Following its first announcement of competition in May, George Mason University has won the first Aurora Series season of Overwatch.
The season, which began at the beginning of the Fall semester and culminated in early December, saw Overwatch teams composed of women and those of marginalized genders facing off weekly for a chance at the season title.
The two teams battling in the grand finals were George Mason University (GMU) Aurora and Illinois State University (ISU) Redbird Ravens, who had faced off previously in the playoff bracket. GMU had taken the previous matchup 2-0, leaving the Redbird Ravens with a score to settle in this Grand Finals grudge match.
In a sweeping series, GMU Aurora took a 3-0 victory on Lijiang Tower, Rialto, and Eichenwalde, reasserting their dominance over the inaugural Aurora Series bracket and taking home the team’s win.
This win highlights a landmark moment in both collegiate Overwatch, but also in GMU Esports history. The groundbreaking all-women and marginalized genders GMU Esports Overwatch team clinched the inaugural Aurora Series Overwatch title. This is the first time a team like this has existed in GMU’s history.
“Marginalized esports programs are a great way to build community and people similar to yourself and interested in the same activity,” said Declan Redmond, captain and tank player for GMU Overwatch, “It builds friendships and community. Aurora presented the opportunity to build a community locally with familiar and new faces alike.“
The Aurora Series also gave GMU the chance to connect with more than just the players at their university. It provides teams a way to connect with those at other colleges by creating teams that make up multiple universities. GMU took this moment to partner with the Northern Virginia Community College Nighthawks, a friend and rival located just 10 minutes from their Fairfax campus. This partnership connected those at the two-year college level to those in a four-year university, allowing the students to have a unique and uniting college experience.
Declan themself came from NVCC to GMU to complete their bachelor’s degree.
“I used to go to and play for NVCC like many others currently at GMU. It was fantastic to work together, as NVCC has always been closely tied to GMU be it physically or student population. I hope for similar cooperation between our schools whether it be mixed teams or events, it serves as a way to grow both of our communities.”
This combined team also bridged the gap for more NVCC students to get a taste of GMU’s esports program for their own college esports adventures.
Kayla (Kaicicle) was one of the NVCC students who benefitted from this partnership, playing flex DPS for the GMU Aurora team.
“I’m one of the two NVCC students who played this season for GMU Aurora. I had always planned to go to GMU after I finished my prerequisites and it will be my choice in a year after I finish the nursing program at NVCC. Esports was the catalyst of where I was able to connect with other like-minded people and to re-engage me in competing in Overwatch.”
For both students, having a league like Aurora was instrumental in forming their esports experience. Both had played on a Calling All Heroes team prior to competing in the Aurora Series, which allowed them to compete on the Tier 3 level of Overwatch.
“CAH and Aurora [Series] are very important in highlighting players that may not have the opportunities due to their gender or who they are in the path to pro,” said Kayla, “These spaces are important for facilitating communities of supportive and positive people to uplift and bring talent that can potentially shine or show themselves in the main circuits.”
The team will now head into their winter break on a victorious note, taking home some special Logitech gear as a reward for their victory. It wasn’t just the physical prize that was important to the team, but the bonds and connections they formed along the way.
“Competition is everything to me, and to be able to compete in a friendly, safe environment is an opportunity I am very thankful for,” Declan concluded.Kayla agreed.
“ I have [a] love for playing matches and Overwatch itself, so every match was very fun to attend, even after VERY long days sometimes. I would gladly do it again. Winning a series or a title is a very special feeling, regardless of competition.”
The Aurora Series recently hosted their first ever LAN at Fragadelphia Kansas City. Fisher College, Siena Heights University, University of North Texas, and St. Clair College represented women’s and marginalized gender’s VALORANT in style in Kansas City. The Fisher College Fumblers took home the gold with a 2-0 map win against Siena Heights University on the big stage.
The Aurora Series is wrapping up for this semester, but is ready to keep the action going in spring! GMU and Fisher will look to maintain their Overwatch and VALORANT titles respectively. Only time will tell who will try to take the crown!
