other health science fields. For additional information about HU’s affordable, demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, please call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay updated by following Harrisburg University on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X (Twitter).
MEDIA CONTACT
Do you have questions about this story? Interested in lining up an interview? Please reach out to Dan Wilhelm, Communications Manager for Harrisburg University of Science & Technology, with any media inquiries.