getting started: ulol organizer guide

GETTING STARTED GUIDEV2.0.0

01. GETTING STARTED - ULOL ORGANIZER GUIDE PG.6

02. PLANNING ULOL EVENTS PG.15

03. PLANNING ULOL TOURNAMENTS PG.23

04. ULOL ALUMNI AND UPCOMING GRADUATES PG.29

05. FORMS & MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION PG.32

00. WELCOME TO ULOL: A WORD FROM RIOT PG.3

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00. WELCOME TO ULOL: A WORD FROM RIOT

02. PLANNING ULOL EVENTS

05. FORMS & MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

01. GETTING STARTED - ULOL ORGANIZER GUIDE

04. ULOL ALUMNI AND UPCOMING GRADUATES

03. PLANNING ULOL TOURNAMENTS

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LEAGUE OF LEGENDS: ULOL PROGRAM HANDBOOK 4

Hi there!

Thank you for your interest in joining the League of Legends uLoL community. At Riot, our

number one goal is to be the most player-focused game company in the world, but we can’t

accomplish this mission on college campuses without your help. Whether you’re an aspiring

uLoL Organizer or simply looking to better understand the LoL collegiate

scene, we’re grateful for your enthusiasm and initiative.

Since 2012, passionate college students have worked diligently to create

local communities that come together to celebrate gaming culture and

League of Legends. This handbook is a product of their dedication and effort

throughout our years of collaboration, and we hope it provides you with a

strong foundation for your uLoL journey.

We look forward to hearing about your meaningful experiences and exciting

events. Share your story with us so we can celebrate your successes and

reflect on your learnings along with you. You can share your photos, videos,

insights, or reflections with us at [email protected].

If you have any questions, thoughts, or concerns during your time as a

member of the uLoL community, don’t hesitate to reach out any member of

the Riot uLoL Team. We’re all ready and excited to help you throughout your

journey, and we can’t wait to hear about your experiences.

The Riot uLOL Team

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A LETTER FROM THE RIOT ULOL TEAM

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LEAGUE OF LEGENDS: ULOL PROGRAM HANDBOOKLEAGUE OF LEGENDS: ULOL PROGRAM HANDBOOK 5

The University League of Legends Program (otherwise known as uLoL) was created to support and empower League of Legends

communities on college campuses all over the US and Canada. These communities are known as “uLoL Clubs” and are comprised of

passionate, enthusiastic students who share one thing in common: a love for League of Legends. Clubs are run by uLoL Organizers

who strive to create memorable and engaging experiences for all of their members through social events, tournaments, parties,

giveaways, mentor programs, and informal get-togethers. uLoL Clubs are run by students for students; Riot simply provides support and

guidance where possible.

The uLoL Program will help you either find a uLoL Club in your area or create a new one if

none are present. To see if there are any clubs on your campus, head to

http://ulol.leagueoflegends.com and select the “Find a Club” tab. While multiple

clubs are allowed at one school, we encourage you to integrate yourself into

an existing club if one has already been created.

If there is no club at your school and you’re looking to start your own,

we’re here to help! Starting a uLoL Club is completely free and can

be done anytime during annual registration period. We’ve got

a lot of free stuff, tools, and a support system to help you get

started and overcome any challenges you may face. Running

a uLoL Club isn’t easy, but creating a League of Legends

community that’s open to players of all skill levels is a really

rewarding experience.

WHAT IS THE LEAGUE OF LEGENDS ULOL PROGRAM?

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LEAGUE OF LEGENDS: COLLEGIATE PROGRAM HANDBOOK

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01. GETTING STARTED: ULOL ORGANIZER GUIDE






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WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE AN ORGANIZER?Organizers are the backbone of the uLoL Program. They are the entrepreneurial spirit and creative vision behind a successful uLoL

Club. uLoL Organizers communicate directly with Riot about all things collegiate, and are expected to be resourceful, collaborative, and

passionate. Anyone can start a League club on their campus, but successful clubs are run by groups of Organizers who understand that

teamwork is OP.

uLoL Club Organizer Manifesto

Before starting a uLoL Club on your campus, be sure to read and understand the Organizer Manifesto. The Manifesto isn’t a set of rules by

which you must abide, but rather a statement of values, intentions, and best practices that our most successful Organizers have discovered

over the years.

1. QUALITY FIRST - Commit to quality in everything you do.

Whether you’re holding a tournament or just having an

informal get together with your members, pay attention to the

details and always put your best foot forward.

2. COMMUNITY BEFORE COMPETITION - Your most valuable

assets as an Organizer are the social bonds that form amongst

the members of your club. These connections are far more

important than club achievements or competitions; put your

community first when making decisions.

3. BE INCLUSIVE - The most successful clubs are welcoming to

a wide variety of people. Make sure your club’s initiatives take

players of differing skill levels and experience into consideration.

4. COLLABORATE - It’s important to share your successes,

failures, and lessons with your fellow Organizers and Riot.

Collaboration will help you level up your club, provide you

with a support network, and get you recognition for your

accomplishments.

5. REMAIN “HUMBITIOUS” - Organizers are humble and

ambitious. Be willing to take feedback and strive to constantly

improve.

6. STAY POSITIVE - Running a collegiate club isn’t always easy.

The uLoL Program offers support and feedback for Organizers,

so don’t lose heart! v

ARE YOU A NEW ULOL ORGANIZER?

