April 26, 2021–The Missouri Western State University Griffon Esports team dominated in their first appearance at Extra Life United, the annual Esports and gaming tournament hosted by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
In the popular game Rocket League, the team of Griffon Esports varsity athletes “The Animal” (Adam Clow, freshman health sciences major from Kansas City, Missouri) and “Jnosk” (Noah VanCleave, undeclared freshman from St. Joseph, Missouri) were undefeated in a field that started with several hundred players from across North America. Their win not only brought home bragging rights, but also a $5,000 donation to their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, KU Medical Center.
Spearheaded by MWSU Director of Esports, Christian Konczal, the MWSU Griffon Esports team has made giving back part of the fabric of their program through CMN Hospital’s signature program Extra Life. Extra Life is a community of gamers who raise funds for local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals through live streams, gaming tournaments and other events throughout the year.
Since 2010, Extra Life participants have raised over $600,000 for sick and injured kids treated at KU Medical Center, the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals partner in the Greater Kansas City area.
Learn more about Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Extra Life by visiting extra-life.org.
About Missouri Western State University:Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.
About Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals: Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $7 billion in unrestricted funds for 170 children’s hospitals across the United States and Canada. Dollars raised stay local and supports each hospital’s most urgent needs. The Pediatrics Department at the University of Kansas Medical Center is proud to be the local CMN Hospital in the Greater Kansas City area. Learn more at www.cmnkc.org.
About Extra Life: Extra Life unites thousands of gamers around the world to play games in support of their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Learn more at www.extra-life.org.