WATERVILLE, MAINE, July 2024 — Last month, Thomas College staff hosted a virtual, international version of Thomas Cup, an innovation and gaming competition, for high school students in Thailand for the first time.
The event was hosted by Thomas Esports coaches Owen Vining and Jonathan Middour in collaboration with our partners at Global Network and iHost Thailand. The event lasted 14 hours with 12 teams of 80 total high school students competing and the top two teams were awarded Esports scholarships to attend Thomas College.
“The Inaugural International Thomas Cup was a great success, we had 12 teams from Thailand participate and received resounding positive feedback from the participants. This was the first big Esports tournament with significant prizes in Thailand and a great first step in creating opportunities for international students to pursue their passion in Esports through education,” said Thomas Esports Head Coach Owen Vining. “We look to continue to build upon this event by expanding our Esports events to other games and many other countries, offering opportunities for an international education as well as a great place to call home in the ever-growing Collegiate Esports scene.”
Tahn Settachaibodee of iHost said, “This event has invented the exciting phenomenon for Thai high school students in the Esports competition organized by Thomas College. iHost Thailand realized this competition is very essential for the growth and development of Thailand Esport education. To the best of our knowledge, this event is the first Esports competition awarding the USA college scholarship for Thai high school students. With the success of this event, we wish to be a part of the Thomas Cup competition again in the future. “
A student participant, Thanapat Taitaku, of Affix Team said, “I think this activity is an excellent opportunity for high school students who enjoy gaming and are seeking to gain admission to a prestigious university in the United States. It demonstrates the college’s strong support for Esports.”
“First of all, we would like to thank Thomas College for organizing this creative tournament,” said another participant from the Affix team, Krittapak Nitisaropas. “It is a great honor for us to have the opportunity to join the competition and was also able to win the championship in this tournament.”
About Thomas College:
U.S. News and World Report consistently ranks Thomas College as a top college in Maine for social mobility. Our clear career focus and one-of-a-kind Guaranteed Job Program™ makes it possible to advance faster in the arts and sciences, business, and education. Earn an undergraduate degree in three years and then choose from a variety of in-person or online graduate degree programs that can be completed in one-year or two. Located in Waterville, Maine, Thomas College is your pathway to a promising future, guaranteed. For more information visit thomas.edu or contact MacKenzie Riley Young at [email protected] or 207-859-1313. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and TikTok.