ISEA x NECC PARTNERSHIP RELEASE
Release Date: November 13, 2025
The National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) and the Interstate Scholastic Esports Alliance (ISEA) have entered into a strategic partnership to strengthen the health, well-being, and growth of scholastic and collegiate esports across North America.
The ISEA is a nationwide coalition of educator-led scholastic esports organizations serving students and schools in the K–12 space. Operating in 25 states, ISEA organizations serve more than 80,000 students annually. The NECC is a collegiate esports conference working with over 500 colleges and universities across North America, focusing on inclusive competition, academic support, and player-centered development.
Partnership Focus
This collaboration will center on sharing resources, materials, and competitive and academic opportunities to reinforce each organization’s mission and expand support for the students, schools, and programs they serve.
As an early result of this initiative, the NECC is partnering with the Texas Scholastic Esports Federation (TexSEF), a member of the ISEA, to host Proving Grounds—a live LAN event on Saturday, November 15 at the Keith Bell Opportunity Central in Forney, Texas. The event will showcase competition between local high school teams and include recruitment and educational programming. Admission is free and open to the public.
“This partnership highlights one of the best relationships I have had since starting my position as the esports program director here at Concordia University, St. Paul in 2021.”
— Tyler Pauly, Esports Program Director, Concordia University – St. Paul
Pauly noted the ongoing connection between Concordia St. Paul and the Minnesota Varsity League (MNVL), Minnesota’s ISEA member organization. Concordia appears on all MNVL broadcasts, attends state tournaments and coaching clinics, and hosts high school teams for field trips and yearly rivalry matches in their esports lab.
“The partnership between collegiate and high school esports steadies the turbulent waters that esports has seen in recent years. With a strong scholastic foundation, esports at every level can grow. More importantly, this partnership pushes the academic impact of esports—showing students new pathways to post-secondary education and future opportunities.”
— Jake Utities, Vice President, ISEA
Media Contact
For more information, please contact:
Danielle Johnson – danielle@texsef.org
Jacob VanRyn – jacob@neccathletics.com
ABOUT THE ISEA
The Interstate Scholastic Esports Alliance (ISEA) is a coalition of educator-led scholastic esports organizations serving K–12 schools across the United States. With member organizations in 25 states and over 80,000 students served annually, the ISEA is the unified voice of K–12 esports—advocating for best practices, academic alignment, and student enrichment through esports.
Our mission is to empower ALL students to use esports as a platform for social, emotional, and academic growth.
More information: https://www.iseaesports.org/
ABOUT THE NECC
The National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) provides inclusive competition, academic alignment, and high-quality broadcasting services for collegiate esports. Founded to give collegiate gaming the recognition it deserves, the NECC now supports over 500 colleges and universities across North America.
The NECC strives to be a positive, responsive home for the collegiate gaming community, always prioritizing the needs of schools, coaches, directors, and—above all—players.
More information: https://necc.gg