By: Alaina Schmitt
The esports world is rapidly growing, and Bellarmine is joining the list of 175 universities across the U.S. that have an esports team. In addition, the school recently added an esports minor for those interested in furthering their educational and professional experience on the subject.
Esports, or competitive video games, is competitive like any other sport, but it's unique because it’s online.
“What makes it unique is the online aspect,” Bellarmine esports president Connor Goodman said. “You are at your house competing. You practice six or seven hours a day, you get to play at your home, but you also get to win money and scholarships.”
The Bellarmine esports team is a registered student organization (RSO), but as the team grows, it is looking to become its own program.
“Here at Bellarmine in our first year or two, it has remained an RSO,” Sobczyk said. “A lot of universities when they are first starting out just start off as a club. As it grows, it becomes its own program or becomes housed under the athletic department."
Being a part of the esports team provides a team community to students in a fun way for those interested in gaming.
“It’s hard to get into esports because it does take a lot of time,” Goodman said. “But it’s definitely a great way for people to get that team aspect of college and school sports in general that they might not have gotten in high school.”
For students who want to get involved with esports, the practice and tournament schedule is time-consuming like any other sport. Esports has two different seasons, one in the fall and one in spring.
“The season is roughly eight weeks with a playoff tournament to follow,” Sobczyk said. “Each of the games we play, we have three practices a week plus game day.”
Esports goes beyond just playing video games. It has become a team atmosphere that is inclusive of everyone who wants to play.
“It’s not just about games. Typically, you think it's just a bunch of guys who stay up late and play games,” School of Movement Dean Dr. Tony Brosky said. “But we are seeing more and more women play along and folks with disabilities that can’t participate in some other competitive sports.”
Students interested in learning about esports in a business aspect can now add an esports minor to their degree. The minor has six 3-credit hour classes, or students can take the classes as electives to see if they are interested before committing to the minor.
“The way we designed it they’re open to anyone interested,” Brosky said. “You’d almost have to be living under a rock not to see the popularity and the interest in gaming, particularly esports gaming. The last several years it has turned into a multibillion-dollar industry.”
Students interested in joining Bellarmine’s esports team can connect with the team via Discord and Engage.
Comentários