By Joshua Sprout
An esports interest meeting was held by a Delaware Technical Community College faculty member on Sept. 12 to gauge how students at Delaware Technical would respond to the potential of an esports team.
A room full of students attended the interest meeting along with as many as 30 more students joining from other campuses via Skype.
Esports are similar to any other sport in that people crowd into venues to watch participants compete for a prize of some sort, usually monetary. The difference is that esports involve competition in video games instead of something more physically demanding. These games are chosen based on popularity and the ability to compete against each other. According to newzoo.com, the esports market will hit the $1 billion mark in 2019.
Matthew Young said he saw himself fitting into an esports team.
“I’d be interested in playing on a team which plays Rainbow 6 Siege. Other than that, I’d be interested in taking on a marketing position for the team,” said Young.
According to techeduptecher.com, over 475 American colleges have an esports team.
Attendants at the meeting listed things such as acquiring equipment and potential games to in which to compete in, as primary concerns.
Gail Charrier, Dean of Student Affairs and an organizer for the meeting, said she wishes to take on a “developmental role” for the future possible program.
“First we must develop a structure and get funding for gaming computers. The idea is to start off small and work our way up,” Charrier said.
Even though attendee Diego Morones-Catillo said he is not interested in being a member of the esports team, he believes it requires “just as much training as any other sport while also taking breaks to prevent eye strain and other possible injuries.”
Currently organizers are seeking a budget to begin the program, get funding for computers, and afford travel expenses as necessary for the team’s success. While seeking approval for funds, students whom are interested in the potential of an esports team might seek to voice their thoughts and opinions in the form of organized student meetings or by reaching out to Delaware Tech staff.
