Inaugural Scholastic Esports Awards Recognize Winthrop University Esports Leaders

January 14, 2025

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Winthrop University took home two awards: Director Josh Sides was named Director of the Year, while senior computer science major Connor “Artemis” Doyle, who leads the League of Legends team, won Coach of the Year.
  • This comes on the heels of Winthrop’s Super Smash Bros. Ultimate team capturing the Luminosity 2025 Collegiate Crews Championship, adding to its already impressive victories.

ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Winthrop University’s esports rosters continue making headlines across the nation.

At January’s inaugural Scholastic Esports Awards, Winthrop took home two awards: Director Josh Sides was named Director of the Year, while senior computer science major Connor “Artemis” Doyle, who leads the League of Legends team, won Coach of the Year.

“Josh is a transformative leader, not just for collegiate, but esports as a whole,” said Athletic Director Chuck Rey. “He does it the right way, for the right reasons, and we are fortunate to have him lead at Winthrop! This is a well-deserved recognition. We’re also proud of Connor for the leadership he has demonstrated. It’s an incredible honor that Winthrop’s esports leaders were recognized for their contributions to competitive gaming.”

The Scholastic Esports Awards brings coaches, directors, administrators and students together to honor greatness in achievements, academics and advancement in competitive gaming.

This comes on the heels of Winthrop’s Super Smash Bros. Ultimate team capturing the Luminosity 2025 Collegiate Crews Championship, adding to its already impressive victories.

Since September 2024, Winthrop’s esports teams, which include League of Legends, Valorant, Super Smash Bros and Overwatch, have captured the following respective titles:

*The Overwatch and Valorant teams took a championship each at DreamHack, held Oct. 4-6 in Atlanta, Georgia, defeating 17 other teams. This was the Valorant team’s second consecutive year winning this championship.

*The League of Legends team won the HUE Fest National Tournament for the second year in a row, defeating Ole Miss in the Grand Finals during the Sept. 15-17 tournament at Harrisburg University.

*The Super Smash Bros. team won Riptide’s Collegiate 4x4 Crews National Tournament at Michigan State University Sept. 7-8.

For more information on Winthrop’s esports program, please visit www.winthrop.edu/esports or contact Nicole Chisari, social media manager, at 803/323-2403 or e-mail chisarin@winthrop.edu.

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