This category aims to celebrate an esports program that excels in all aspects of scholastic esports. This can be defined as excellence in competition, education, student development, and community impact. The recipient of this award not only achieves outstanding results but also exemplifies sportsmanship, academic balance, and a commitment to advancing the future of scholastic esports.

This category is awarded to a school that supports esports through a university supported program, as opposed to a student-led club organization. This program may be at a four-year or two-year institution.

This category aims to celebrate an esports club organization or program that excels in all aspects of scholastic esports. This can be defined as excellence in competition, education, student development, and community impact. The recipient of this award not only achieves outstanding results but also exemplifies sportsmanship, academic balance, and a commitment to advancing the future of scholastic esports.

This category is awarded to a school that supports esports through a student-led organization.  Schools that operate varsity or non-varsity programs may be nominated, but only through consideration of their club activities. This club may be at a four-year or two-year institution.

This category aims to honor the most outstanding esports program leader in the space, recognizing excellence in leadership, program development, and competitive success. This award is given to an individual who goes above and beyond in shaping a thriving esports program, fostering a positive and inclusive culture, and making a lasting impact on players, staff, and the broader community. The recipient exemplifies strategic vision, innovation, and dedication to advancing esports, both within their institution and across the industry.

This individual must be the highest standing esports employee of their institution, most commonly titled as director or coordinator of esports. If there are multiple directors at a single institution, only the individual higher in the organizational hierarchy is eligible. This individual may be at a four-year or two-year institution.

This category aims to recognize the most outstanding student in a leadership position within an esports program or club in the space, honoring excellence in leadership, academics, and competitive or community contributions. This award is given to a student who not only excels in program involvement but also demonstrates exceptional initiative, teamwork, and a commitment to growing esports at their institution and beyond. The recipient is a role model who embodies sportsmanship, innovation, and a passion for making a positive impact on the esports community.

This individual must be a student at their institution. This individual may be an undergraduate or graduate student from a four-year or two-year institution.

This category aims to recognize the most outstanding esports staff member in scholastic esports. This award is given to an individual who goes above and beyond in supporting players, developing students, and contributing to the overall success of their program. Whether through coaching, operations, broadcasting, teaching or other essential roles, the recipient exemplifies professionalism, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to the growth and advancement of esports.

This individual must be an employee of their institution dedicated to esports, with eligible roles including assistant directors, program managers, coaches, broadcast directors, social media managers, etc. Individuals eligible for the Director of the Year category are not eligible for this award. Students with professional responsibilities: work study, graduate assistant, student work positions, etc. are not eligible for this award.  This individual may be at a four-year or two-year institution.

This category aims to celebrate an individual that best lives the community values of collegiate esports and who has displayed considerable signs of leadership, advocacy, and development as it pertains to helping make the scholastic esports space more inclusive, diverse, and welcoming. This award is given to an individual who has made consistent or large contributions towards local, regional, or national discussions as they pertain to diversity, equity, and/or inclusion.

This individual may be a student, an administrator, or even a third-party employee, who interacts or works with scholastic esports operations and activities within North America.

This category aims to honor the best collegiate esports broadcast production team in the space, recognizing excellence in production quality, technical execution, storytelling, and consistency. This award is given to an esports program that consistently delivers high-quality, engaging broadcasts that enhance the esports viewing experience. The recipient demonstrates innovation in production and a commitment to elevating collegiate esports through professional-level broadcasts, creativity, and coverage.

This category is awarded to an esports program that broadcasts their offerings on streaming platforms. This program may be at a four-year or two-year institution.

This category aims to recognize the best collegiate esports social media team in scholastic esports, celebrating excellence in content creation, brand building, and community engagement. This award is given to an esports program that consistently delivers high-quality, creative, impactful, and engaging content that grows their program’s presence and fosters community interaction. The recipient demonstrates innovation in social strategy, setting the standard for how esports programs connect with students, alumni, fans, and the broader community.

This category is awarded to an esports program that utilizes social media platforms and posts content on them. This program may be at a four-year or two-year institution.

This category aims to recognize the individual or team who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, and dedication in delivering a seamless and engaging competitive event. This award will make sure that the individuals who put countless hours into making these events happen are celebrated. This award recipient excels in logistics, player experience, and broadcast coordination, ensuring a fair, well-structured, and memorable event for participants and audiences alike.

This individual may be an organizer of a school affiliated event, conference competition, and/or of an event/qualifier within the CECC event series.

This category recognizes the commissioner or league organizer who has made a significant impact in shaping and advancing their conference or league, fostering growth, fair competition, and a positive experience for all participants. The recipient demonstrates exceptional vision, innovation, and dedication to building a strong and sustainable esports ecosystem within scholastic esports competition. The recipient provides opportunities for students in the space through the development of professional opportunities and experiential learning.

This individual must be associated with an esports conference, league, or tournament series.