Members of the eSports team gather in the eSports Lounge in Schulz Hall, either playing games and others following the swift action.
SUNY Fredonia’s brand-new eSports team, with a roster of 50 students, is beginning competition in the ECAC and SUNY leagues.
“We are excited to announce that Fredonia is jumping on board with the SUNY eSports League and joining ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference). We now have a competitive gaming team,” said advisor Mark Mackey. The leagues, which open play this week, are set up much like NCAA athletics.
The eSports team members will play two games each week in either league. While many players have computer setups in their residence hall rooms or off-campus housing, they can get together in the eSports Lounge in Schulz Hall and use gaming computers furnished by ResLife.
I like the sense of community in it and being able to be immersed in the environment and taking a break from the outside world.” - Alexis Barron
“Each game differs on how it works,” Mr. Mackey explained. Teams will compete, head-to head as individuals or as teams, to rack up as many wins as they can to reach the playoffs and ultimately play for a league championship.
The students, whose majors span a wide range of academics, are passionate about computer gaming. Also drawing them to the eSports team is an aspect of community, as well as actual competition, that it fosters.
“I find the competitive environment very enjoyable,” said Nick Paschell, a sophomore Music Industry major from Long Island, NY. He likes being a part of the team and embraces the community that it fosters.
A seasoned veteran of gaming, Mr. Paschell began playing video games around the age of 10, and advanced to competitive gaming two years later. “I like embracing the community and being involved in events with the game,” he said.
Prince Ntor’s interest in gaming can be traced to the gift of an Xbox 360 from his mother. Since then, he’s gained experience with assorted games, including those in the First Person Shooter genre, and began using a personal computer when he entered college.
What appeals most to Mr. Ntor, a senior Business Administration: Management major, with a minor in Communication, from Rochester, NY?
It’s being able to get lost in the world, he explained, “and improving consistently over a period of time, the enjoyment.” He draws inspiration from famous Valorant players such as Tenz and Demon1.
“I like the sense of community in it and being able to be immersed in the environment and taking a break from the outside world,” added Alexis Barron, a sophomore dual major, in Visual Arts and New Media: Graphic Design and Visual Arts and New Media: Digital Film Production, from Skaneateles, NY.
Ms. Barron is also a longtime gamer, but her role on the team is serving as its social media manager. She arranges practices and communicates with other teams. “I like playing video games, but not competitively. I like helping the players as much as I can,” she said.
The six games eSports teams plays are:
• Overwatch – Two teams play five-on-five, in both SUNY and ECAC leagues.
• Valorant – One team plays five-on-five, in both SUNY and ECAC leagues.
• Super Smash Bros: Ultimate – two teams play, one-on-one in SUNY and four-on-four in ECAC.
• Rocket League – one team plays three-on-three in SUNY and ECAC.
• Fortnite Duos – two teams play two-on-two in ECAC.
• Counter Strike 2 – one team with seven players in ECAC.
The eSports team is not part of the Student Association or a Campus Life activity and is separate from the campus eSports Club. The club remains active and welcomes students who have a casual interest in gaming.