Are you an existing Organizer trying to level-up your club? Look no further! Our uLoL Organizer Guide will walk you through some of the basics of starting and running a successful uLoL Club on your campus.

GETTING STARTED: ULOL ORGANIZER GUIDE

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LEAGUE OF LEGENDS: ULOL PROGRAM HANDBOOK 8LEAGUE OF LEGENDS: ULOL PROGRAM HANDBOOK


LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE OF A ULOL CLUBCreating a uLoL Club is not a one-person job. You’ll quickly find yourself overwhelmed if you attempt to run a club by yourself, so Riot

requires that you have a minimum of two officers (including yourself) when you register with the uLoL Program. A good team of officers is

an invaluable resource, as they offer support, ideas, and a helping hand when things get hectic. We’ve provided a brief description of the

roles officers assume in most clubs, but these are just examples. If you’d like to switch up the roles and structure of your uLoL leadership

team, feel free!

President (Mandatory for Registration)

The President of a uLoL Club is typically responsible for club structure, delegation of work, and leadership. Being President means you

must work with both your members and officers on a regular basis. Co-operation, understanding, and hard work are necessary to keep

your club running smoothly.

1. Lead the club to achieve its goals for the year.

2. Preside effectively at club meetings.

3. Organize and direct the work for club officers.

4. Represent the club in local and online communities.

5. Communicate club goals and initiatives to members.

6. Resolve conflicts within the club.

7. Represent the club at Riot uLoL events and meetings.

1. The Vice President should be as knowledgeable as possible

about both the club’s administration and its programs. This

allows the Vice President to step in when the President is

absent or unable to serve.

2. The Vice President should work closely with the President in

defining and executing the goals of the club.

3. The Vice President can serve in a variety of positions; be

willing to wear lots of hats and assume various responsibilities

as needed.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PRESIDENT

OBJECTIVES OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Vice President (Mandatory for Registration)The Vice President is a highly flexible position which can be extremely valuable if utilized correctly. Typically, Vice Presidents are actively

involved in all areas of their uLoL Club and act as right hands to their club’s President.

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Treasurer (Optional)

Your Treasurer’s job is twofold; they should be responsible for

maintaining an accurate record of your club’s financial transactions

and should actively participate in the decision making process

with other officers. In addition to this, many Treasurers are also

responsible for spearheading a club’s funding initiatives. Riot

does not provide direct financial assistance to uLoL Clubs, so it’s

important that your Treasurer works closely with the rest of your

leadership team to generate the funding that your community

needs.

Secretary (Optional)

Secretaries are the organizational powerhouses behind successful

uLoL Clubs. They are typically responsible for keeping track of

things like membership records, club correspondence, meeting

minutes, and attendance records.

Event Coordinator (Optional)

Even small-scale events can take a significant amount of time

and effort to organize. Event Coordinators are there to tank any

organizational and executional elements of hosting an event,

which allows your leadership team to focus on other tasks. You

should expect your Event Coordinator to handle tasks like scouting

venue locations, event set-up, and logistical decisions.

Public Relations Manager (Optional)

Public Relations Managers are responsible for publicizing the

activities of their Club. They promote the club within their school

and local communities while also acting as the public point of

contact for any external inquiries. In addition to these tasks, PR

Managers are often in charge of building healthy relationships with

external sponsors and managing a club’s brand.

Competitive Team Organizer (Optional)

This officer is your competitive guru. If you believe that

tournaments will hold a place within your uLoL Club, you should

strongly consider finding a Competitive Team Organizer. They

should provide a program for aspiring competitive players and

facilitate competitive events at all levels of competition.


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LEAGUE OF LEGENDS: ULOL PROGRAM HANDBOOK

CREATING A ULOL CLUB IS NOT A ONE-PERSON JOB.

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How to Register a uLoL Club

If you’ve discovered that there’s no club on your campus and you believe you have what it takes to be a great Organizer, it’s time to

register! Registering a uLoL Club is simple, but there are a few things you should have ready before you start:

1. Identify who your fellow officers will be, and get their name, university email, summoner name, year of graduation, and date of birth.

2. Compile basic information about your university.

3. If your club already exists and you are simply re-registering for a new academic year, compile your club’s basic information.

4. (Optional) Write up a club charter that maps out your club’s basic bylaws, mission statement, and officer duties as well as election/

removal procedures. An example charter can be found in the “Forms & Misc. Information” section of this handbook. This is not a

requirement to register, but it will help your members understand your club’s expectations.

5. (Optional) Reach out to a member of your school’s faculty prior to starting the club. While this isn’t a mandatory step in the

registration process, a Faculty Advisor should be able to help you navigate any roadblocks that arise with your school or

administration.

Once you’ve compiled this information, head over to the Club Registration page (located here: http://ulol.leagueoflegends.com/registration.

html) and fill out the registration form. After you submit your application, you’ll receive a notification letting you know that you’ve been

accepted into the uLoL Program! If you do not receive this notification or experience any other issues, feel free to reach out to us at

[email protected].

No team is complete without a solid Support, which is where we come in. Riot will provide the following to clubs that successfully

complete registration:

RIOT SUPPORT FOR ULOL CLUBS

A “ULOL RECRUITMENT KIT”

This kit contains enough League of Legends swag to help you

kick off your first couple of events as a new uLoL Club. uLoL

Recruitment Kits are only offered during the uLoL Program’s

pre-registration phase, which lasts from the beginning of June

through the end of July.

