The esports team played their first winning match and continues to play in tournaments.
The varsity esports team competed in the National Association of Collegiate Esports’s Rocket League qualifying tournament. Darien Barton, music sophomore and captain of the rocket league team, said NACE hosted 61 teams to compete over the span of ten weeks.
The team won their first match on Oct. 7.
“We played against schools from all over the country and there were a lot of big competitors,” Barton said. “We were a new team coming into it and we had lost about five games before we actually won, so it was just a really special moment. Even though the victory was such a small win in the tournament itself, it was huge for our program.”
Although the team didn’t qualify for the NACE tournament, Barton said they are currently preparing for another qualifier tournament through the Collegiate Starleague. The team practices twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays.
“It’s nice to have a community of people who enjoy the same things as you,” Barton said. “Video games unite us all, and the fact that we all have a passion for them and have a community of friends to share our experiences with is special.”
Jeff Price, chair of game design and animation, said he was not only proud of the team’s recent win, but also of their work ethic.
“I’m impressed with the fact the kids are so dedicated to practicing and playing,” Price said. “It’s not easy to start something new. It’s almost like they’ve built an airplane, and now they’re trying to get it up in the air and fly it.”
Price also said the esports club will host upcoming events for the general campus community.
The club is planning an event with the Children’s Miracle Network, the Thunder Oklahoma City Blue and Miracle Con on Feb. 29.
“We’re going to be putting on an esports tournament to raise money for the kids of the Miracle Children’s Network,” said Price.
For more information about joining the esports club, teams or upcoming events, contact Jeff Price at jprice@okcu.edu.
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