COLLEGE LEAPS INTO COMPETITIVE ONLINE GAMING

RICK VANDERLINDE rvanderlinde@simcoe.com

Georgian College boasts a wide variety of competitive teams carrying the Grizzlies brand, from golf to rugby.

Now the athletics department has jumped into esports, where competitors rely on their wits and quick reactions to push their online team to victory.

The CyberGrizzlies are now in the League of Legends, part of Ontario Post Secondary Esports.

Carol Meissner, an accounting professor who teaches the Business of Esports, manages the team. She said joining the postsecondary league legitimizes esports at the Barrie college.

"Sometimes in society video games are looked at negatively, but we haven't had that problem here," she said.

"It's the school making a statement. It's not like, 'Oh, you kids over there, go play video games'; it adds legitimacy."

The CyberGrizzlies would never have leaped into the League of Legends if it wasn't for the college's student-led esports club.

Mikel Varvaro, the club's president, said while the intercollege and university league hasn't been recognized by the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association, it's a big leap for Georgians online gamers.

"It's not sanctioned by OCAA yet, but it's on that level," Varvaro said. "We are really proud of our team. They've put a lot of hard work in."

What makes online competitions attractive to many gamers is that it doesn't discriminate.

"Anyone can do it, as long as you put the time and the hard work in," Var- varo said. "There are people who are very talented at the game who just pick it up naturally."

Online gaming also allows teams to be made up of both men and women.

"We don't segregate by gender. It's a huge bonus because it also increases inclusivity. Now you're not relying only on the students that have the greatest physical prowess," Meissner said.

Just like other collegiate sports, online gaming also has its share of fans. Interschool games can be viewed live on twitch.tv.

The CyberGrizzlies' next goal is to create more in-person gaming events as it ventures into the community in search of team sponsorships.

"The college has recognized how important this is and have been very supportive," Meissner said.

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