A PLATFORM

An exclusive platform to share your ideas and connect with

hundreds of uLoL organizers across North America.

SUPPORT

Ongoing specialized support and information from Riot to assist

you with your uLoL journey

SPECIAL TOURNAMENTS

Opportunities to participate in official uLoL sanctioned

tournaments, such as the uLoL Campus Series

ROTATING EVENT OFFERINGS

Monthly rotating event offerings to enhance your club experience


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ULOL REGISTRATION FAQ’S

Q: Do I have to have an already-established club to register?

A No, you don’t! Registering your club is a great way to set

the foundation and start growing a community at your

school.

Q: How can I figure out if my school already has a club?

A Use the uLoL website to discover if your school has a

pre-existing uLoL Club. Head to the “Find a Club” tab

(located here: http://ulol.leagueoflegends.com/find-a-club.

html) and use the interactive map to find your university.

Red icons on the map indicate existing clubs and can be

clicked on to reveal additional information.

Q: I’m not a full-time student at a university. Can I start a club?

A Part-time students are welcome to start a club, but you

need to be registered with your university and currently

attending classes.

Q: I registered my club last year. Do I have to register every year?

A We start off every academic year with a blank slate. That

means we need you to register your officers and send in

your charter even if it’s the same as last year. If none of

this info has changed, registration should be a breeze!

Q: My school is located in a country outside the US and Canada. Can I register my club?

A If you’re from a country outside of the NA Region, email

[email protected] and we’ll do our best to get you

in touch with someone from your region. Just keep in

mind that each region runs their uLoL Program a little

differently.

Q: How can I update my club’s information after I’ve already registered?

A Head to http://ulol.leagueoflegends.com and click on the

“Edit Club” button to view and edit your club’s current

information.

Q: How many officers can my club have?

A A uLoL Club can only have 5 registered officers in the

uLoL Program. If you have a particularly large club and

would like to have unofficial officers in addition to your

registered 5, that’s fine with us!

Q: Can high school students register their clubs?

A Right now registration is just for college communities and

we’re not supporting high school clubs in the same way.


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THE ULOL PROGRAM RULES

uLoL Clubs are not directly managed by Riot, but there are some

guidelines that we need you to follow as a member of the Riot

uLoL Program. We know that no one likes a ton of rules, so we’ve

done our best to only implement ones that are necessary to

ensure the longevity and spirit of the uLoL Program. If you have

any questions or concerns about these rules, please reach out to

us at [email protected].

Community Participation

One of the perks of being in the uLoL Program is gaining access

to communication platforms that are reserved for uLoL Organizers

and Rioters. When posting in these places there are a few rules we

need you to keep in mind:

1. Don’t share your fellow Organizers’ personal information

without their consent. You may be approached by companies,

media, or other people looking to get in contact with uLoL

clubs and Organizers, but you should not share this kind of

information without first gaining permission from the club/

organizer in question.

2. Be respectful when posting or commenting. If you’re unsure

about how to conduct yourself, please check out the

Universal Rules for clarity.

3. The information shared on private uLoL communication

platforms (facebook, forums, etc.) should remain private.

We’ve created these groups to give Organizers a safe place

to communicate candidly with each other and with Riot, so it’s

imperative that this rule is respected by members to ensure

the integrity of the uLoL Program. If you’re unsure about what

can or cannot be shared outside of the private platforms,

please reach out to us at [email protected] for clarity.

4. No soliciting/advertising in the private uLoL groups.

Branding & Logo Use

1. Please refrain from using the Riot Games logo on promotional

material. If you would like to brand your event/club, you are

welcome to use the uLoL logo or the League of Legends logo.

If you choose to use the uLoL or League of Legends logo,

please do not alter the logos in anyway.

2. Unless explicitly stated, Riot Games does not officially sponsor

uLoL events. Please refrain from stating that Riot is an official

sponsor of your club or its activities.

3. While we greatly appreciate all of our uLoL clubs and

Organizers, being a member of the uLoL Program does not

mean that you are a Riot employee. Please refrain from stating

or insinuating that you work for Riot on professional

resumes/networks.

Riot Swag

We occasionally provide uLoL Clubs with swag to support their

growth and success. You’re free to give away these items as you

see fit, but there are a few things you can’t do with the swag/in-

game items that Riot provides:

1. Don’t resell swag/in-game items that Riot sends you.

2. Refrain from using the items to directly generate profit for you

or your club. An example of this would be selling raffle tickets

to club members for a chance to win a hoodie that we’ve sent.

Please note that this differs from something like charging a

cover for an event where hoodies are being given away, as

your members are paying for the event experience, and not for

the merchandise directly.


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Find Your Partners

Hunt down a faculty advisor, student

activities committee or student government

that can help you navigate university

policies and processes. Talk to student group

organizers at your school or LoL club organizers

at other schools to find additional support from

those who have done this before.

Build a Community

Whether you’re seeking official recognition from your school or

forming a casual LoL meetup group, you’ll need members. Seek out

friends, LoL players and students looking for an inviting, like-minded

community. University recognition may give you great perks, but it’s

not required to build an awesome community.

Create a Club Email Address

When registering for the uLoL Program, we strongly encourage you to create an official email

address for your club that is separate from your personal email address. Creating an official

email address will ensure that your club appears professional, is able to stay in contact with

Riot after you graduate, and will also ensure that there’s a place for your club members to

contact your leadership team if needed.

