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‘A rewarding feeling’ – Observer-Reporter

/Uncategorized South Fayette Unified Esports Team wins regional title 1 / 3 Celebrating their championship are Team Green members, from left, Miguel Persichetti, Nathan Lyons, Cameron Diehl and Cole Chichester. Courtesy of the South Fayette School District 2 / 3 South Fayette High School’s Team Green […]

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South Fayette Unified Esports Team wins regional title

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Celebrating their championship are Team Green members, from left, Miguel Persichetti, Nathan Lyons, Cameron Diehl and Cole Chichester.

Courtesy of the South Fayette School District

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South Fayette High School’s Team Green won the Eastern United States Region Unified Esports championship. Team members are, from left, Miguel Persichetti, Nathan Lyons, Cole Chichester and Cameron Diehl.

Courtesy of the South Fayette School District

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Members of South Fayette High School’s two esports teams

Courtesy of the South Fayette School District
















South Fayette High School has become known for its championship teams with multiple WPIAL titles in football and girls basketball, along with a state boys basketball title in 2010 and a state girls basketball championship this year.

Add another championship to the list – unified esports, whose team members composed of both neurotypical and neurodiverse students (those with special needs) compete using video games.

The new Unified Esports Team Green – made up of Miguel Persechetti, Nathan Snyder, Cole Chichester and Cameron Diehl – recently won the championship of the Eastern United States Region, only the second region in the nation to offer unified esports. Team Green amassed a 7-1 record in Mario Kart before moving on to the postseason to capture the championship by a narrow 2-1 victory.

“That’s the idea of unified – bringing those kids together to be able to work together on these teams,” said Dr. Kevin Maurer, esports program director. “That’s the best part. Seeing the mentorship and peer connection that’s happening that otherwise wouldn’t. Students dealing with any type of disability, we check it at the door and those students are just able to be players of the game just like anyone else. We are so proud of the team. They were one team of 37 unified Mario Kart teams across the Eastern United States Region competing in the Special Olympics League.”

South Fayette is in a league that is the first of its kind in Pennsylvania and includes students from Freeport, Fox Chapel, Pittsburgh Public Schools and Beaver. Funding through a Moonshot Grant from the Grable Foundation was integral in starting the program. Moonshot Grants typically fund research or innovation designed to tackle ambitious and potentially transformative goals.

The team competes in a state-of-the-art esports arena at the high school. Students are involved in the promotion, live-streaming and announcing aspects of the sports. There also is an arena in the middle school.

“In addition to our high school teams and our middle school teams participating in the PIEA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Esports Association), we added a Unified Esports team,” Maurer said. “We are the first teams in Pennsylvania to be competing through the Special Olympics in Unified Sports.”

South Fayette High School has two esports teams. Team White is composed of Cole Froelich, Pranav Mantraratnam, Milan Gupta, JR Wolski and Shivanshu De.

Esports is the third unified sport in the district, along with bocce and robotics.

“What’s wonderful about this whole season was that you had students who may never have crossed paths working together on a team,” Maurer said. “Watching the nurturing of the students, who are mentoring each other, the teamwork that goes into it, the sportsmanship, all of those things you see in traditional sports, we observe through this kind of future focus sport.”

Stacey Barth, one of the coaches, spoke with pride about the team’s accomplishments.

“They did such a great job this year, being the first year that we participated in this,” she said. “They really came together as a team. They got along and worked so well together.”

Snyder, a junior, wasn’t even aware of the team when asked by Persechetti to participate.

“I had no real expectations going into this,” he said. “I thought it was something fun to be doing after school and I would meet some new people. We just kept winning. I think we improved over time. … It’s a really rewarding feeling to actually be good at something.”

He’s also benefited from being part of the team.

“Connections, that’s the whole thing,” Snyder said. “I already played a lot of video games as a kid and I feel like I was able to use some of that to make some new friendships. I’ve always been kind of shy in making connections. Getting thrown into esports, it was kind of awkward. But I feel like I was able to work on communication a lot. I just got to talk to more people, and I feel like that was one of the most rewarding things esports gave to me.”

Persechetti, 18, agreed.

“I definitely learned to talk with people better and how to communicate with a team,” said the senior. “I also learned how to strategize in order to play better.”

Persechetti took on the role of team leader, making sure teammates were calm in stressful situations and were in the right mindset for the competition.

“He made sure that he was always keeping the rest of the team upbeat, even if they were getting a little down sometimes,” Barth said. “He always got them back on track.”

Persichetti enjoyed the experience and winning a championship.

“Being able to win was pretty gratifying since we were unsure we were going to win while we were playing. It was pretty close,” Persechetti said.

Esports have grown in popularity collegiately, transforming from niche campus clubs into a significant component of college athletics. Scholarships are available at some colleges for esports participants. Class of 2024 seniors Lincoln George and Luke MacIntosh were the first South Fayette players to receive collegiate esports offers and scholarships. Macintosh is now a member of the Robert Morris University esports team.

“In the future we’re looking forward to having even more teams,” Maurer said. “We’re excited to have some all girl teams as well. It matches up with our district vision. We want to look at future focus programs, student-centered and inclusive. This checks a lot of those boxes for us. Our students are gaming and we’re meeting them where they are.”










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Photo: Tenino Middle School students win Washington state esports championship

The Tenino Middle School “Rocket League” esports team defeated Mason Middle School three games to one in a best-of-five grand finals series to win the 2025 middle school Washington State Scholastic Esports Association state championship. The Knights join the Tenino High School “Rocket League” squad that won the state championship on May 18. Tenino School […]

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The Tenino Middle School “Rocket League” esports team defeated Mason Middle School three games to one in a best-of-five grand finals series to win the 2025 middle school Washington State Scholastic Esports Association state championship. The Knights join the Tenino High School “Rocket League” squad that won the state championship on May 18.

Read more about the high school team’s championship here. 





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Chicago Sports Network & Aquimo Bring Mobile Gaming to Live Baseball in RSN First

Chicago Sports Network (CHSN), home to the Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls and White Sox, has partnered with Aquimo Inc., a leader in mobile gaming technology for sports broadcasts and live events, to introduce a new interactive mobile gaming experience designed and tailored specifically for CHSN viewers. The custom-built Chicago Sports Network-branded baseball game, The CHSN Home Run […]

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Chicago Sports Network (CHSN), home to the Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls and White Sox, has partnered with Aquimo Inc., a leader in mobile gaming technology for sports broadcasts and live events, to introduce a new interactive mobile gaming experience designed and tailored specifically for CHSN viewers.

The custom-built Chicago Sports Network-branded baseball game, The CHSN Home Run Challenge, will debut on June 12 during White Sox Countdown Live, CHSN’s pregame show, and will be featured throughout the broadcast of the White Sox game that night against the Houston Astros.

This innovative partnership features a second-screen mobile game experience that allows fans to engage in real-time interactive contests tied to CHSN’s White Sox programming. Viewers can participate by scanning a QR code displayed on-screen during the pregame, in-game, or postgame broadcasts, unlocking a fully interactive game experience and the chance to win exclusive White Sox prizes and memorabilia.

“This partnership provides another exciting step forward in our mission to deliver innovative, interactive viewing experiences to our audience,” says Jason Coyle, President of Chicago Sports Network. “This collaboration aligns perfectly with CHSN’s commitment to fan engagement, helping us build deeper connections among our fans, our brand partners, and the broadcast experience.”

Powered by Aquimo’s advanced mobile gaming platform, the experience will feature structured timed events and challenges throughout the CHSN broadcast window. Prizes include autographed items from current and past White Sox stars as well as unique experiences like game used memorabilia and commemorative apparel celebrating the White Sox’s storied history.

“This exciting new activation with CHSN represents the next frontier of fan engagement for regional sports networks,” says Mark Jeffery, founder and CEO of Aquimo. “We’re proud to collaborate with CHSN to enhance their White Sox broadcasts with an engaging second-screen experience that delivers measurable value for broadcasters and sponsors while creating memorable interactions for fans.”

The promotional schedule officially kicks off June 12 during Sox Countdown Live at 6:00 p.m. CT, with continued activations throughout the MLB season. Fans can expect dynamic integrations such as live reads from talent, in-studio demonstrations, interactive on-screen graphics, and promotional spots throughout each game day broadcast window.

For more details and to join the interactive game, fans can tune into CHSN’s White Sox broadcasts or visit CHSN.com.



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GenCyber camp – GCU News

More than 30 high school students from as far away as Chicago and Atlanta participated in GCU’s GenCyber Camp this week at the Cyber Center of Excellence. They did everything from program robots to compete in games of Capture the Flag to simulating how emails get from one person to another. From left, Kyle Vo […]

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More than 30 high school students from as far away as Chicago and Atlanta participated in GCU’s GenCyber Camp this week at the Cyber Center of Excellence. They did everything from program robots to compete in games of Capture the Flag to simulating how emails get from one person to another.



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B2B iGaming marketing overview: Timeless Tech and Amigo Gaming discuss core industry drivers

See the full article on our website: Learn more The role of industry events in B2B marketing Exhibitions and conferences such as SiGMA, SBC, and ICE remain essential in B2B iGaming marketing. These events provide invaluable opportunities for face-to-face interaction, allowing companies to showcase their products and build lasting relationships. In-person meetings continue to play […]

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See the full article on our website: Learn more

The role of industry events in B2B marketing

Exhibitions and conferences such as SiGMA, SBC, and ICE remain essential in B2B iGaming marketing. These events provide invaluable opportunities for face-to-face interaction, allowing companies to showcase their products and build lasting relationships.

In-person meetings continue to play a crucial role in building trust, even as digital transformation accelerates. Mitja highlighted: “Being present at events like SiGMA is about more than showing up; it’s about building trust and lasting relationships.

See our full event list and upcoming opportunities: Timeless Tech Exhibitions

Optimizing websites for lead generation:

Today, websites are crucial to lead generation. iGaming companies must optimize their sites to attract and engage the right audience.

Website content needs to be clear, compelling, and easy to navigate. Strong calls to action guide visitors to take the next step, whether it’s contacting the company, requesting a demo, or signing up.

Content marketing: Building authority and trust

Content marketing allows companies to demonstrate expertise, share game releases, and showcase industry insights.

For game providers, this approach builds trust and positions them as industry leaders. Rodrigo emphasized: “Content marketing shows we understand player engagement and market needs, which is key to long-term success.”

Public relations and social media

PR helps raise brand visibility and credibility. It’s also important for SEO and backlink generation. As for social media, LinkedIn remains the top platform for B2B marketing in iGaming.

Sharing product news, engaging with decision-makers, and showing the human side of the company helps build deeper connections. “LinkedIn is our most effective platform for relationship-building and lead generation,” Rodrigo noted.

The growing influence of AI in marketing

AI is transforming iGaming marketing by automating tasks, analyzing customer data, and optimizing campaigns.

While AI offers valuable insights, human creativity is still essential for strategic decisions. Mitja concluded, “AI assists with data, but human insight remains key to creating authentic marketing strategies.

Conclusion

B2B marketing in iGaming requires a blend of digital innovation, trust-building, and strategic partnerships. Industry events, optimized websites, and content marketing play a key role in success.

Leveraging AI while maintaining human creativity will help iGaming companies stay competitive in this dynamic space.

Contact us to explore collaboration

Source: GMB





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nubia partners with Twitch Rivals at TwitchCon Europe 2025, igniting competitive passion around “Born to Win”

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — nubia, a highly personalized and lifestyle smartphone brand, announced its role as the Official Marketing Partner for Twitch Rivals at TwitchCon Europe 2025 held from May 31 to June 1, 2025 in Rotterdam. This partnership, coinciding with TwitchCon’s 10th anniversary celebration, showcased the gaming excellence of nubia Neo 3 […]

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ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — nubia, a highly personalized and lifestyle smartphone brand, announced its role as the Official Marketing Partner for Twitch Rivals at TwitchCon Europe 2025 held from May 31 to June 1, 2025 in Rotterdam. This partnership, coinciding with TwitchCon’s 10th anniversary celebration, showcased the gaming excellence of nubia Neo 3 series, built on its “Born to Win” spirit, to tens of thousands of in-person attendees and millions of livestream viewers, engaging directly with fans, gamers, streamers, and media on this special stage. The nubia brand was prominently featured throughout the Twitch Rivals Arena, where top streamers competed in live tournaments.

“Partnering with Twitch Rivals at TwitchCon Europe 2025 is another exciting milestone for nubia,” said Li Wei, Vice President of ZTE “The ‘Born to Win’ spirit drives everything we do at nubia, inspiring gamers to strive for victory not just in gaming, but in every life moment. Following our successful collaborations with hit mobile games like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Garena Free Fire, we are thrilled to present nubia Neo 3 series directly to the global vibrant gaming community. TwitchCon provides a perfect stage to demonstrate how our innovative gaming smartphone can elevate the gaming experience for both enthusiasts and professional players. Through our collaboration with Twitch, we aim to build authentic connections with passionate players and expand our gaming presence in Europe and beyond.”

nubia Neo 3 GT, High-Performance AI Gaming Smartphone Built around Born to Win

At the heart of the partnership is nubia Neo 3 GT, a high-performance gaming smartphone built around its “Born to Win” spirit — a belief in confident self-expression, fearless competition, and the relentless pursuit of victory. Powered by a cutting-edge 6nm octa-core chipset running at 2.7GHz, and paired with up to 24GB dynamic RAM and 256GB storage, the device handles demanding games with ease.

The standout Dual Gaming Shoulder Triggers offer console-like controls with high sampling rate and fast response, a unique feature in its segment. Users can customize button mapping, trigger Game Space instantly with both shoulders, and activate one-touch combos for quick skill execution. The triggers reduce screen interference, enhance accuracy in FPS and MOBA games, and provide vibration feedback for a console-like feel. The integrated Z-axis linear motor adds immersive haptic response to every movement.

An exceptional gaming experience is delivered through a 6.8-inch FHD+ OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and 1300 nits peak brightness, while a large 4083mm² VC cooling system with a multi-layer structure ensures stable performance during intense gaming sessions.

The gaming excellence extends to its innovative AI features, with the NeoTurbo AI engine and AI Game Space 3.0 working together to optimize performance through real-time scene recognition and behavioral learning. The AI Virtual Companion Demi provides smart gaming assistance with features like Demi Care, Demi Live, and Demi Alarm for enhanced focus and scheduling. For extended gaming sessions, the large battery with Bypass Charging technology enables direct power delivery without overheating. More than a gaming powerhouse, the nubia Neo 3 GT serves as an everyday companion for the young generation, seamlessly integrating professional gaming capabilities with practical features covering AI Photography, AI Translate and more for diverse user needs.

Immersive Experience Zone Takes Center Stage at TwitchCon Europe 2025

At TwitchCon Europe, nubia hosted an extensive program of activities designed to maximize brand exposure and community engagement. Attendees can visit the nubia interactive zone in the Twitch Rivals Arena featuring state-of-the-art gaming stations to get hands-on with nubia Neo 3 GT, experiencing the smartphone’s extraordinary gaming performance with its unique Dual Gaming Shoulder Triggers and AI Game Space. Featured streamers led intense battles, showcasing the exceptional power of nubia Neo 3 GT. Daily competitions let attendees compete using nubia Neo 3 GT for exclusive prizes and merchandise.

nubia Neo 3 series launched in March 2025 globally, with the Free Fire Co-Branded Edition following in May 2025 across Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, and other global markets.

MEDIA INQUIRIES:
ZTE Corporation
Communications
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE ZTE Corporation



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Stay22 Partners with Riot Games to Bring Hassle Free Travel to League of Legends Fans

Friday, June 13, 2025 Stay22, a leading Canadian travel tech company, has announced an exciting partnership with Riot Games to elevate the fan experience at the 2025 League of Legends Championship of the Americas (LTA) playoffs. This collaboration aims to streamline the process for esports fans attending the event in Texas, offering a seamless and […]

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Friday, June 13, 2025

Stay22, a leading Canadian travel tech company, has announced an exciting partnership with Riot Games to elevate the fan experience at the 2025 League of Legends Championship of the Americas (LTA) playoffs. This collaboration aims to streamline the process for esports fans attending the event in Texas, offering a seamless and integrated accommodation booking experience.

This partnership comes at a time when esports continues to grow globally, and event organizers like Riot Games are seeking innovative ways to enhance the fan experience. The integration of Stay22’s technology will enable fans to book accommodations at the same time they purchase their tickets for the highly anticipated LTA playoffs, which are scheduled to take place on September 27th and 28th in Texas. The official ticket sales for the 2025 LTA season finale will open on June 14th for pre-sale and June 15th for general sale.

Revolutionizing Esports Event Booking with Stay22’s Innovative Integration

Stay22’s software solution integrates seamlessly with Riot Games’ platform, allowing fans to book hotels and other accommodations without leaving the event page. This integration is powered by Stay22’s MAP (Marketplace Access Points) technology, which is designed to capitalize on high-intent audiences within event, media, and ticketing ecosystems. By displaying location-relevant booking options within Riot’s content, the platform empowers fans to make travel decisions on the spot, further enhancing their event experience.

Malcolm Archer, Head of Sales and Partnerships at Stay22, commented on the partnership, saying, “Stay22’s origin is rooted in esports: Hamed A., one of the co-founders of the company, decided to build the first version of our Map after struggling to book a hotel for a Counter-Strike tournament, so we are thrilled to work with an industry leader like Riot Games and offer a seamless, complete booking experience for video game players and fans. This partnership is a perfect example of how Stay22 helps event organizers provide a better experience for their community while unlocking incremental revenue, too.”

Addressing the Needs of Mobile-First, Fast-Paced Esports Fans

As gaming and esports continue to capture the attention of millions around the world, event organizers are increasingly catering to the growing demand for fast, mobile-friendly booking solutions. Esports fans, often young and tech-savvy, are known for making quick decisions, especially on mobile devices. Recognizing this, Stay22 has designed its platform to meet fans where they are, providing a frictionless experience that allows them to plan their travel and accommodations with minimal hassle.

Jeff Goodman, Enterprise Partnerships at Stay22, emphasized the importance of seamless booking for today’s esports audience: “Eventgoers, especially in gaming and esports, are planning fast and often on mobile. Frictionless booking matters. We’ve built tech that meets fans where they are, at the right moment, and Riot Games shares that user-first mindset.” This collaboration between Stay22 and Riot Games underscores a shared commitment to putting the fan experience at the forefront of event planning and execution.

A Game-Changer for the Esports Industry

This partnership marks just the beginning of a long-term collaboration between Stay22 and Riot Games. The two companies have already expressed their intent to build upon the success of this integration and continue to innovate in the esports event space. Stay22’s technology is set to provide even more performance-based insights and enhancements in the future, further improving the overall experience for attendees at esports events.

The partnership has the potential to change the way fans experience major esports tournaments, offering a more integrated and convenient way to plan their trip. As the esports industry continues to expand, innovations like these could set a new standard for fan engagement and operational efficiency in the events sector.

The Future of Esports Travel and Stay22’s Impact

Stay22 has a proven track record of helping brands create seamless, revenue-generating experiences for travelers, content creators, and event organizers. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Stay22 has grown rapidly, reaching a Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of $500 million in 2024, with revenues of $25 million. The company currently boasts over 3,500 active partners and has facilitated over one million trips to 226 countries and regions.

Stay22’s innovative approach to travel technology is a game-changer for the event industry, providing a simple and effective solution to connect travelers with accommodation options. As esports continues to grow in popularity, Stay22’s role in the industry is poised to expand, helping event organizers reach new heights of success.

About Riot Games

Riot Games, the developer and publisher behind some of the world’s most popular video games, is no stranger to the esports industry. Known for its groundbreaking titles like League of Legends and VALORANT, Riot Games has become a leader in the gaming and esports world. The company also produces some of the most-watched esports tournaments globally, with millions of fans tuning in to watch the action unfold.

About Stay22

Stay22 is a Canadian travel tech company that provides innovative solutions to seamlessly connect content creators and media with affiliate marketing opportunities. Its platform uses artificial intelligence and machine learning technology to help content creators generate incremental revenue through travel bookings. In 2024, Stay22 reached new milestones, including $500 million in GMV and $25 million in revenue, while helping to monetize 182,000 pages across the web with 1.5 billion views.

Stay22’s partnership with Riot Games represents a significant step in the company’s continued growth and innovation, offering esports fans a more seamless and enjoyable event experience.

Stay22’s collaboration with Riot Games to enhance the fan experience at the 2025 League of Legends Championship playoffs is a significant development in the esports and travel industries. By enabling fans to book their accommodations while purchasing tickets, Stay22 is revolutionizing the way esports events engage with their audiences. This partnership is just the beginning of what promises to be a long-lasting and impactful relationship between Stay22 and Riot Games, with more innovations to come.

For more information, fans are encouraged to stay up-to-date via Riot Games’ official channels regarding the 2025 LTA playoffs and Stay22’s future collaborations.

Tags: accommodation booking, Canada, esports fan experience, esports travel booking, global esports community, League of Legends Championship, Montreal, riot games, Riot Games partnership, Stay22 partnership, Stay22 technology, Texas, Texas esports event, United States



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