Humber Esports has been recognized as the 2025 Emerging Program of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), the leading organization for varsity esports in higher education. NACE supports the growth and development of collegiate esports across North America by providing structure, governance and resources to over 240 member institutions and more than 5,000 student-athletes.

With this achievement, Humber becomes the first Canadian collegiate esports program to receive this award. This milestone highlights the program’s rapid growth, student-centered approach and commitment to building inclusive and career-focused pathways in gaming and education.

The award was presented at the 2025 NACE National Convention in Dallas, Texas, where Bernard Mafei, senior administrator of Esports at Humber, accepted the honour on behalf of the program. Humber was celebrated for its innovation in broadcasting, marketing, operations, and competitive development. From the digital stage to real-world careers, Humber Esports continues to set a new standard for what postsecondary esports can look like.

For more information or to collaborate with Humber Esports, reach out to Ahmed Sagarwala, associate dean, Interaction Design at ahmed.sagarwala@humber.ca and Bernard Mafei, senior administrator of Esports at bernard.mafei@humber.ca.