POINT3 Announces Official Partnership with Johnson C. Smith University’s Esports and Gaming Trifecta

The Atlanta-based brand focuses on enhancing its gaming footprint and empowering emerging talent within the space.

Atlanta, Ga. (Feb. 24, 2021) -- POINT3, an Atlanta-based performance apparel brand, and Johnson C. Smith University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) located in Charlotte, North Carolina announce their 2021 esports apparel partnership. The JCSU Esports and Gaming Club joins POINT3’s growing roster of gaming organizations, with POINT3 serving as the team’s official jersey provider.

This partnership follows POINT3 and NextUp Partners announcing a multi-pronged, strategic alignment to accelerate POINT3's position as the leading performance outfitter in gaming.

JCSU’s Esports and Gaming Trifecta initiatives consists of: Certificate and minor programs in Esports and Gaming Management, an Esports Lab, a Game Development Club, and a highly competitive Esports Club.

“From the moment we were introduced to the students and faculty at JCSU Esports we could feel their passion, pride in their program and love of the game,” said Michael Luscher, Founder and CEO of POINT3. “This partnership is an important one as we explore ways to empower the gaming community and the diverse pool of young talent emerging in the space.”

POINT3’s design is inspired by a combination of the old and the new. The jerseys sport JCSU’s signature Gold and Blue colorways, paired with the University’s classic font, founding year and Golden Bull horns seen on the jersey sleeve. Modernizing the design is the use of POINT3’s patented DRYV technology giving players a wipe zone to keep hands and face dry when competing. To check out the official JCSU Esports and Gaming Club jerseys, click here!

“We are elated to partner with POINT3, the exclusive jersey provider for JCSU’s Esports Club. It’s a privilege to represent JCSU Esports, CIAA Esports and the entire HBCU esports and gaming ecosystem through this partnership,” said Dr. BerNadette Lawson-Williams, Founder/Advisor of JCSU’s Esports and Gaming Trifecta and Coordinator of JCSU’s online Sport Management Program, both the first at an HBCU and housed in the Metropolitan College of Professional Studies.

Since its inception in May 2020, the Esports Club has already made a name for itself in the space. The club consists of approximately 15 team members who play in a variety of esports including Call of Duty, Fortnite, Rocket League, Madden and NBA2K. Because of the team’s well-rounded talent, they have quickly secured victories over well-known universities such as University of North Carolina-Charlotte, Virginia Tech, Shenandoah University, Howard University, Clemson University.

JCSU is the first HBCU to launch an Esports and Gaming Management certificate program for professionals and a minor program for undergraduate students. The 21-credit minor offers specialized coursework in esports and gaming management, and marketing, providing students with a strong foundational skill set. To enhance that foundation and provide working experience, POINT3 is giving JCSU students internship opportunities at the organization’s corporate headquarters.

“We are excited to play a role in bringing together two organizations who are leading the way in the world of esports,” said Sabrina Jenkins of NextUp Partners. “With this collaboration, we will help ensure students from the African American community have an opportunity to excel within this growing landscape.”

The JSCU Esports Club’s next match will be on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at 8 p.m. on Twitch at: @JCSUesports. Be sure to follow along on the team’s journey and continued success.

About POINT3

POINT3 is a performance apparel brand designed to defeat sweat. After a decade on the basketball court helping ballplayers own the game’s critical moments, POINT3 has extended its reach to gaming apparel and any activity where sweat inhibits performance. POINT3 gear features DRYV®, a patented textile technology that incorporates an absorbent wipe zone providing players with a surface area to keep hands and face dry without putting their game on pause. Available online at www.POINT3Gear.comor through the POINT3 team catalog, featuring uniforms worn by thousands of teams and leagues across the country. You can learn more about patented DRYV® Technology at www.DRYVTechnology.com.

About Johnson C. Smith University

Founded in 1867, Johnson C. Smith University is an independent, close-knit urban university located in Charlotte, N.C. It has a growing national reputation for integrating the liberal arts with business, the sciences and technology in ways that empower tomorrow’s diverse entrepreneurial citizens and leaders. Offering 24 fields of study, including a master’s degree in social work, to more than 1,400 students from a variety of ethnic, socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds, the university’s excellent academic programs focus on servant leadership, civic engagement and global responsibility. For more information about JCSU, visit www.jcsu.edu or follow the university on social media sites Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

About NextUp Partners

Led by one of the most diverse and accomplished leadership teams in sports, NextUp Partners consists of veteran senior and mid-level professionals with decades of proven success across sports leagues, teams, brands and creative agencies and a multitude of C-suite level relationships from across the industry. NextUp Partners was formed to provide innovative sports-focused organizations with a broad range of efficient business services -- optimized for the 2021 climate and beyond. Solutions are customized to the needs of the client and include end-to-end strategy and execution spanning key disciplines such as product development, merchandising, brand strategy and management, sales and business development, customer / fan acquisition and engagement, digital and affiliate commerce, communications and public relations, live events and experiences, data and analytics, as well as financial planning, analysis, and controllership. For more information, visit www.NextUpPartners.com.

Press Contacts

POINT3 Basketball: Josh Gotthelf -- jg@point3basketball.com

Johnson C. Smith University: LiZeatra Wilson -- lzwilson@jcsu.edu

NextUp Partners: Kerry Graue -- kerry.graue@nextuppartners.net

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