Photos by Ralph Freso / Slideshow
Video games and sports spark joyful childhood memories, encourage close relationships and create community connections.
It's what happened this weekend when Grand Canyon University Esports partnered with the Arizona Cardinals and Arizona’s Children Association for a two-day Super Smash Bros. tournament. The event not only raised funds for the association but raised awareness of the challenges experienced by underprivileged youth.
Entering the video gaming tournament, which was open to the public, also meant securing a seat at the recent Cardinals versus San Francisco 49ers football game at State Farm Stadium. Arizona's Children received $20 from each ticket to support its cause.
“This is our second year with GCU and Jay (DeShong, Director of Esports Operations) and his esports team have been phenomenal,” CEO of Arizona's Children Tracy Thurston said. “We launched this with the idea that esports is really a common language that I think a lot of people can use to interact and connect with one another.”
When GCU alumnus Blake Davis, Cardinals account executive for group sales, reached out to DeShong about the philanthropic partnership, the initiative hit home for DeShong.
After his mother passed away at a young age, DeShong was adopted by his grandparents. He resonated with foster youth, and in his time as a college student, he participated in a foster students focus group that provided support and resources to be successful scholars.
“This initiative is very personal to me," DeShong said. “My sister passed two years ago because she was in that situation where her mom passed, so she was in the system. She never figured it out and ended up homeless and passed from addiction.
“To me, this is a way to keep people like my sister from falling down that path. This collaboration illustrates the power of what happens when a community, sports and esports, come together.”
The GCU Esports Arena was a full house on Saturday for the first day of the gaming tournament. Participants from all over the Valley came to compete and be a part of the charity event.
The top 16 gamers moved on to the big stage at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, where they battled for a chance to win a championship belt, specially designed by GCU’s design agency, Canyon Creative; game controllers; and footballs autographed by Cardinals players.
“Being back at GCU and being able to associate my job with my school is amazing,” Davis said. “Jay brought up the idea of connecting with Arizona's Children and we (Cardinals) thought it would be a great idea, not only to have a sports tournament, but be able to give back to a great cause. It is an awesome experience.”
The launch of the tournament was made even more special when Cardinals mascot Big Red visited the GCU Esports Arena to interact with friends and families. Children’s heads turned instantly, quickly getting distracted from their games for photo opportunities.
The best part was he did not come alone.
Cardinals running back Jermar Jefferson and linebacker Jared Bartlett and former 49ers linebacker Marcell Harris made special appearances to support the cause.
They gifted autographed footballs and jerseys, joined in on the fun with tournament participants and shared their personal stories on how the support of strong community in sports and gaming impacted their childhood.
Harris shared the unfortunate circumstances he encountered growing up, but watching his mom selflessly serve the community ignited a giving heart in him and motivated him to do the same at a young age.
“I wanted to see how I can give back to the community so I started my own foundation, the Get Right program, a free camp for kids. But I wanted to see how I can grow that bigger. I met with Jim (Van Wicklin, senior director of development and marketing for Arizona's Children) and Tracy (Thurston), sharing my ideas with them. They told me they have this event coming up and to come.
“With gaming, it is a community. On the headset, you've always got a friend to game with, and you can meet people in different countries. It is giving kids the perspective like this person is all the way here, but he is my buddy, and it’s making family and friends in different avenues of life.”
GCU staff writer Izabela Fogarasi can be reached at [email protected]
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