South Bend Regional Chamber Of Commerce: Esports Bendix Arena To Be Site Of CENC Midwest Region Invitational This Weekend

Press release from the South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce:

October 5, 2021

The Road to CENC 2022 begins this fall as Collegiate Sports Management Group (CSMG) plays host to the CENC Midwest Region Invitational presented by US Army ROTC at the new esports complex, Bendix Arena in South Bend, Indiana from October 8-10, 2021. The Midwest Regional is the first of six regional invitationals CSMG will be hosting on the way to the Collegiate Esports Nationals in May 2022.

CSMG is proud to help launch the Bendix Arena, a first-in-class esports-dedicated facility in the Midwest. The mega event will feature collegiate teams competing in Rocket League and Overwatch for regional supremacy and to qualify for CSMG’s Nationals in May. Bethel University is serving as the event host as they seek to defend their “home arena advantage”. In addition, the weekend festivities will include open play tournaments in Madden, Knockout City, and SuperSmash Bros. Scholarships and prizes will be awarded for the winning teams/gamers. Local high school players and teams will also have a chance to showcase their skills in front of the college coaches in several showcase events.

CSMG will also be hosting several educational panels including Mark "Garvey" Candella , Director of Student and Education Programs at Twitch speaking about the gaming industry and culture. A Master Sergeant from the U.S. Army ROTC will provide insights into the ROTC programs at high schools in the area and the benefits from being a part of such a distinguished organization.

“As the weekend approaches, the entire team at CSMG is excited to bring this inaugural LAN collegiate esports event to the Bendix Arena. With gaming and activities for the whole family, the CENC Midwest Region Invitational presented by US Army ROTC will be a great way for gamers and their families to become fully immersed in the world of collegiate esports,” said Neil Malvone, Chief Esports Officer and EVP Partnerships at CSMG. Malvone added, “South Bend will benefit greatly with new job opportunities, visitor spending, and out-of-market attendees”.

The CENC Midwest Region Invitational will bring 8 schools from across the Midwest region to compete in Overwatch and Rocket League. The winners will automatically qualify for CENC 2022, the national championship for collegiate esports. This past spring CSMG hosted the inaugural Collegiate Esports Nationals to critical success. CENC 2022 is already on target to be bigger and better. To get to CENC 2022, schools must navigate the 6 regionals to be scheduled throughout the 2021-2022 academic year.

The Invitational will be broadcast across multiple Twitch channels and simulcast on Esports Television (ESTV), the first 24/7 live linear video channel dedicated to esports reaching 60M+ households.

Click here for tickets.

This press release was produced by the South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.