Reflections Magazine Issue #87 - Fall 2018 | Page 9

Campus Feature
Siena Heights Joins eSports Movement
Saints to Add Scholarship Sport Starting in Fall 2018
Siena Heights University announced it is starting an eSports
program that will begin play in fall 2018.
“We believe that adding eSports would be a good addition to
our campus and community,” said SHU President Sister Peg Albert,
OP, PhD. “We must make sure we execute it in a manner to make
students successful on the playing field, on campus and in the
community. According to our research, we are at the beginning
of a movement for small colleges and universities to add eSports
to their campus.”
A feasibility study for eSports (also known as competitive gam-
ing) was conducted in fall 2017 by a cross-disciplinary feasibility
committee composed of leaders representing Student Life and
Athletics, Academics, Academic Advising, Admissions and Informa-
tion Technology. This committee gathered extensive information,
including how eSports would impact the athletic, academic, finan-
cial and student life areas of SHU.
President Albert said the decision was made to move forward
with eSports based on the findings of the committee. It will be a
scholarship sport.
“We first asked if competitive gaming fit the mission of Siena
Heights University, because this is not just about increasing enroll-
ment, but also expanding the mission of this institution,” she said.
“We believe eSports will not only provide opportunities to a new
group of students at Siena Heights, but will help build community,
which is what we are all about.”
SHU Athletic Director Fred Smith several area universities have
started similar programs.
“The definition of ‘athletics’ is constantly changing with the
times, and I know competitive gaming is a growing among college
students,” Smith said. “I am excited
about the possibilities it presents for
Siena Heights.”
In August, Thomas Goodman (left)
was hired as SHU’s new ESports coach
and director. Goodman, who served as
an assistant and then interim head men’s
soccer coach at Siena Heights last fall,
is an avid gamer. He was runner-up in
Tetris at the 1990 Nintendo World Cham-
pionships, and also took part in several
Nintendo PowerFest events. A former professional soccer player
and Olympic-caliber mountain biker, Goodman also continued to
be active in the competitive gaming world. He competed in several
Counter Strike competitions and earned a top 100 ranking. From
2005-08, he competed in several eSport tournaments such as the
World Cyber Games, and made it to the top 10 list in several games.
He was also a beta tester for several games while working in
computer programming and design positions. Goodman is excited
to bring his experience to Siena Heights.
Goodman earned his bachelor’s degree in education founda-
tions from the University of Oregon and master’s degree in recre-
ation and sport pedagogy with a focus in soccer coaching from
Ohio University. He is currently working towards his doctorate in
higher education and leadership at Concordia University.
“We are pleased to have Thomas start the eSports program at
Siena Heights this fall,” said SHU Athletic Director Fred Smith.
“He has extensive gaming experience, and also has experience
coaching college athletes. We believe we have someone who can
grow and develop this emerging sport here at Siena Heights.”
SHU will add Rocket, League League of Legends and Overwatch
to its initial offering of games. The program has also become a
member of the National Association of Collegiate Esports organiza-
tion. SHU becomes the first program in Michigan to do so. NACE
organizes its own competitive leagues for each of these titles, and
connects collegiate esports programs across the country, enforcing
a code of conduct similar to the National Association of Intercol-
legiate Athletics (NAIA).
“We will be very thoughtful on which types of games our stu-
dents will be playing,” President Albert said. “Like all of our other
athletic programs, the competitive experience for eSports must fit
the mission of Siena Heights University. And although this is cer-
tainly a non-traditional sport, it builds some of the same skills as
our other athletic programs, such as teamwork, the ability to think
critically and solve problems. The fact that eSports is a coeduca-
tional program was another favorable consideration.”
The University is investing approximately $200,000 in technol-
ogy, facility upgrades and personnel to begin the program. Space
on the third floor of Dominican Hall is currently undergoing ren-
ovations and will become the new eSports arena for the Saints
this fall. u
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