THE GROWTH OF ESPORTS
“When I saw the esports suite on my campus tour, I
saw an environment I had never experienced. When
I entered the room I just knew Stevenson was for
me. I didn’t see this anywhere else.”
making esports a serious group on campus because while
the video games club was popular it didn’t meet the needs
of players who wanted to play more competitively, he says.
MORE THAN JUST A GAME
Mouse clicks, keyboard taps, and the occasional words of
“Having esports and the esports arena here can reach frustration fill the room three days a week for practices, with
students that Stevenson may not have been reaching official scrimmages falling on Wednesday evenings. The
otherwise,” Price explains. “I wanted to break the mold noise levels increase as the games progress. Conversation
of students not leaving their room to play video games to becomes louder. Clicks and taps become more energetic,
making a community centered on video games where people and people gather to watch the main competitor’s screen.
actually come together.” This is all part of what makes esports a team event—the
The new Esports Suite is impressive, containing 25 custom
energy is dynamic.
gaming PCs with 144hz monitors, special gaming chairs, a Price, who was a co-founder of the original Stevenson
wall-mounted flat-screen TV, and a projector. The players League of Legends (a multi-player game) team, sought to
can use the room to practice individually or within teams, build the program up by building it around that team and
or to host gaming-related events such as viewing parties, in- then branching into other games such as Overwatch (a first-
house tournaments, and more. person game). These are two of the most popular games in
“When I started here a year ago, we only had a classroom
esports competition and attract a diverse range of players.
of computers to practice with,” says League of Legends “This is a community of players for people who are striving
Coach and Esports Advisor Jonathon Neely. “Then we made to improve,” says Luke Zarcone, freshman psychology major
the move to the esports arena and it was so exciting to and esports player. “When I saw the esports suite on my
watch. Out of other participating colleges on the East Coast, campus tour, I saw an environment I had never experienced.
we are absolutely ahead in terms of facilities—we have one When I entered the room I just knew Stevenson was for me.
of the best esports rooms around.” I didn’t see this anywhere else.”
Because the sport is so new, each college manages its Sarah Kruse, a junior biochemistry major and esports team
program in differing ways. They can fall under the auspices player, says that being part of the program has benefited her
of athletic departments, student affairs, and even academic commuter student experience. “I’ve made friends here that
departments; Stevenson’s esports program currently falls I wouldn’t have otherwise, and I’ve felt nothing but support
under Club Sports. in the gaming community on campus.”
As with other sports programs, recruiting the right players In addition, as with other student athletics and club
is crucial. Currently, much of recruitment is by word of activities, the program gives students a well-rounded college
mouth, but esports programs can follow a player’s rank by education. “Esports helps you apply the skills you are
watching their game stats. Beyond identifying players who learning in the classroom, whether it’s teamwork, computer
excel, the recruiting process is similar to that of traditional building, marketing, social media, and more,” Price notes.
college sports in establishing a coach-player relationship.
And even if you don’t play, you’re always welcome to
watch. SU
STEVENSON.EDU
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