By Alex Wilson,
                                                									August 26, 2021
                                             
                                                
                                                
A University of Central Missouri senior computer science major from Centerview, Luke
                                                      Krewson, left, recently participated in the UCM Esports signing event with team Head
                                                      Coach Steve Shattuck. The team is coordinating a tournament in cooperation with the
                                                      Army National Guard  and Central Missouri Intramurals on Sept. 1. (UCM Esports Photo
                                                      by Kordell Ballard)
                                                
                                                WARRENSBURG, MO – UCM Esports, a competitive gaming team at the University of Central
                                                   Missouri that continues to grow in popularity since its inception in 2019, will conduct
                                                   a Super Smash Bros Ultimate Tournament from 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday,  Sept. 1. The
                                                   tournament is being coordinated in cooperation with the United States Army National
                                                   Guard and Central Missouri Intramurals and will feature a total prize pool of $1,500
                                                   for top participants.
The event takes place at the UCM Student Recreation and Wellness Center, and will
                                                   follow a one-versus-one double-elimination format. It is open to high school, college
                                                   and alumni-level competitors, and there is no entry fee for the tournament, but competitors
                                                   must register online by 4:59 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31. The  asks competitors to provide their email, name, gamer tag and school ID, if applicable.
Additionally, participants who bring a competition-ready gaming set-up consisting
                                                   of a Nintendo Switch, power adapter, Super Smash Bros Ultimate with all downloadable
                                                   content and an optional GameCube controller adapter will be awarded a free gift at
                                                   the event.
The UCM Esports team was founded in response to electronic gaming as the fastest growing
                                                   sport. UCM Esports, similar to other collegiate sports, rewards team members with
                                                   experience, opportunities and scholarships. 
UCM Esports recently finished registration for the fall 2021 semester, awarding $500
                                                   scholarships to team members. It currently features six different games in which students
                                                   compete, Overwatch, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Rainbow Six Siege, NBA
                                                   2k21, and Hearthstone.
For more information about UCM Esports, contact UCM Esports Head Coach Steve Shattuck
                                                   via email at ucmesports@ucmo.edu. To register for the Super Smash Bros Ultimate tournament, complete the. To withdraw from the tournament, participants must contact UCM Esports via email
                                                   before the event.