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KANSAS CITY, MO (March 2, 2018) –The National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) has signed a partnership agreement with the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), the governing body of athletics for 500 two-year colleges and universities in the U.S.

The partnership with the NJCAA recognizes NACE as the governing body of collegiate esports and marks the second endorsement by a traditional governing body of collegiate athletics. The first was from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the governing body of small athletics programs with 250 college and university members.

“The needs and challenges that exist in collegiate esports are the same for two and four year institutions,” said Michael Brooks, NACE Executive Director. “The partnership with NJCAA will allow NACE to provide support and resources to two year institutions with an interest in offering esports.”

Collegiate esports continues to grow nationally, with 71 institutions currently offering varsity esports programs.

“Recognition from the NJCAA and the NAIA illustrates that support for esports is growing at all levels,” said Brooks. “It’s a challenge for many institutions to incorporate esports into their current governance structures, but these endorsements show a desire for esports to mature and find its place in intercollegiate competition.”

“The NJCAA is proud to promote the exposure of esports with the National Association of Collegiate Esports. This partnership truly shows the NJCAA’s willingness to adapt to the future and help create new opportunities to suit our potential student-athletes,” said Christopher Parker, NJCAA Executive Director.

For more information about this partnership, contact Michael Brooks at mbrooks@nacesports.org.

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The National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) is a nonprofit membership association organized by and on behalf of our member institutions and is the only governing body of college esports in North America. Together, our members are developing the structure and tools needed to advance collegiate esports in the varsity space. We are collaborating to lay the groundwork in areas such as: eligibility, path to graduation, program resources, coaches’ training, competition and scholarships. NACE currently has 71 varsity esports programs as members, accounting for nearly all (94%) varsity programs across North America.

About the NJCAA

Since 1938, the NJCAA has served as the nation’s premier governing body for two-year collegiate athletics, providing student-athletes opportunities to PREPARE, COMPETE, SUCCEED and ACHIEVE in their academic and athletic disciplines. The NJCAA is the second-largest national intercollegiate athletic organization in the United States with over 500 member schools in 42 states. Each year over 3,400 teams compete in 25 different sports across multiple divisions in the NJCAA and the organization sponsors 47 national championship events and nine football bowl games. For more information please visit njcaa.org.