Just last weekend, on November 4^th, GCU Esports pulled off one of its most stunning feats yet. At the GCU x NASCAR Phoenix Raceway Rocket League Invitational Tournament, opportunity was everywhere. Today we'll be running through key points and highlights of the event, so stay tuned for an exciting new announcement!

The Rocket League Invitational GCU held at the NASCAR Phoenix Raceway was an 8-team college tournament.  The roster for this tournament was as follows:
 
Grand Canyon University (GCU Varsity/Lopes)
Grand Canyon University Club Team (GCU JV/GCU 2)
Arizona State University (ASU Maroon/Sun Devils)
University of Arizona (UofA Wildcats)
Glendale Community College (GCC Gauchos)
Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC Coyotes)
University of Nevada, Reno (Wolf Pack)
Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC Pumas)
 
As you can see, this was an event with competition featuring all of the top schools in the state, and even one promising team coming all the way from Nevada! Each team fought their hardest to earn the right to brag as the best team in the valley. ASU, UofA, and both GCU teams even managed to make it to the Top 4 spots. ASU and UofA were set into losers bracket at round 2 by GCU Varsity and GCU 2 respectively, with both teams for the Lopes facing each other in winners finals. GCU Varsity beat out GCU 2, promptly sending them down to losers finals where they awaited the rest of the teams. ASU and UofA went on to show their stuff throughout their runs in losers bracket. ASU came out of the day with some of the strongest offense of any given roster, and UofA had a strong focus on team synergy that provided them with a comeback factor that was previously unheard of. After beating out the Wolf Pack and the Coyotes respectively, ASU and UofA met in losers semis. UofA put their team synergy and beat out ASU 3-1, going on to meet GCU 2 in losers finals. Roaring applause cheered throughout the room from the members of GCU hosting the event, as it looked like we might witness an all-GCU grand finals. However, UofA's comeback factor showed its head in full force, as the Wildcats clawed their way back to a victory after going down two games.
After such stellar performances, Phoenix Raceway was on its way to see an extremely competitive BO7 in grand finals. This wish came true in every sense of the word. The teams traded wins back and forth for the first four games, and after going on a two-game win streak, things were looking dire for GCU as the tournament progressed all the way to game 7. In the final game of the invitational, despite the immense efforts from both teams, GCU Varsity ultimately claimed the day. With a cheer that resounded throughout the Phoenix Raceway, the Lopes happily welcomed their second consecutive victory at the now-annual event.
 
 
The GCU x NASCAR Phoenix Raceway Invitational was not an event made solely for collegiate competitors. One dedicated team from Sunrise Mountain High School turned out. The young and promising talent earned a sizable scholarship and went on to play an exhibition match against GCU 2 after the conclusion of grand finals. GCU 2 won the match, but Sunrise Mountain left everyone full of smiles towards the future of collegiate Rocket League.
 
Students from GCU found plenty of opportunity as well. Grand Canyon University hosted the tournament as well as the broadcast for the event. GCU assembled a star team of student workers, who filled all sorts of positions: from tournament organizers, to tabling, and even on air talent. These students hauled out an impressive setup with 54 PCs, monitors, and all sorts of other peripheral equipment. Each student worker showed up with a smile, having a blast as they all gained vital experience in their fields of study.
 
 
NASCAR weekend was a resounding success on all accounts, providing impressive exposure to GCU's efforts. The Invitational hosted by GCU Esports and the hard work that went into the event's success were featured on Full Throttle, Fox 10, and even the broadcast of NASCAR itself. GCU Esports livestreamed GCU x NASCAR at the Phoenix Raceway on their own YouTube channel, and the VOD currently has more than 600 views in an extremely short period. Be sure to check out the GCU Esports YouTube channel to check out the VOD yourself and support our upcoming streams!
 
As a final exciting announcement, GCU Esports can confidently say that we are working closely with NASCAR to renew the Phoenix Raceway x GCU partnership for yet another event in March of 2024. Stay tuned for more information!