Welcome to the 2018 Fiesta Bowl Overwatch Collegiate National Championship

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2 Welcome to the 2018 Fiesta Bowl Overwatch Collegiate National Championship Beginning at 2:00 p.m. MST on Saturday, February 17, live from Arizona State University, the top four college Overwatch teams in North America will compete in the Fiesta Bowl Overwatch Collegiate National Championship, the finale of the Tespa Collegiate Series Overwatch season, and a share of the $120,000 scholarship prize pool. Blizzard Entertainment, Tespa, and the Fiesta Bowl are creating a first-of-its-kind esports partnership between a college football bowl organization and a game publisher to bring you this epic top four national championship. Battling through a season-long collegiate competition featuring 318 schools, four teams have advanced to the Fiesta Bowl Overwatch Collegiate National Championship. The defending champions, University of California Berkeley; last year s runner-up, University of Toronto; University of California Irvine; and University of California San Diego have emerged as the top dogs after uphill battles through the national playoff. Alongside these four teams, the championship event will feature a marquee college sports rivalry with Arizona State University facing off against the University of Arizona in a thrilling showmatch. WHEN Saturday, February 17th 2:00 p.m. MST WHERE Event Location: Arizona State University, Sun Devil Fitness Complex (400 E Apache Blvd Tempe, AZ 85287) Live on Twitch: Live on MLG: SEMI-FINALS SCHEDULE University of California Irvine vs. University of California San Diego 3:00 p.m. MST University of Toronto vs. University of California Berkeley 4:30 p.m. MST Arizona State University vs. University of Arizona 6:00 p.m. MST Fiesta Bowl Overwatch Collegiate National Championship, Grand Finals 7:00 p.m. MST PHOTOGRAPHY Photos will be available throughout the national championship at blizzard.gamespress.com/esports-tespa

3 KEY TEAM DETAILS UC Irvine: UC Irvine is among the first universities in North America to build a scholarship program around esports. This is the first year that they are supporting an Overwatch team within their esports program. With high expectations, they have sailed into the championships undefeated, only dropping three maps the entire way one of which was to their semifinal opponent, UC San Diego. UC Berkeley: UC Berkeley, also referred to as Cal, is the reigning champion, having won the firstever Collegiate Overwatch National Championship in While the team was dominant last year, it hasn t been an easy return trip for the Berkeley squad this time around. Cal has suffered roster losses, as half of the players from the championship squad have graduated or otherwise left the team. With a new roster in tow, Cal looks to defend its title and claim the throne for a 2 nd year in a row. University of Toronto: Dubbed the Kings of the North the past two years, Toronto steamrolled every other team in their region to make it to the playoffs, while also defeating a top team in University of California Davis, to qualify for the live event. Having lost 3-0 to UC Berkeley in the finals of last year s national championship, Toronto is looking to reverse history in this year s semifinal matchup. UC San Diego: The perennial dark horse, UC San Diego has always been close to success but has never taken home a title. During the spring season, the finished in 2 nd place, losing in five games to UC Berkeley. In the summer tournament, they finished second behind UC Irvine. This UC San Diego team heads to Arizona hoping the third time will be the charm. TESPA COLLEGIATE SERIES OVERWATCH FACTS & FIGURES Past Overwatch National Champions: UC Berkeley (2017) Prize pool: $122,500 in tuition scholarships This partnership between Blizzard Entertainment and the Fiesta Bowl is the first of its kind. It marks the first time a college football bowl organization has partnered to run an esports tournament Tespa Collegiate Series Overwatch 2018 season featured 1,196 total matches Universities could field one team per school in the main tournament, with additional teams playing in the open signup bracket 3,413 students across North America competed in Tespa Overwatch tournaments this past fall Each one of the top four teams has played a total of 16 matches to reach the National Championship

4 MEDIA CONTACTS David Gordon Blizzard Entertainment PR Manager, Esports Scott Leightman Fiesta Bowl Senior Director of Communications Cassandra Reynoso Blizzard Entertainment PR Coordinator, Esports Jackie Hobson Fiesta Bowl Communications Coordinator Full Fiesta Bowl press release: Tespa Collegiate Series Overwatch tournament page: To learn more about Overwatch, visit: Website: To learn more about Tespa, visit: Website: To learn more about Fiesta Bowl, visit: Website:

5 University of California - Irvine UCI Esports 16W - 0L #1 West Seed #1 National Seed With UCI Esports supporting Overwatch for the very first year, UCI Esports management crafted this fresh roster to conquer the collegiate Overwatch scene. They attribute their success to their practice with Overwatch Contenders teams and the massive amount of Korean BBQ they have consumed. Recruited from a local community college, team leaders Baerod and learntooplay hope to guide the team to UCI Esports first ever college championship victory.

6 University of California - Irvine UCI Esports 16W - 0L #1 West Seed #1 National Seed

7 University of California - San Diego Defenders of Geisel 14W - 2L #2 West Seed #4 National Seed As one of the first Tespa Chapters in existence, UC San Diego s student gaming organization, Triton Gaming, strives to foster the best environment for their competitive esports teams. After hosting last year s Collegiate Overwatch National Championship at their annual Winter Gamefest, UC San Diego aimed to be more than spectators by reaching the finals for themselves. The Defenders of Geisel, founded by an officer of Triton Gaming, Jinora, a multi-esport competitor, Schooled, and their team manager, Ming, now aim to bring the Overwatch trophy back home to San Diego.

8 University of California - San Diego Defenders of Geisel 14W - 2L #2 West Seed #4 National Seed

9 University of California - Berkeley Cal 14W - 2L #3 West Seed #2 National Seed The defending champions from the first Overwatch National Championships return once again to fight for the title. The team is led by veterans, Alined, Syeikh, and Slurpeethief, who want to share the glory of victory with their new teammates this year. Widely considered the most innovative team in the entire collegiate scene, Cal is always finding new ways to use underutilized heroes to throw opponents off their game.

10 University of California - Berkeley Cal 14W - 2L #3 West Seed #2 National Seed

11 University of Toronto Lowlifes 15W - 1L #1 North Seed #3 National Seed The Kings of the North, University of Toronto are huge fan favorites within the college scene. Veterans Renanthera, Dimes, and Funanah will be returning to the Overwatch college stage for a 2 nd year. The team has a lot of experience within competitive Overwatch, with many members having played for semipro teams. Their former main tank currently works for the Boston Uprising as an analyst, and many of the Toronto players have similar aspirations to work in the Overwatch League. To them, winning the championship could be the springboard they need to make it in the Overwatch pro scene.

12 University of Toronto Lowlifes 15W - 1L #1 North Seed #3 National Seed