The inaugural Scholastic Esports Awards is approaching–an awards ceremony “for the community, by the community.”
This landmark event is the first of its kind to host awards for students in both K-12 and collegiate esports. They aim to recognize student leaders, coaches, and notable programs across North America.
Their first ceremony is scheduled for January 11-12 at the Ohio Union in Columbus, Ohio. With the event on the horizon, the team behind the awards has announced their voting committee and nominees over Thanksgiving weekend. Voting and ticket sales are currently open to the public to celebrate the talent behind the scholastic esports programs nominated.
The Scholastic Esports Awards is centered around the goal “to take a further step in its vision to support national scholastic esports infrastructure,” according to their website. The group is led by Esports Foundry and VOICE, with an emphasis that this is not just an awards show, but also an opportunity to present engaging discussions and seminars on topics related to esports.
The SEA is currently looking for more presenters and panelists to engage in this effort. Applications are evaluated on a weekly rolling basis, with the selected presenters giving valuable presentations and workshops to attendees to the show.
The full list of nominees is as follows (more information on the nominees can be found on SEA’s X account, linked here):
K-12 Awards
Coach of the Year
The Coach of the Year Award honors a dedicated K-12 esports coach who goes above-and-beyond to inspire, mentor, and empower students to achieve excellence both in and out of competition.
- Marta Anderson (Del Norte High School)
- Colt Berry (Stafford High School)
- Julius Edwards (Palm Beach Lakes High School)
- Jaden Gorham (Hebron High School)
- Miles Harvey (James Monroe Middle School)
- Stephen Juncaj (Detroit Catholic Central High School)
- Adrienne Moliere (University View Academy)
Partner of the Year
This award honors a partner or sponsor who has significantly contributed to the success and sustainability of scholastic esports programs. Their support has enabled competitive play, student development, and the broader growth of the esports ecosystem.
- Katie Briggs (LANFest)
- Gavin Hammers (Lipscomb Academy)
- Dr. Hayden Harrington (Southwestern Oklahoma University)
- Steven Isaacs (Epic Games)
- Cleverlike Studios
- Garden State Esports
- Generation Esports
Administrative Ally of the Year
This award celebrates an individual within a high school or a district administrative role who has shown exceptional dedication and support for esports programs.
- Perry Allen (Director, Stafford Municipal School District)
- PK Graff (Director, Forsyth County Schools)
- Tony Gragnani (Assistant Principal, Webster Groves High School)
- Kammas Kersch (Coordinator, Chester County Intermediate Unit)
- Jake Rasmusson (IT Administrator, Elkhorn Area High School)
- Vanessa Zavar (Assistant Principal, Hebron High School)
Best Jersey Design
This award recognizes the K-12 esports program with the most creative and impactful jersey design, reflecting school spirit, creativity, and team identity.
- Calhoun High School
- Christian Brothers College High School
- Sleepy Hollow Middle School
- Stafford High School
- Tres Volcanes Charter Community School
- York Academy Regional Charter School
K-12 Impact
The Impact Award honors a K-12 student, team, or program that has made a significant, unique contribution to the esports ecosystem.
- Kristy Custer (Generation Esports)
- Steve Isaacs (Epic Games)
- Danielle Johnson (Texas Scholastic Esports Federation)
- Stephen Juncaj (Detroit Catholic Central High School)
- Kammas Kersh (Pennsylvania Scholastic Esports League)
Game Changer Award (The Phil Alexander Award)
The Game Changer Award honors individuals or teams whose actions have celebrated diversity and inspired others by challenging norms in esports.
- Chris Aviles (Garden State Esports)
- Stefy Bau (INIT Esports)
- Julius Edwards (Palm Beach Lakes High School)
- Miles Harvey (James Monroe Middle School)
- Hebron Lady Valorant (Hebron High School)
- Interstate Scholastic Esports Alliance
- Danny Martin (Esposure)
Student Leader of the Year
The Student Leader of the Year Award honors a K-12 student who has exhibited exceptional leadership in esports. This individual has taken initiative to organize events, inspire team collaboration, or drive positive change in their school’s esports community.
- Kyle Branski (Walden III)
- Jayden Jones (Marcus High School)
- Brennan Kelley (Stafford High School)
- Akshay Kondala (Hebron High School)
- Anna Ni (Garden State Esports)
- Jacqueline Rodriguez (Nooksack Valley High School)
- Jack Shive (Barnegat High School)
School of the Year
This award celebrates a K-12 school that has demonstrated an above-and-beyond commitment to esports, creating an environment that supports competitive and educational growth for their students.
- Barnegat High School
- Berne-Knox-Westerll Central School District
- Detroit Catholic Central High School
- Moreno Valley Unified School District
- Stafford High School
Collegiate Awards
Team of the Year
This award honors a collegiate esports team that has demonstrated exceptional competitive prowess while pushing the boundaries of performance. The team exemplifies the highest standards of teamwork, dedication, and sportsmanship, setting new benchmarks for excellence within collegiate esports.
- Ball State University (Rocket League)
- Maryville University (League of Legends)
- St. Clair College (VALORANT)
- University of Houston (SSBU)
- Texas Southern University (Mortal Kombat)
- Winthrop University (VALORANT)
Production Team of the Year
This award celebrates a collegiate esports production team that has delivered outstanding broadcasts, live streams, or event coverage, exemplifying technical excellence and creativity.
