Esports to join New England Collegiate Conference as associate member

Haverhill, MA (Aug 11, 2020) – The Northern Essex Community College Esports team has announced it will join the New England Collegiate Conference as an associate member beginning with the 2020-21 academic year, while maintaining its full-time membership with the National Junior College Athletic Association esports, where it claimed two national championships this past spring.

The New England Collegiate Conference is a conference of seven four year institutions with full-time members in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire. The league will feature many of the same game titles that the Knights are currently playing as members of the NJCAA, but with expanded recruitment opportunities for students, to continue their academic and Esports collegiate careers after completing their studies at Northern Essex. The league is expected to feature nine associate members for the upcoming season and provide additional opportunities for Knights Esports athletes.

"I'd like to thank NECC Commissioner Jacob VanRyn for reaching out and offering associate membership to our program. The NECC has big plans for Esports and were excited to be a part of it," stated NECC Athletic Director Dan Blair.

Earlier this summer, the NECC announced partnerships with ESTV and the NFL Alumni Association to help promote the league's esports efforts. The partnership with ESTV includes league and championship play on the channel. ESTV will not only be showing game play from the NECC throughout the upcoming year, the channel will also provide the content in an 'on-demand' stream that can be accessed at any time. ESTV currently can be seen in more than 200 million homes nationwide. The partnership with the NFLA is a partnership in which the two entities will work together in promotional efforts and opportunities for the league's players.

"We're excited to be a part of this new league and the opportunities it will provide our players while they are at Northern Essex and the doors it can open for them when they complete their studies," added Knights coach David Arivella

ABOUT NECC ESPORTS
The NECC announced its intention to sponsor esports in the fall of 2019. Recognizing the growing marketplace, the conference is committed to sponsoring esports in a manner that is similar to any of its other traditional sports. The NECC will begin play in the fall of 2020 and is planning on sponsoring regular season play and championships in a wide variety of titles. The conference will include members from a wide variety of schools at all levels, and aims to provide its players with a highly-competitive and enjoyable experience. 

Northern Essex Community College competes as a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and sponsors 12 varsity intercollegiate sports including baseball, men's basketball, women's basketball, softball, women's volleyball, men's and women's cross country, men's soccer, Esports and men's and women's track and field. For more information on Northern Essex Community College Athletics please visit the official website of Northern Essex Athletics (www.neccknights.com)