A New Hub for Esports

Championship team and a competitive venue put Baylor in the center of esports growth

First-ever conference championship

In its first season of national esports competition, Baylor’s Rocket League team secured the program’s first-ever conference championship in April at the Power Esports Conference (PEC) Grand Finals, hosted at the HyperX Esports Arena in the Luxor Pyramid in Las Vegas. 

The win caps a perfect 20-0 run through PEC competition in Baylor’s inaugural season as a varsity program. 

“We are grateful to compete alongside programs who continue to raise the bar for all of us in collegiate esports,” said Adam Stanley, M.Div. ’12, Baylor’s director of esports and head coach. “This championship reflects the vision and support of our administration and institution and, above all, the hard work and commitment of our 
student-athletes who made it possible. We couldn’t ask for a better result from our collective efforts as a program in our year zero.”

Esports Capital of Texas

Baylor staked its claim as “Esports Capital of Texas” when both the Texas Scholastic Esports Federation (TexSEF) and Collegiate Esports Commissioner’s Cup (CECC) hosted championship gatherings in Waco from April 30 to May 3.

TexSEF is the hosting organization of the Undisputed Texas Esports State Championships. High school students from around the state of Texas competed on Baylor’s campus and downtown Waco, with matches split between the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center and the downtown Waco Convention Center.

CECC serves as the “May Madness” collegiate national championships, bringing 4,000-plus guests to the area. With opening ceremonies held at McLane Stadium and competitions at the Waco Convention Center, CECC welcomed collegiate competitors from across the country. 

All told, nearly 11,000 competitors, coaches, families and fans came to Waco for the doubleheader events.