Kentucky eSports Raise Hundreds for Charity in Lively Governor’s Cup Showdown with Louisville
Supporters rallied and gaming controllers clashed in Kentucky as the eSports teams from the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville rumbled in the yearly ‘Governor’s Cup’ showdown. This charity event, held at The Cornerstone, raised hundreds of dollars in a spirited weekend of competition.
Competing for a Cause
The eagerly awaited two-day contest, held from April 4-6, saw teams participating in games that ran the gamut from League of Legends to Tetris. Participants represented their respective schools and vied for the victorious title.
During each game, winners earned points for their teams. Larger games such as Valorant or League of Legends won them ten points, along with five points for side games like Super Smash Bros, and three points for Tetris.
However, the competition extended beyond gaming, with every ten dollars raised for charity resulting in one point towards the teams’ final score. The team with the highest score would take home the revered Governor’s Cup, along with a year’s worth of bragging rights.
The Spirit of Giving
Though the stakes were high, the primary ethos of the event was charity. Donations came with in-game bonuses, where a school could donate funds to inflict a penalty on their rival during gameplay.
The results were a clear testament to the charitable spirit of attendees, with both schools raising a combined total of $481 in aid of children’s hospitals. Despite trailing in points accumulated through gameplay, Louisville dominated in terms of donations with a total of $380, earning them an impressive 38 points. The final tally of points concluded with 78 points for Louisville and 73 for Kentucky, making Louisville the consecutive year’s Governor’s Cup champions.
Looking Ahead
The event marked the end of the eSports team’s semester and brought about a leadership change. UK eSports club President Riley Clasby, who will graduate from the University of Kentucky this semester, passes the reins to Alex Valdivia, currently serving as the Vice President of Events.
Valdivia, who also partook in the Super Smash Bros event, already has plans for his upcoming presidency. “Next year I really hope to connect more to the campus community,” Valdivia said. “I know that we as a club have a lot to offer.”
There’s no doubt that the buzz and excitement around the Governor’s Cup and eSports are only set to grow in the coming years. Though the competition was fierce, the spirit of giving and community was the real winner.
Kentucky eSports returns to competitive action in the fall.
