Launches JCSU Esports Commemorative Classic
FEBRUARY 19, 2024/CHARLOTTE, N.C.— The first football meeting of two Historically Black Colleges (HBCUs) was held on December 27, 1892, between Livingstone College (LC) and Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU), which was known then as Biddle College. Almost 132 years later, the rivalry between these two institutions remains formidable to this day. JCSU won the first HBCU football game in 1892.
To continue this rival legacy, the Esports Clubs at both JCSU and LC, will converge on the electronic gridiron in the inaugural JCSU Esports Commemorative Classic on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024.
The two schools will compete on NBA 2K 2024, a highly popular video game on most HBCU campuses.
“During Black History Month, let us highlight the JCSU Esports NBA2K Team as we prepare for the Commemorative Classic matchup against Livingstone College,” said Willie Johnson, Esports NBA 2K team leader. “This is so cool, to see an idea brought to life that could help shape JCSU gaming for the better, it is unbelievable. I love basketball and gaming.”
In 2020, JCSU became the first HBCU to offer an Esports and Gaming Trifecta: an Esports and Gaming Management academic program, an Esports Lab and a highly competitive Esports Club. There are now more than 60 HBCUs that offer an on-campus esports presence: academic program, lab and/or club.
Livingstone College is one of the HBCUs that has continued to grow its Esports endeavors over the past few years. Considering the magnitude of the historic rivalry between JCSU and Livingstone College, as well as the collective Esports fan base that both teams have garnered throughout the nation, the HBCU Esports Commemorative Classic will provide a phenomenal opportunity for all HBCUs to celebrate the advancement of Esports on their campuses during Black History Month!
“We are always elated to collaborate with our HBCU partners to cultivate experiential learning experiences for our gamer-scholars that will enable them to connect their passions for Esports and Gaming with career pathways that extend beyond their controllers,” said Dr. BerNadette Lawson-Williams, Founder/Coordinator of JCSU’s Esports and Gaming Trifecta. “However, the history of our rivalry with Livingstone College heightens the excitement of this competition.”
“I continue to be grateful and thankful to see our program, curriculum, teams and gameplay being recognized and supported by our growing list of industry partners, government and fellow collegiate programs,” added Professor John Cash. “In addition, to date, 10 leading Esports and Gaming industry guest speakers have shared their time and insights with our students.”
JCSU’s history with NBA 2K dates to 2021, when the Hornets Venom, Charlotte Hornets’ official NBA 2K team, donated $10,000 to a student enrolled in JCSU’s Esports and Gaming Management program. In April 2022, JCSU Esports Club’s NBA 2K team made history when it became the first university Esports team to scrimmage against an NBA2K team, in this case the Hornets Venom.
Later that year, in October 2022, JCSU’s Esports and Gaming Trifecta hosted NBA 2K League executives on campus to provide insight on the organization, the business of Esports and Esports and Gaming career pathways.
In March 2023, the Hornets Venom again provided financial support to JCSU’s Esports and Gaming Trifecta by donating a $10,000 scholarship award that benefited all JCSU gamer-scholars and the program.
“I look forward to facing Livingstone and being part of history with my teammates in each of our own ways,” said Johnson. “Johnson C. Smith University Esports is on the rise in gaming, with new ideas and bigger dreams and goals to conquer, and I am glad to be a part of it.”
