WTC Fiber Cup
Wildcat 91.9 FM and WTC Communications Host First Annual Esports Tournament
October 6, 2021
Wildcat 91.9 FM and telecommunications provider WTC Communications will host the first annual WTC Fiber Cup Oct. 8 - 9 at the K-State Student Union in Forum Hall. The esports tournament will consist of 32 three-person teams playing Rocket League, an arcade-style soccer game, and streamed live on Twitch. Registration is free to all K-State students.
“The first in-person event dedicated to Rocket League on the K-State campus will quickly legitimize esports and showcase a growing entertainment industry,” K-State Esports Club Team Officer Mithulan Paramanathan said.
Tournament hours are Oct. 8from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., with game play starting at 6 p.m., and Oct. 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The championship game on Oct. 9 will include a match-up of the winning student team and the K-State Esports Club team, including three of the top five Rocket League players in Kansas. The winning tournament team will receive a trophy and $150. Second place will receive a trophy and $75.
“I am very excited to see the competitors in-person and get that LAN atmosphere back at K-State,” K-State Esports Club Rocket League Group Director Chance Bryson said.
Collegiate esports leagues, clubs, teams, and tournaments are on the rise. 175 colleges and universities are now members of the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) and offer varsity esports programs with coaches and athletic scholarships. The esports industry has also seen tremendous growth according to games market insights and analytics company Newzoo, with 240 million occasional viewers, 234 million esports enthusiasts, a total esports audience of 474 million, and global esports revenues reaching $1084.1 million.
"The WTC Fiber Cup was created to encourage sports journalists and play-by-play and commentary specialists to sample the coverage of esports in order to get them ‘job ready’ when it's time to start their careers,” Professor of Practice with the A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication Ian Punnett said.
Event sponsors include Wildcat 91.9 FM, WTC Communications / Fiber Internet, K-State Esports Club, K-State Student Union Program Council, and the Kansas State Collegian.
About Wildcat 91.9 FM
Wildcat 91.9 FM is a non-profit, student-run radio station serving Kansas State University and the city of Manhattan. Wildcat 91.9 provides original and diverse programming that aims to educate and entertain its listeners. Students are provided the unique opportunity to learn professional broadcasting skills in an engaging, hands-on environment. Learn more at wildcat919.com.