OCU’s new esports team plans to form a club and varsity team on campus.
The idea for an esports team began when Austin Hogue, music senior, began running videogame tournaments called “Smashcade” last February.
“I was approached by some people in the community about holding a big event here on campus,” Hogue said. “I was trying to find a space for that so I started contacting people and was put in contact with Jeff.”
Jeff Price, chair of game design and animation and director of esports, said esports will consist of a competitive varsity team, a recreational club, and in the future, a degree plan.
OCU is now a member of the National Association of Collegiate Esports. According to NACE, there were only six collegiate institutions with an esports team in 2016. Now there are currently over 130 participating campuses.
“There’ll be an esports room in the Sarkeys Science and Math building where people can come at any time of the day to play video games or arrange intramural matches between clubs,” said Price. “We’re going through the process of choosing games the students will want to play but some of them are Overwatch, Super Smash Bros and Rocket League.”
The competitive team will play in tournaments and scrimmages with other competing universities both in person and online, said Price.
“A lot of kids play video games, so it will give them an opportunity to relax and have fun in the club. They’ll be able to learn specific skillsets, like editing, and we’ll also be focusing on the mental and physical health of our players,” Price said.
Chris Aguilar, CEO of Helix GG esports consulting, is also involved with OCU’s esports team.
“This club is about building a community on campus and getting different groups of people together for the same purpose of playing games,” Aguilar said.
While the esports room is a work in progress on campus, the first OCU esports River Rumble will be held on October 5t the Devon Boathouse in association with the Boathouse District.
“It’s an all-day event culminating in a presentation of the final matches on a giant screen floating in the water,” Price said. “There’ll be two competitive games as well as four high schools competing.”
To get involved in the esports club, email Price for more information at jprice@okcu.edu.
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