GENERAL SUGGESTIONS FOR NEW ULOL ORGANIZERS

Now that you’ve registered for the uLoL Program, you may find yourself thinking: “Okay...now what do I do?”. Getting started can seem like

a daunting task if you’re new to running a uLoL Club, but with patience and a little bit of support, you’ll be well on your way. Look around

your school and you’ll likely see many similar clubs. They’ll usually have a constitution/charter, a leadership team and a faculty advisor. If

they can do it, so can you. Check out these tips.

LOOK AROUND YOUR SCHOOL AND YOU’LL LIKELY SEE MANY SIMILAR CLUBS. THEY’LL USUALLY HAVE A CONSTITUTION/CHARTER, A LEADERSHIP TEAM AND A FACULTY ADVISOR. IF THEY CAN DO IT, SO CAN YOU.


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Get Recognition

University recognition usually comes with perks like tables at school fairs and the ability to request rooms, resources or funding, so your

events won’t be lacking in PCs, space or snacks. Every university has a different recognition process, but you’ll likely need the following to

become an officially recognized club:

1. EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP: It’s the job of you and your officers

to ensure your club is running smoothly. Clubs that are well

organized and actively seek to generate visibility amongst

their local communities will have a stronger case when talking

to their administrations about official recognition.

2. A FACULTY ALLY: Playing League of Legends is a fantastic

way for students to hang out and socialize in a positive, team-

building environment. Reinforcing this with familiar professors

on your campus will likely earn you some invaluable faculty

allies.

3. A CLUB CHARTER: Club Charters are also known as

Constitutions, and they should detail your club goals, officer

duties, and other awesome initiatives your club is working on.

If your Charter is well thought out, detailed, and compelling,

you’ll likely have an easier time recruiting members and

getting recognition.

4. MEMBERS: A club needs members. There are likely tons of

League of Legends players at your school, but they won’t

know about your club unless you drum up awareness.

Proactively seek out like-minded students and players on

your campus by utilizing digital mailing lists, flyers, or your

university message boards (with school approval, of course).

5. OFFICIAL FORMS: Most universities have an official

registration form that must be completed to become a

recognized campus club, but it’s important that you don’t

rush into this step. Clubs that have established themselves

as legitimate student groups prior to requesting official

recognition typically have a much easier time when dealing

with their administrations.

6. ACCOUNTABILITY: Don’t forget to follow up once you’ve

submitted your application. Paperwork can take time, but it’s

important that you periodically check on the progress of your

application to ensure nothing slips through the cracks. If you

aren’t able to get university recognition right away, don’t give

up! Asking the office or committee for feedback about your

denied application will increase your chances for approval at a

later date. Keep trying!


Collaborate

Being registered in the uLoL Program gives you the ability to connect not only with Riot, but with hundreds of other experienced, talented,

and passionate uLoL Organizers. While it might be tempting to run things on your own, tapping into this support network will provide you

with ideas, feedback, friendships, and visibility, so we encourage you to collaborate with us and your fellow Organizers when possible. Post

your photos, videos, reflections on your events and experiences...we want to know how you’re doing!

The best place to connect with your fellow Organizers is in the uLoL Officers Forum. This is a closed community, so it’s a safe place for you

to ask questions, share experiences, and meet new people. If you’re a member of the uLoL Program and you would like to participate, head

over to http://ulol.leagueoflegends.com and click on the “Officers Forum” tab. This tab will only be visible if you’re a registered officer. Once

you have a forum account, you’ll be free to talk with your fellow Organizers and the Riot uLoL Team. If your contribution is something you

only want Riot to see, you’re always welcome to email [email protected] to get in touch with us directly.

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One of the most rewarding parts of running a uLoL Club is hosting events for your members. League events come in all shapes and sizes

and don’t have to be competitive; social events are great opportunities for players to gather, hang out and learn how to play. Regardless

of format, events are your most effective tool for building and fostering social connections in your club. In addition to making new friends,

hosting events will generate visibility for your club and can even result in some extra special support from Riot. Whatever your event,

these tips will help you make it awesome.

Be Inclusive

When planning your events and meetups, make sure that you’re taking people of all skill levels into consideration. This is particularly

important during the first few months of the school year, or during the first few months after you create your club. If your events are too

competitive, you risk alienating members who are new to League of Legends or looking for a more casual experience. Try hosting coaching

sessions, non-gaming hangout time, and fun custom games when possible.

Be Consistent & Reliable Consider hosting events that occur on a regular basis. Your members will appreciate the structure and this will reinforce that social

connections are a priority in your club. Most importantly, be reliable. You will quickly lose members if you aren’t following through with your

planned events.

Plan Your Events

Unplanned meetups will happen in a uLoL Club (and are often tons of fun), but putting time and effort into planning out the details of your

events will ensure that your members have the experience you’re envisioning. Think about things like communication, activities, funding,

timing, and location.

Advertise

People can’t attend your event if they don’t know about it. Use mailing lists, flyers, and social media

to advertise your event and maximize attendance. Be sure to include important information like

date, time, location, and event theme. You may even end up with some new members as a

result!

Over Prepare

It’s always better to be over-prepared, so try to have

enough food, swag, and PC’s for all of your members

when hosting events. If it’s a BYOC (Bring Your Own

Computer) event, assume someone will forget - it’s

human nature.

