Gaming Gladiators
Esports Team Finds Success on the Virtual Battlefield By Lauren Matthews In Fall 2019, Snow College’s varsity-level esports program made Utah history. It was the first esports program in Utah to be directed by an athletics department. In fact, this integration is an “innovative and historic partnership between athletics, academic affairs, and student affairs,” said Jason Springer, dean of students and co-founding esports associate head coach. In the age of COVID-19, traditional college sports have taken a hit. Empty basketball courts and football stadiums bring to mind the mournful barrenness of the Colosseum. Yet in its first year of competitive esports in the National Junior College Athletic Association Esports (NJCAAE), Snow College has skyrocketed through the rankings. When the NJCAA canceled all Spring 2020 athletic competitions, the esports division was the only division still allowed to compete. “With the blessing of the administration and increased hygiene protocols, physical distancing between players, and in most cases, playing from home, we continued through the spring season,” said Landon Peterson, director of advising and head coach of esports. Snow College esports won the 2020 FIFA Championship, thanks to players Valentin Fernandez and tournament winner Gaspar Vedoya. The Rocket League team (players Chris Holbrook, Aiden Anderson, and Jarod Stirling) took second place in their 2020 tournament. Excitingly, even in the program’s first semester (Fall 2019), the wins were record setting. Springer said of those wins, “Snow College has established itself as a national leader, placing in the Top 4 in each of the in-season games. No other college in the NJCAAE can claim Top 4 national finishes in all three in-season games.” In esports, gamers play video games competitively; in varsity competitions, teams representing a college contend with teams from other colleges. In the 2019-20 season, the Snow College team grew to over 40 players, and they competitively played Overwatch, FIFA ‘20, Madden ‘19, Rocket Jackson Bird and Noah Flick compete in Overwatch. 28
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