A unique partnership between Atlanta’s NBA 2K League team, Hawks Talon Gaming, the city’s other professional basketball team, the College Park Skyhawks and the University of West Georgia has been announced. “We are so excited to help educate the future generations about ways that they can have a career in sports and esports,” said College Park Skyhawks and Hawks Talon Gaming Vice President of Operations Janice Koon.
The Carrollton-based university will utilize this partnership to offer students experience in the sports business and in the gaming business. Both are industries that are difficult to enter upon graduation and this new program could help make that transition much more common. “To peel back the curtain and help mold the next generation of industry professionals and leaders is something we are excited to get started on.”
The College Park Skyhawks will host “University of West Georgia Day” March 6 and have a number of University of West Georgia students visit the organization to talk with executives from the team, Hawks Talon Gaming, the Atlanta Hawks and Gateway Center Arena, the Skyhawks home arena. “This partnership with the Skyhawks and Hawks Talon Gaming exemplifies the university’s commitment to curating a first-choice university for our students with distinctive, world-class experiences both inside and outside the classroom,” said University of West Georgia President Dr. Brendan B. Kelly.
There will also be an internship available for a student to be able to actually work with the Skyhawks and Hawks Talon Gaming. “Getting to work with University of West Georgia will be a great opportunity for us to reach students and bring them into our world,” said Hawks Talon Gaming Director of Esports Wesley Acuff.
The College Park Skyhawks’ next home game is at 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 10 against the Westchester Knicks.