PLANNING ULOL EVENTS


Feed the Masses

It’s hard to game or socialize when you’re hungry. Your members will greatly appreciate any food that you can provide, even if it’s just pre-

game snacks. You may even be able to get some free food and drink for university-sponsored events, so be sure to talk to your Resident

Advisor or Faculty Advisor.

Giveaways

Getting free stuff is one of the coolest parts of being in a uLoL Club. If you effectively utilize the support that we provide clubs, you’ll likely

see an increase in event participation and club membership.

Ask For Help

If you’re new to hosting events, they can feel overwhelming to plan. If you find yourself unsure of how to proceed, or if you’re just looking for

feedback about your event execution, don’t be afraid to ask your fellow Organizers for help!


REGARDLESS OF FORMAT, EVENTS ARE YOUR MOST EFFECTIVE TOOL FOR BUILDING AND FOSTERING SOCIAL CONNECTIONS IN YOUR CLUB.

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SELECTING YOUR EVENT LOCATION

Deciding where to host your uLoL event is a critical part of the planning process. Think about the theme of your event and the vibe

you want to create. Once you’ve decided on your desired atmosphere, select a location that will best support it. Here are some helpful

questions to ask yourself (or your planning committee) to help determine an event location:

Here are some ideas for possible event locations in your area:

0 Are there any fees associated with the location? If so, can we afford them?

0 Is the location big enough to accommodate all of our anticipated guests?

0 Is the location too big for the number of anticipated guests?

0 Is the location age appropriate?

0 Are there any weather concerns?

0 Does the location have the setup and equipment we need? (PCs, screens, AV equipment etc.)

0 Does the location support our desired theme and atmosphere?

0 Is the location available on the day/night we want to host the event?

CAMPUS LOCATIONS

» PC lab

» Classrooms

» Student activity center

» Multipurpose rooms

» Sports field

» Campus theatre

» Dorms

COMMUNITY LOCATIONS

» Casual restaurants

» Coffee shops

» LAN centers

» Parks

» Hotel ballrooms

» Hotel conference/meeting rooms

» Local theatres


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ULOL EVENT IDEAS

Over the years we’ve seen our Organizers host some incredible events for their uLoL Clubs. If you’re looking for inspiration, here are

some examples of events that you can throw at your school.

League Gaming Nights

League is better with friends! Get your members together for casual

LoL games on a Friday or Saturday night (or any night, if you’re

feeling adventurous) and be sure to provide snacks and drinks if

possible. Pick a location that has internet capabilities for your PCs/

Laptops, and let your members know if it’s a BYOC event.

Coaching Sessions

Often times people join a uLoL Club because they’re looking to play

with other members who can help them improve their LoL skills. If

you have experienced LoL players in your club, consider pairing

them with new players in regular coaching sessions. These events

are often more structured than other get-togethers your club might

host, and are a great way to solidify the value that your club brings

to your school.

Viewing Parties

Watching eSports as a group is a fantastic way to socialize without

ever having to play a match. Find a location that has a big screen,

enough room, and internet capabilities, and you’ll be well on your

way to hosting a party your members won’t soon forget.

Cosplay

League players love cosplay. If there is enough interest in your club,

you can host a Cosplay event, or you can simply work a Cosplay

showcase/competition into an existing event you have planned.

Ideally, you should give your club plenty of advance warning to

work on their costumes, and you should have swag or other prizes

available to award to your winners.


LEAGUE PLAYERS LOVE COSPLAY.

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Tournaments

Some clubs are more interested in tournament play than

socializing… and that’s ok! If you have experienced LoL players

looking to prove themselves on the Rift, consider hosting a

tournament. For more information on how to do this, check out the

“Planning Collegiate Tournaments” section of this handbook.

Themed Team Comp Nights

Not all League of Legends matches need to be serious. Your

members will likely enjoy an opportunity to break the current meta

with Themed Team Comp Nights. Yordles vs Pentakill? The Dunk

Squad vs Ninjas? Sounds like an awesome Friday night to us. Ask

your members to come up with fun themed comps and try playing

them against each other. You might be surprised

what you come up with!

Board Game Nights

While this isn’t necessarily LoL focused, it’s good to plan social

events for your club that encourage interacting in a variety of ways.

Find some of your members’ favorite board games and get them

having fun together in a whole new way.

Themed Holiday Parties

Planning events around major holidays is a great way to rally your

club. Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day are great times of

the year to throw Themed Holiday Parties, as there are often similar

celebrations happening in League of Legends during those times. If

you do this, be mindful of the various cultures within your club; not

all members will celebrate the same holidays, so don’t be afraid

to think outside of the box and include holidays from around

the world.

Off Campus Viewing Parties

Want to watch e-sports matches on something other than your

dorm room monitors? Do you love good food and drinks, but can’t

front the bill for your entire club? You may want to consider hosting

a local Viewing Party for your group. Find a local restaurant/bar

that suits your needs and reach out to the staff to book the venue.

Restaurants will often be willing to accommodate your group for a

minimal cost, just be sure your group is tipping well!

Fantasy League of Legends

Does your club love Fantasy LCS? If so, consider getting together

with your members for draft day, weekly roster discussions, and

friendly competition! The excitement of setting a winning roster is

only made better by good food and drinks, so be sure to feed your

members for this type of event if possible.


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RIOT SUPPORT FOR ULOL EVENTS

If you’re hosting an in-person tournament and looking for prizes, we’ve got your back. The Community Events program will provide RP

prizes and tournament-exclusive skins to the winners of uLoL tournaments, as long as you successfully register first. For more information

about the Community Events program, please check out the “Planning uLoL Tournaments” section of this handbook.

Support for Social Events

We don’t currently have a program to support social events, but if you’re planning something extra special, we may be able to help. To

request support from Riot for your large-scale social event, we require that you email a proposal to [email protected] at least 45 days prior

to the start of your event. The sooner you let us know about what you’re planning, the more likely it is that we can help you! The proposal

should contain the following information:

As a general rule, the more information you give us, the better. Submitting a proposal does not guarantee that Riot will be able to support your event, but we can’t make a decision without understanding what you’re planning. Once you’ve submitted your proposal, expect a response from us within 2-4 weeks.

Share Your Results

If you’ve thrown an incredible event, please make

sure to share your results with Riot and the uLoL

community. Your experiences will help other

Organizers create memorable events of their

own, and we want to know how things went for

you! Post your photos, recommendations,

lessons, and stories with us once your

event is complete. We may even be able

to share your experience with the wider

League of Legends community!

1. Your name and contact information

2. Your club name, size, and the university you attend

3. The goals of your event (what are you trying to accomplish?)

4. Your vision for the event (what does your event look like?)

5. The execution plans for your event and the expected number of

attendees

6. Desired support from Riot (are you looking for swag? Rioters

to attend your event? General advice regarding planning/

execution?)

7. Examples of previous events you’ve hosted, if any


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ULOL EVENT FAQ’S

Q: Can Riot sponsor our event?

A Unfortunately, no. While we may provide swag or other support, this does not mean that your event is sponsored by Riot. Please

refrain from advertising that Riot Games or League of Legends is a sponsor for your event.

Q: Can Riot donate swag for our event or tournament?

A If you’re hosting an in-person tournament, check out our Community Events program here: http://events.na.leagueoflegends.com.

We typically do not provide extra swag or giveaways for social events unless you’re hosting something extra special. For more

information, please check out the “Riot Support for uLoL Events” section of this handbook.

Q: Can a Riot representative speak or host a booth at our event?

A This is something we decide on a case-by-case basis, but please know that it’s not something we typically do. Thousands of uLoL

events happen every year and there just aren’t enough Rioters to attend them all. For more information, please check out the “Riot

Support for uLoL Events” section of this handbook.

Q: I’ve never hosted an event before, and I’m totally lost. Who can I ask for help?

A While it may be tempting to ask us for help, your best bet is actually your fellow Organizers. Most of them have been in your

shoes before, so they are best suited to offer suggestions, advice, and guidance to help you find your feet. You can contact other

Organizers by joining the uLoL Officer’s Forum.


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WHILE IT MAY BE TEMPTING TO ASK US FOR HELP, YOUR BEST BET IS ACTUALLY YOUR FELLOW ORGANIZERS.

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01. GETTING STARTED: ULOL ORGANIZER


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League of Legends is a competitive game, so creating a tournament experience for your uLoL community can be a fun way for players to

make connections and test their skills. If you have uLoL Campus Series aspirations, a consistent local tournament circuit creates a fun and

healthy infrastructure to grow and foster competitive talent.

Online Tournaments vs. Offline Tournaments

Online events are exactly what their name implies: a League of Legends

tournament played exclusively online, with no physical presence of attendees

required. Online events are ideal if you are on a tight budget or timeline, as

they are much simpler to execute. Unfortunately, online events don’t offer the

opportunity to meet your teammates or competitors face-to-face, which can

feel less exciting than an in-person event. There are also unique challenges

around verifying player identities and enforcing rules, but these can be overcome

with thorough planning. Additionally, online events are not eligible for support

through the Community Events Program.

Offline events (often referred to as “LAN events”), are tournaments

that require competitors to physically attend. These events

are much more complicated to host, as you have to take into

consideration all of the logistics of a physical event in addition

to creating a set-up that’s conducive to competitive play.

However, offline events offer something that online events

can’t: a strong sense of community and the opportunity to

create valuable in-person connections.

1. What kind of tournament do we want to run?

2. What’s the scale and scope of this tournament?

3. How do we want to execute this tournament in order to make

it fun and fair for everyone?

4. What kind of support can we get for this tournament?

5. Should we host our tournament online or offline?

Before you dive into running a tournament, it’s important to gather your team and ask yourselves some important questions:

PLANNING ULOL TOURNAMENTS

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TOURNAMENT FORMATS

To give you an understanding of your options, here are the most commonly used competitive tournament structures:

SINGLE ELIMINATION - This is a type of elimination tournament where the loser of each bracket is immediately eliminated from winning

the championship or first prize in the event. This format is quick and easy to understand, but often leave competitors feeling dissatisfied

with their loss/win.

DOUBLE ELIMINATION - This is a type of elimination tournament competition in which a participant ceases to be eligible to win the

tournament’s championship upon having lost two games or matches. It stands in contrast to a single-elimination tournament, in which

only one defeat results in elimination. This format will typically take twice as long as a single elimination tournament, as competitors are

playing double the matches.

SWISS - A Swiss-system tournament is a tournament which uses a non-elimination format. There are several rounds of competition, but

each competitor (team or individual) does not play every other competitor. Competitors meet one-to-one in each round and are paired

using a predetermined set of rules designed to ensure that as far as possible a competitor plays competitors with the same current score,

subject to not playing the same opponent more than once. The winner is the competitor with the highest aggregate points earned in all

rounds. Everyone plays the same number of games. This format typically provides the best experience for competitors, but it is the most

difficult format from a logistical standpoint.

ROUND ROBIN - A round-robin tournament is a competition in which each participant plays every other participant once. If each

participant plays all others twice, this is frequently referred to as a “double round-robin”. While this format is considered one of the fairest

for competitors, it can also take a very long time to complete.

Once you have decided on a format, the next big question is around execution.

The format of your tournament is a direct reflection of the experience you are trying to impart upon your competitors and attendees.

There are lots of different tournament formats that you can use, but what you select will ultimately determine the perceived “fairness” of

your event and the number of matches you’ll be playing. As an example, a best-of-1 single elimination tournament is the fastest but can

leave players feeling like they didn’t get enough of a competitive chance. By contrast, a best-of-3 Round Robin will likely seem more “fair”

to players, but it is a much longer format and can result in player fatigue from the sheer volume of games.

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THERE ARE LOTS OF DIFFERENT TOURNAMENT FORMATS THAT YOU CAN USE, BUT WHAT YOU SELECT WILL ULTIMATELY DETERMINE THE PERCEIVED “FAIRNESS” OF YOUR EVENT AND THE NUMBER OF MATCHES YOU’LL BE PLAYING.

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LEAGUE OF LEGENDS: ULOL PROGRAM HANDBOOKLEAGUE OF LEGENDS: ULOL PROGRAM HANDBOOK


TOURNAMENT SCALE AND SCOPE

Defining scale and scope are key pieces of successful tournament

planning, especially for tournaments.

Before we dig into how, let’s define these two variables:

Scale is the size of the event in terms of its participants. Simply put,

how many people do you need to plan for? Here are some rough

numbers to give you an idea of scale:

» SMALL SCALE - 10 - 50 competitors

» MEDIUM SCALE - 50 - 200 competitors

» LARGE SCALE - 200 - 500 competitors

» VERY LARGE SCALE - 500 + competitors

Scope is the size of the event in terms of complexity

of execution. Simply put, how many variables are in

play and how much help are you going to need to make

sure those variables are executed well? Here are some

examples using the tournament formats above:

» LOW SCOPE - 1 single-elimination, best-of-1

bracket, that takes place in a single room

» HIGH SCOPE - 3 round-robin, best-of-3 brackets,

happening simultaneously across three separate rooms

The more people who are directly involved in the event, the more complex it will

be to execute. Scale and scope are closely tied together, and it’s important to

keep both in mind while planning. Make sure you and your teams are aligned on

what you can handle throughout the entire process.

As a general rule it is always better to start small, as this will allow you to focus

on clean execution. Running a small tournament well will build trust amongst

your competitors and give your team confidence and experience.

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TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

When choosing a location for your tournament there are some important requirements to keep in mind to ensure that your competitors

have the best possible experience:

MINIMUM COMPUTER SPECIFICATIONS

» 2 GHz processor

» 1 GB RAM (Windows Vista and 7 users will want 2 GB of RAM or more)

» 8 GB available hard disk space

» Shader version 2.0 capable video card

» Support for DirectX v9.0c or better

» Windows XP (Service Pack 2 or 3 ONLY), Windows Vista, or Windows 7

SUGGESTED COMPUTER SPECIFICATIONS

» 3 GHz processor

» 2 GB of RAM (Windows Vista and 7 users should use 4 GB of RAM or more.)

» 12 GB available hard disk space

» Nvidia GeForce 8800/AMD Radeon HD 5670 or equivalent video card (Dedicated GPU with 512MB+ Video Memory (VRAM))

» Support for DirectX v9.0c or better.

» Windows XP with the latest service pack installed, Windows Vista with the latest service pack installed, or Windows 7

INTERNET REQUIREMENTS League of Legends doesn’t require that much to play, especially if you are playing on campus internet. All you need is .5 mb down and.5

mb up per computer, most schools have huge dedicated lines providing upwards of 100 down / 100 up.

Now that you have an idea of tournament structures and event scale, it’s time to start looking into the resources available to you.

While planning your event, be realistic. What are the capabilities of your school? Do you have a computer lab? How many players can you

get into games? How much space do you have? How long can you book the space for? All of these questions are important to consider

when executing a tournament.

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WHILE PLANNING YOUR EVENT, BE REALISTIC. WHAT ARE THE CAPABILITIES OF YOUR SCHOOL? DO YOU HAVE A COMPUTER LAB?

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Installing League of Legends

When playing on school computers, you might find that every time you restart the computer, you have to reinstall League of Legends.

This is usually because of a software called DeepFreeze which is used to keep computers safe from viruses and other malicious programs

by returning it to the same save state every time it restarts.

League can easily be installed on a flash drive (USB) by copying and pasting the League of Legends folder from your home computer

(usually located at C:\Riot Games\League of Legends) to the drive. When you go to the computer lab, copy the League of Legends folder

to the desktop and pass it along to the next person.

Computer Labs

A tournament can be difficult to run if players have to bring their own computers. It can lead to all sorts of technical issues that may be

out of your control. Computer labs are a great way to get around this problem, as they usually have decent computers and great internet

connections. Make sure to get approval from your computer lab’s administrator before using it to host a big event.

