Baylor to Host Texas Esports League Fall Finals, Crowning State Esports Champions

Contact: Lori Fogleman, 254-709-5959
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Baylor University will welcome the top middle- and high-school esports teams in Texas for the fall Texas Esports League Finals, an interscholastic video gaming competition presented in partnership with Baylor University, on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14-15, at the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center, 901 S. University Parks Drive.

This Texas Esports Finals event will feature intense gaming competition between more than 450 students across nearly 100 teams, who will compete in Fortnite, VALORANT, Overwatch 2, Apex Legends, League of Legends, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros, Ultimate and Chess. Middle and high school student teams from across the state have been battling for 10 weeks to reach the finals as schools vie for the title of Texas State Champion. 

The event – held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day – is open to spectators of all ages, who are encouraged to attend and support Texas’ rising esports stars as they seek to make scholastic esports history. Admission is free, but guests should register in advance online. Guests with a valid Baylor ID do not need to register. The middle school finals will be held on Saturday, while high school teams will compete on Sunday.

Growing interest in esports

The Texas Esports League is a groundbreaking initiative powered by Vanta, a leader in scholastic esports. This event showcases the incredible talent of young esports athletes while highlighting the power of esports to foster community, academic excellence and personal growth. With scholastic esports on the rise, Baylor is helping it grow in Texas through a brand partnership with Vanta.

“We are extremely excited to welcome these esports athletes to Baylor University and specifically to the technologically immersive Hurd Welcome Center, which was largely funded by the late Mark Hurd, a Baylor graduate and Regent who served as Oracle’s CEO, and his wife and current Regent Paula,” said Jason Cook, vice president for marketing and communications and chief marketing officer at Baylor. “Esports continues to expand nationally and particularly here in Texas as the level of competition increases and the gaming community continues to grow. It’s important for Baylor, as a Christian Research 1 university, to have a significant role in esports and to support these talented students and their families.”

“Vanta is proud to partner with Baylor University to bring the Texas Esports League Finals to Waco,” said Ed Lallier, cofounder and chief corporate development officer of Vanta. “This event is more than just a competition; it’s a celebration of the positive impact of esports on education and community. We can’t wait to see the incredible talent and sportsmanship on display.”

Campus tours, STEM talks and exhibitor hall

In addition to the thrilling competitions, competitors can take campus tours and visit with faculty from the STEM fields, including Daniel J. Pack, Ph.D., dean of Baylor’s School of Engineering and Computer Science, at 10 a.m. Sunday, and throughout the weekend with members of Baylor’s own esports team, OSO Esports. Food trucks from local Waco vendors will be on site for the convenience of competitors and spectators.

Attendees also can explore the exhibitor hall, which will showcase student-run groups; gaming-related local and national vendors; a free play area from local businesses Nexus and Archon; and the Coalition of Parents in Esports (COPE), a nonprofit support organization founded by Baylor alumna and parent Shae Williams.

“Watching my son go from pro gamer to pre-med biochemistry major, alongside thousands of other inspiring gamers, reveals an undeniable truth: this generation's entrepreneurial drive is revolutionary,” Williams said. “With proper guidance, gaming cultivates crucial professional skills – both technical and interpersonal – that will be vital in future careers. It's not a vice, but a powerful tool for development when channeled and supported by educators and parents.”

Javier “MonsterDFace” Collazo, a well-known Fortnite caster and commentator and CEO of Practice Server, an esports production company, also will be in attendance over the weekend offering career advice and signing autographs.

“Today's gamers aren't just playing – they're building empires,” Collazo said. “This generation is mastering digital marketing, multimedia production and professional communication while pursuing their passion. What starts as gaming often evolves into valuable business experience that translates to any career path."

For future Baylor students interested in esports

For prospective students who have an interest in creating games, Baylor’s undergraduate entrepreneurship program in the Hankamer School of Business is ranked No. 11 nationally in the latest U.S. News rankings. The program offers students a practical, well-rounded knowledge that prepares them for the diverse demands of today's competitive marketplace as well as active involvement in new and emerging ventures.

In the School of Engineering and Computer Science, Baylor’s Computer Science major includes courses that cover graphics, algorithms, networking and operating systems, which are all needed for a future in game development. Baylor offers several specific courses for game development, including Introduction to Video Game Design and Gaming Platform Frameworks. Students also can sign up for a semester-long Gaming Capstone Design Project, in which they will create their own gaming systems. 

Outside of the classroom, Baylor’s Entrepreneurship Internship Program gives students the opportunity to put classroom knowledge into action in real-world business environments while expanding their skill sets and professional relationships. Baylor computer science majors interested in game development are regularly included in professors’ gaming research and are encouraged to seek internships at game development companies, especially in the Dallas/Fort Worth and Austin areas. Students also compete in the annual Hackathon and other game development events in the Central Texas area. 

More information about the Texas Esports League Finals is available on the Vanta website. Additional information on Baylor University’s esports initiatives can be found on the Baylor website.

ABOUT VANTA

Vanta Esports is a leading provider of scholastic esports leagues, coaching, and professional development in the United States. Committed to fostering a positive and competitive environment, Vanta offers students opportunities to develop valuable skills like teamwork, communication, and critical thinking, all while pursuing their passion for gaming.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu.