Latest Esports Updates
UNF Esports is a Finalist for Two NACE Awards
Our UNF Esports program has been named a finalist for two National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) awards, recognizing the growth and success of the program since opening in February 2026.
Our program is a finalist for Emerging Program of the Year, while our Esports Manager, Tom Screech, has been named a finalist for Emerging Esports Director of the Year. We are also proud to host the 2026 NACE Convention from July 29-31, welcoming collegiate esports professionals from across the country to UNF.
Receiving two national award finalist nominations while hosting the annual NACE Convention is an exciting milestone for our new program and reflects the impact UNF Esports has made in just a few months.
One Stop on Their Journey Across America
The UNF Flight Deck welcomed UK content creators Woody & Kleiny as part of their 39-day, 24/7 livestream across the United States celebrating the 2026 World Cup. In partnership with Paysafe, the duo stopped at UNF to tour the Flight Deck, meet with students, and compete in live EA SPORTS FC 26 matches, sharing the experience with their global audience.
With more than 5 million followers on Instagram and 15 million subscribers on YouTube, Woody & Kleiny brought their high-energy livestream to campus, giving UNF students the opportunity to participate in a globally broadcast gaming event. Their visit showcased the Flight Deck as a hub for esports, competition, and community while connecting the excitement of the FIFA World Cup with the world's most popular soccer video game.
Osprey Overwatch Invitational
The inaugural Osprey Overwatch Invitational brought Florida's top collegiate Overwatch 2 programs to the UNF Flight Deck for two days of high-level competition and marked the first intercollegiate tournament hosted in the arena. Held April 11-12, 2026, the event welcomed varsity and club teams from across the state to compete for the first-ever Osprey Overwatch Invitational championship trophy.
Throughout the weekend, teams showcased their talent in front of students, fans, and members of the local esports community, highlighting the Flight Deck's state-of-the-art competitive gaming facilities. After an exciting tournament, the University of South Florida emerged as the inaugural Osprey Overwatch Invitational champions, becoming the first program to claim the event's championship trophy. The successful debut of the invitational established the Flight Deck as a premier destination for collegiate esports competition and laid the foundation for what will become an annual tradition at UNF.
UNF Names Tom Screech Inaugural Esports Program Manager
The University of North Florida is excited to welcome Tom Screech as our first Esports Program Manager! Tom joins Osprey Nation with years of experience in collegiate esports and will lead the growth of UNF Esports through student development, competitive excellence, and community engagement.
"My name is Tom, I've been involved in esports for the best part of a decade. Before UNF, I led the academic development of the Harrisburg University Esports Program, and was a partnerships manager at NACE Starleague/Playfly Sports before that. I have a passion for the college esports community, and there's nothing I love more than showing someone what esports can do to bring people together. UNF is the perfect example of what we can do when people care, we have incredible staff and talented students in every facet of the program. I am beyond excited to be an Osprey, and help UNF Esports become a cornerstone of what UNF has to offer."