- Concord University
- Full Sail University
- Shenandoah University
- St. Clair College
- University of Nevada Las Vegas
- Boise State University
Social Media Excellence
The Social Media Excellence Award honors a collegiate esports program, individual, or group of individuals that has used social media to promote esports in innovative and effective ways. This award recognizes exceptional use of digital platforms to build community and engage audiences.
- Ashley Weaver (Converse University)
- Jordan Ousley (Maryville University)
- Alexia Brown (Northwood University)
- Valerie Shih-Lau (St. Clair College)
- Brenden Bunch (Texas Southern University)
- Kylie Welch (University of Central Florida)
Educator of the Year
This award honors an educator who has made significant contributions to integrating esports in academia through teaching, mentorship, and curriculum development.
- Chris Lamarucciola (Conestoga College)
- Adam Antor (Ferris State University)
- Tom Screech (Harrisburg University)
- Josh Moss (Paradise Valley Community College)
- Zander Merle-Smith (Shenandoah University)
- Chase Neukam (Shenandoah University)
- Joey Gawrysiak (Syracuse University)
Research Excellence
This award recognizes individuals or institutions that have made significant contributions to the scholarly understanding of esports through research.
- Wil Fisackerly (University of Oklahoma)
- Seth Jenny (Slippery Rock University)
Student Club of the Year
This award recognizes a student-led esports club that has demonstrated exceptional organizational skills, competitive success, and inclusivity, supporting a vibrant and supportive esports community at their school.
- Coog Gaming and Esports (University of Houston)
- Drexel Esports (Drexel University)
- Tigers United Gaming (Texas Southern University)
- UNCG Gaming and Esports Club (University of North Carolina Greensboro)
- University of Cincinnati Esports (University of Cincinnatti)
- UTK Esports (University of Tennessee, Knoxville)
Student Leader of the Year
This award recognizes a student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in collegiate esports by taking initiative to drive positive change and create opportunities for growth and inclusion.
- Nicolas Ciri (St. Clair College)
- Cody Frye (Concord University)
- Arturo Haces-Garcia (University of Houston)
- Jordin Hipps (University of North Carolina Greensboro)
- Oleisia Johnson (Spelman College)
- Owais Mohammed (University of Texas at Dallas)
- TJ Stephens (University of Georgia)
- Claire Toomey (Drexel University)
Rising Star Award
The Rising Star Award is presented to an individual or team in collegiate esports who has demonstrated exceptional potential and promise. This award celebrates emerging talent and recognizes those who are poised to become future leaders in the esports community.
- Noah Antor (Davenport University)
- Kevin Biggens (Texas Southern University)
- Kevin Craig (Stony Brook University)
- Bryce Dudenhoeffer (Maryville University)
- Diane Lapierre (University of Mississippi, Assumption University)
- Avery Pierce (Wichita State University)
- Albert Rassavong (Buena Vista University)
Game Changer Award (The Phil Alexander Award)
This award honors a program, individual, or team that has worked to create a more inclusive and equitable environment in esports, championing diversity and providing opportunities for underrepresented groups.
- Cacie Clifford (Ferris State University)
- Cora Kennedy (Illinois Wesleyan University)
- Sari Kitelyn (Full Sail University)
- Josh Moss (Paradise Valley Community College)
- Chase Neukam (Shenandoah University)
- Albert Rassavong (Buena Vista University)
- Courtney Wood (Behind the Joystick Podcast)
Director of the Year (2 Year)
This award recognizes an esports director for a two-year program who has shown exemplary leadership in managing a collegiate esports program. The Director of the Year has demonstrated a commitment to innovation, student success, and competitive excellence while supporting a positive and inclusive culture.
- Shaun Byrne (St. Clair College)
- Cody Dalton (Catawba Valley Community College)
- Josh Moss (Paradise Valley Community College)
Program of the Year (2 Year)
This award celebrates a two-year esports program that has achieved outstanding success in both competitive performance and community building. It highlights excellence in inclusivity, competitive achievements, and academic development.
- St. Clair College
- Catawba Valley Community College
- Paradise Valley Community College
Director of the Year (4 Year)
This award recognizes an esports director of a four-year program who has shown exemplary leadership in managing a collegiate esports program. The Director of the Year has demonstrated a commitment to innovation, student success, and competitive excellence while supporting a positive and inclusive culture.
- Michael Aguilar (University of Oklahoma)
- Dan Clerke (Maryville University)
- Kevin Craig (Stony Brook University)
- Alyssa Duran (Shenandoah University)
- Joey Gawrysiak (Syracuse University)
- Chris “Doc” Haskell (Boise State University)
- Josh Sides (Winthrop University)
Program of the Year (4 Year)
This award celebrates a four-year esports program that has achieved outstanding success in both competitive performance and community building. It highlights excellence in inclusivity, competitive achievements, and academic development.
- Arizona State University
- Concord University
- Drexel University
- Maryville University
- Minnesota State University, Mankato
- Shenandoah University
- Syracuse University
Coach of the Year
This award honors a coach who exemplifies exceptional coaching expertise, serving as both a mentor to students and a leader guiding their team to competitive success. Through their dedication, the coach supports a positive, inclusive environment that nurtures teamwork, personal growth, and competitive achievement.
- Zarin Bartholomew (St. Clair College)
- Justyce Briney (Wichita State University)
- Connor Doyle (Winthrop University)
- Shane Duncan (Davenport University)
- Gannon Nelson (Ball State University)
- Oscar Rodriguez (University of Houston)
