Collegiate Sports Management Group (CSMG) has partnered with Cisco to launch a ‘Pit Crew’ certification programme for students, focusing specifically on the technical operations of collegiate esports. The initiative, announced as part of Cisco’s role as a Corporate Champion Sponsor for CECC May Madness 2026, is designed to create new career pathways by training students for the crucial behind-the-scenes roles that ensure the smooth running of high-level competitive gaming events.

The Cisco Pit Crew programme is inspired by Cisco’s work with the McLaren Formula 1 team. It will select students from 12 schools to form elite campus tech teams. These students will receive exclusive jerseys, access to Cisco Networking Academy courses, and specialised esports infrastructure training. Upon completion, they will be awarded a Cisco Pit Crew Certification. The experience will culminate at the CECC May Madness 2026 championship, where a dedicated pit area will feature interactive simulations based on F1-inspired challenges, focusing on networking and latency management for esports environments.

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Angela Bernhard Thomas, Chief Esports Officer at EsportsU, highlighted the programme’s alignment with the growth of esports in education, stating, “The Cisco Pit Crew extends that momentum by offering tech-savvy students a role behind the scenes—just as important as players and coaches.”

This partnership signals a continued trend of major non-endemic brands investing in the collegiate esports space. CSMG has previously secured partnerships with brands such as McDonald’s and the US Army, while PlayVS has landed deals with sports leagues like the NFL, the NHL, and NASCAR, indicating the sector’s evolution from a campus engagement tool into a commercially viable property.