Riot Support For uLoL Tournaments

If you’re looking to get support from Riot for your in-person tournament, it’s time to register for the Community Events Program.

Community Events are a way to unlock RP rewards for your tournament as well as the coveted Tournament Ryze skin. To register,

you must have a minimum of at least 8 teams. The program supports in-person 5v5 Rift matches, as well as 1v1, Twisted

Treeline and even ARAM tournaments. To get started, head over to the official Community Events page here:

http://events.na.leagueoflegends.com/

A frequent request we get from players is for access to a Tournament

or LAN client for their event. Unfortunately, these services just aren’t

designed to scale. We only use these special clients Riot sanctioned

events like the LCS Finals, and don’t have the technology or team in

place to offer it to other tournaments.

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Graduation is a time to celebrate all of your academic accomplishments. If you’re a uLoL Organizer, it’s also a time of transition. As you

head towards graduation, it’s important to remember that you’ll need to prepare your uLoL club for its next leaders. The more time you

give your club to prepare, the better off they will be after you move on. Typically, the transition process begins immediately after winter

break. During this period, you and your officers should try to tackle each of the following tasks:

» Archive paperwork, correspondence and any other important records. This information will likely be important to your successors.

» Most clubs have an election process that they use to determine their next set of leaders. Decide when the election will be and lock

down your procedures well in advance of the vote.

» Document your club’s current best practices. New leaders are often unfamiliar with the strategies used to ensure success, so take

the time to write this information down. It’s helpful to also document information about Officer roles and responsibilities as well. The

more detail you and your leadership team provide, the more helpful your guide will be for the incoming team.

» Pen a strategy guide of your own! What are best practices for Club President? Treasurer? Make sure it’s fine-tuned to your club and

your school. The more detail you and your leadership team provide, the more helpful your guide will be for the incoming team.

Club Elections

If your club is planning on holding an election to choose new leaders, here are some helpful tips that will help you prepare.

» When selecting dates for the election, be aware of things like holidays and other major events. You want as many members of your

club to attend the election as possible, so choose a date that does not coincide with times of the year when members are away from

campus.

» Promote the election. If your members aren’t aware that a vote is happening, their voices

won’t be heard.

» Ensure the nominees for Officer positions are the best candidates, rather than the most popular ones. Keep the Organizer Manifesto

in mind when selecting nominees.

» Share the voting dates and rules with your club members.

» It’s important to set expectations for your club members and future leadership, so be sure to set a timetable for the transition of

responsibilities.

» Create an official document that will formally transition leadership from one class of Officers to the next.

As you get ready to move on to the next phase of your life, be prepared to shift from a leadership role into an advisory one. It may be

tough to leave something you’ve invested so much time into, but it’s vital for the prosperity of your club. Stand by to field questions and

share insights with the new Officers, but also be prepared to step back when the new folks take the reins and start calling the shots.

ULOL ALUMNI AND UPCOMING GRADUATES

IT MAY BE TOUGH TO LEAVE SOMETHING YOU’VE INVESTED SO MUCH TIME INTO, BUT IT’S VITAL FOR THE PROSPERITY OF YOUR CLUB.

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ALUMNI PARTICIPATION IN THE ULOL PROGRAMThe uLoL Program is intended for currently registered college students, but we understand that uLoL Alumni have valuable experience

and insight that new Organizers can benefit from. Because of this, we welcome Alumni to participate in the uLoL Program in an a

dvisory role.

uLoL Alumni can remain in the private uLoL groups for up to a year after graduation, serving as advisors and mentors. After a year, Alumni

will be moved to a private Facebook Group for uLoL Alums. This group provides a safe place for uLoL Alumni to continue to network and

collaborate with each other long after their graduation date has passed. Alumni who go above and beyond to help new Organizers may

also be invited to take an active role in community events, so we encourage you to participate if you can!

ULOL ALUMNI AND UPCOMING GRADUATES

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Here are a few fun ways you can support your legacy and participate in the uLoL Program after graduation:

» Volunteer to mentor new Organizers in a one on one environment.

» Answer Organizer questions in the private Collegiate group.

» Create guides that detail how to successfully manage clubs (events, tournaments, general best practices, etc.).

» Let us know if you would be interested in writing stories/articles about your experience as a uLoL Organizer by sending an email to

[email protected]. We may have opportunities for you!

While we would love for all of our Alumni to stick around forever, we have to make sure that we’re giving new Organizers the opportunity

to lead and grow. As you transition into a new phase of your life, we want you to know how much we appreciate all of your contributions!

AS YOU TRANSITION INTO A NEW PHASE OF YOUR LIFE, WE WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS!

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FORMS & MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

We’ve compiled a list of templates and forms that you may need during your time as a uLoL Organizer. Use the links below to access them

as needed. If you find that a link is not working, please let us know by sending an email to [email protected].

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ULOL WEBSITE: For club/officer registration, Officer Forum, news,

club locations and more. http://ulol.leagueoflegends.com/

EXAMPLE CHARTER http://tinyurl.com/CollegiateLoLCharterTemplate

ALUMNI FACEBOOK GROUP https://www.facebook.com/groups/447456738597809/

ULOL FACEBOOK PAGE https://www.facebook.com/universityleagueoflegends/

ULOL TWITTER www.twitter.com/ulol

ULOL YOUTUBE www.youtube.com/ulol

getting started: ulol organizer guide

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