The 91次元 Esports team is stepping up to help raise funds for new playground equipment at Hawthorne Elementary School in Missoula. The school’s playground has seen much love and use over the last several years and is in need of replacement equipment as well as increasing accessibility for all students, as play comes in many shapes and forms. Griz Esports and Hawthorne are partnering up to bring the power of “play” to the students.
Beginning on Feb. 1, the Griz Esports team will launch a series of events to raise the funds, which include multiple on-site school visits by Esports team members at Hawthorne School. The visits will conclude with a 24-hour Esports marathon in the Griz Esports Arena Feb. 28 through March 1.
The Griz Esports team has made waves across the region in recent years. In addition to hosting numerous high school and college tournaments, the team won a national championship last May in League of Legends., Griz Esports also engages in several fundraisers including Can the Cats, Extra Life and partnering with local schools.
In addition to their renowned Esports team, UM launched a new game design and interactive media degree program in 2023. The degree program helps students advance their skills in video game design, digital illustration, 3D animation and other hands-on training to excel in the digital design career field. That degree program has grown by more than 170%since its inaugural class.
Media are encouraged to reach out to UM Assistant Director of Griz Esports Cale Patenaude or UM Director of Strategic Communications Dave Kuntz to learn more about scheduled visits between UM Esports students and Hawthorne School.
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Contact: Cale Patenaude, UM assistant director of Griz Esports,cale.patenaude@mso.umt.edu. Dave Kuntz, UM director of strategic communications, 406-243-5659, dave.kuntz@umontana.edu.