USC Upstate Esports is now offering scholarship opportunities for student-athletes as the program continues to grow its competitive roster and expand its presence in collegiate esports.
Led by head coach Nick Matawa, who began guiding the program in November 2025, USC Upstate Esports currently competes in Valorant, Rocket, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Overwatch, Marvel Rivals, Fortnite, and plans to expand into Rocket League for Fall 2026. The addition of scholarships marks an important step for the program as it recruits students who can contribute to the growing organization.
“The South has become one of the more competitive esports landscapes in the country, and scholarship support is essential if we want USC Upstate to recruit, develop and retain high-level talent,” Matawa said. “This is more than financial aid for players. It is an investment in students who will represent the university in competition while building skills in broadcasting, marketing, event management, leadership and technology. It also gives us a stronger opportunity to keep talented high school players in South Carolina, especially as esports continues to grow in Spartanburg’s middle and high schools – which has seen great growth this year alone. This is a real step toward putting USC Upstate on the national collegiate esports map.”
The program recently added two Super Smash Bros. Ultimate competitors: Noah “Taskbot” Childers and Miles “Mr. Bell” Arn.
Childers arrives at USC Upstate as one of the top Super Smash Bros. Ultimate competitors in the Carolinas and one of the premier Robin players in the world. According to SchuStats, Childers is currently ranked the No. 7 Robin player globally. He was previously ranked No. 6 on the Houston, Texas Smash Power Rankings in 2025 and has continued to perform at a high level since moving to the Carolinas, earning the No. 4 spot on South Carolina’s first-quarter 2026 Power Rankings.
Arn joins USC Upstate from Hopatcong High School in New Jersey and is expected to play an important role in the program’s continued development in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. He capped off his high school career as a one-time GSE New Jersey state champion, six-time GSE New Jersey All-Star and top-100 competitor in North New Jersey.
The two additions reflect USC Upstate’s continued commitment to innovation, competition and new pathways for student success. Scholarship opportunities will support the program’s recruiting efforts as USC Upstate continues to build competitive teams across multiple titles while creating opportunities for students interested in the growing esports and gaming industries.
USC Upstate Esports provides students with competitive, academic and professional development opportunities through organized collegiate esports. The program competes in the Big South Conference and the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference, with plans to expand into additional collegiate esports conferences in the future.
Prospective students and families interested in USC Upstate Esports can learn more by connecting with the program and contacting Nick Matawa at [email protected].