Traditional Sports and Esports Collide: PlayVS and Colt McCoy Team Up to Host EA Sports College Football 25 Tournament Ahead of the Red River Showdown

DALLAS (October 11, 2024) — PlayVS is extending the excitement of the Red River Showdown to the digital gridiron. The scholastic esports platform is teaming up with football star and University of Texas alumnus Colt McCoy to host an official EA Sports College Football 25 tournament and pep rally for students in the Garland Independent School District (ISD), kicking off a great weekend of football.

The event will take place on October 11, with PlayVS hosting students bringing together the Garland ISD community for an action-packed afternoon of gaming competition. The event begins with a College Football 25 tournament featuring athletes from local high schools such as Rowlett High, with members from both esports and traditional sports teams competing against one another. The winner of the tournament will receive two tickets to the Red River Rivalry game along with signed memorabilia from Colt McCoy.

Following the tournament, McCoy will take the stage for a Q&A session to connect with attendees and share insights from his experiences in both collegiate and professional sports, as well as esports.

“I’m thrilled to team up with PlayVs and be part of this great event. It’s very cool to see how passionate these students are about esports,” said Colt McCoy. “And it’s great to see esports providing opportunities for students to connect, compete, and build valuable skills for the future.”

Competitive gaming has rapidly gained traction in high schools over the past decade, offering students a more organized and effective way to play the games they love. PlayVS’ 2024 Scholastic Esports Impact Report found that esports enhance student mental health, build teamwork and leadership skills, boost academic performance, and increase school attendance. In fact, 85% of coaches have seen improvement in communication skills and 83% of coaches agree that their players have improved their leadership skills as a result of esports.

Because of this, PlayVS is committed to increasing accessibility for all students so they can compete, develop life skills, and foster a sense of community. For many players, esports is now providing opportunities to secure scholarships at the collegiate level. That’s why it's so important for PlayVS to host events like this tournament and engage students in unique and meaningful ways.

“We’re excited to host this event and celebrate the growing esports community at the high school level,” said Jon Chapman, CEO of PlayVS. “Colt is a huge advocate of gaming, and together we’re able to empower the next generation of competitors. This event reflects our commitment to growing the esports community and supporting students to thrive both in and out of the game. We’re excited to have Colt join us to create an unforgettable experience for the students, showing just how impactful and competitive esports can be.”

Event Details:

• Location: 4885 N President George Bush Hwy, Garland, TX 75040
• Time: 3:30pm CST
  Highlights:
• College Football 25 tournament featuring local high school students
• Q&A session with Colt McCoy