满帆大学 was proud to be the host site for the 2022 Special Olympics USA 游戏 Unified 的电子竞技 Invitational, as a part of the 2022 USA Special Olympic 游戏 in Orlando. The Special Olympics' first-ever esports exhibition was produced by 满帆 at the 满帆大学 Orlando Health Fortress and broadcast on ESPN3. The event invited Special Olympians from throughout the state to play live in the Fortress against teams competing online from organizations and schools from around the country.

Armada athlete Tyler “Slinkie” Johnson and the rest of the Florida Grey team during the 火箭联盟 比赛.

The bracket saw 14 teams compete in a best-of-five 火箭联盟 比赛, with six Florida-based teams playing in person on 满帆’s campus. 在线 teams joined from Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania.

On-campus Special Olympians were paired with unified partners – individuals without intellectual disabilities – from 满帆 Armada’s varsity teams and leadership including Armada Student President Kevin “Kevurnio” Patel and athletes Tyler “Slinkie” Johnson and Seth “Skitlz” Hoecker. 在一起, teams hit the stage and went head-to-head in the accessible and exciting esports game that features soccer played with rocket-powered cars.

“I think esports is a great addition to the Special Olympics because it's an even playing field for everyone and gives athletes a chance to have some fun and experience competitive gameplay,Armada电子竞技策略师说, Bennett 新闻ome who worked with the team at Special Olympics to bring virtual gameplay to Olympic competitors.

Players from Florida’s Green team competing on the main stage during the 2022 Special Olympics Unified 体育 exhibition.

The culmination of a three-year effort to bring esports to Special Olympics, the day was full of energized and friendly competition, as the athletes engaged in matches play while getting to enjoy the full experience of playing in a large-scale venue complete with lights, 音乐, and a crowd of cheering fans that included their coaches, 家庭, 和朋友.

“One of my favorite things about the Fortress is that it gives spectators an experience unlike anything they've experienced before, making it a perfect arena to introduce esports to the Special Olympics,贝内特说。. “It truly provides the athletes an authentic main-stage esports experience.”

满帆 students Quinnn “Qolorblind” Sherr and Bryan “Bryonic” Flores casting from the 满帆大学 Orlando Health Fortress during the show.

另外, 满帆大学 students and grads were involved in the live broadcast in roles like event production, 赛事组织, 而且是上镜的天才. 全帆铸造 运动比赛转播 student Quinn “Qolorblind” Sherr and 运动比赛转播 grad and current 娱乐商务硕士 student Bryan “Bryonic” Flores, the event had a special meaning for Quinn. “This really meant the world to me; my sister is special needs so it hits so close to home,” he says. “And to have this opportunity this early into my career as well, it’s a blessing.”

A monumental first-time addition to the Special Olympics USA 游戏, esports proved an exciting and fun-filled competitive space for players with intellectual or physical disabilities.