With GCU setting the standard, Arizona is becoming a hotbed of college esports

  • Slug: Sports-College Esports, about 785 words.
  • Photos available.

By Warren Younger
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Arizona State and Arizona are regarded as the pillars of collegiate athletics in the state, and the same is proving true in collegiate esports. Both schools recently showed their potential at the inaugural Arizona Esports Collegiate Cup at the Arizona State Fair.

The Sun Devils defeated the Wildcats for first place in that tournament, but while ASU and Arizona may have the best Overwatch teams right now, their team leaders agree that it is Grand Canyon that is setting the standard for overall esports programs in the state.

Credit Albert Lee, GCU’s esports coordinator, for setting a high bar. Since he was hired to lead the school’s esports initiative in August 2018, he has overseen the construction of a massive esports arena and the implementation of new scholarships for the program’s most important teams. Creating these resources for the school’s 19 teams, Lee said, is new territory.

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Grand Canyon coach Stankiewicz and son together with Antelopes

  • Slug: Sports-GCU baseball, 465 words
  • No photo

By CHRISTOPHER WHITCOMB

Cronkite News

PHOENIX — A new season means new players and new goals, but for Grand Canyon baseball coach Andy Stankiewicz, a familiar face graces the clubhouse.

His son’s.

Freshman Dane Stankiewicz and the 2-1 Antelopes open a three-game series at Wichita State today.

Despite Dane’s accomplishments at Gilbert High School, where he batted .307 his senior season while playing shortstop and second base, Andy didn’t want their relationship to cloud his judgment.

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Grand Canyon hopes tough schedule pays off in final stretch of season

Slug: Sports-GCU Basketball, 570
Photo available (thumbnail, caption below)

By CHRISTOPHER WHITCOMB
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The Grand Canyon University men’s basketball team has played a schedule loaded with tough opponents this season, and it is by design.

Their non-conference schedule included games against some of the best programs in college basketball, coached by some of the biggest names in coaching such as Mike Krzyzewski at Duke, Louisville and Rick Pitino, San Diego State and Steve Fisher, Arizona and Sean Miller and Penn State, coached by Pat Chambers.

Those coaches have combined for 75 NCAA Tournament appearances, 18 trips to the Final Four and eight national championships. 

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