Randolph-Macon College recently launched an eSports program. eSports—also known as electronic sports or e-sports—is a form of competition using video games in an online environment.

“We are excited to add eSports to RMC’s vast lineup of opportunities available to students,” says David Lesesne, vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions and financial aid. “eSports is a growing genre, and yet another way that our students can enhance their liberal arts education.”

New Endeavor
Collegiate eSports take the form of organized multiplayer video game competitions between colleges and universities. Although genres vary, the most common found in eSports are real-time strategy, fighting, first-person shooter (FPS), and multiplayer online battleground arena (MOBA).

Assistant Dean of Students James McGhee oversees Randolph-Macon’s eSports program. McGhee is assisted by Broaddus Hunt, systems engineer in RMC’s Information Technology Services office.

“Collegiate eSports is a fairly new endeavor whose popularity is increasing at unprecedented rates. We currently have a League of Legends club team, which has been doing well in competitions,” says McGhee. The team, which will train and play in the Student Engagement Center, is captained by Clark Lewis ’18 and Richard Banach ’20, who are planning a regional tournament that will take place March 24, 2018, at 12:00 p.m. in Haley Hall. The event is open to spectators.

Teamwork
League of Legends is a multiplayer online battleground arena developed and published by Riot Games for Microsoft Windows and mac OS. League of Legends is played by millions of active and devoted fans, all around the world, and could bring additional attention to the college and its student players.

“The college’s commitment to eSports is a huge deal to me, because it is something that’s been part of my life for a long time. The fact that RMC is increasing opportunities for students makes all the effort feel like it has been worth it,” says Lewis, an English major and religious studies minor. “eSports is a unique way for students to meet people, form lasting relationships, and work together with their teammates as they represent the college.”

“I believe that eSports is important because young people are growing up in a culture where gaming is more present,” says Banach, a political science major. “The college is doing a great job of being ahead of the curve.”

Exciting, Fast-Paced Opportunities
Beginning in fall 2018, RMC will add two new eSports to its repertoire: Overwatch and Hearthstone.

Overwatch is a team-based multiplayer FPS video game developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment. Overwatch features two teams of six, with each player selecting from a roster of more than 20 characters known as “heroes.” Each hero has a unique style of play.

Hearthstone features cross-platform play, allowing players on any supported device to compete against each other. The game is a turn-based card game between two opponents that uses constructed decks of 30 cards along with a selected “hero.”

“Both games are exciting, fast-paced, and very popular with collegiate eSports programs,” says McGhee. “We look forward to offering students these incredible eSports opportunities as well as others as the program grows and develops.” As with League of Legends, both Overwatch and Hearthstone are actively followed and played daily by millions of people worldwide.

Scholarships
In 2014, one college offered eSports scholarships; in 2017, more than 60 have added eSports scholarships to their financial aid and enrollment programs.

“We will certainly have scholarships available for competitive eSports athletes built into our financial aid program,” says Lesesne.

A Commitment to High Standards
RMC has plans in place to join the National Association of Collegiate eSports (NAC eSports), which promotes the education and development of students through intercollegiate eSports participation. NAC eSports currently has a membership of 42 institutions.

“Member institutions share a commitment to high standards and to the principle that participation in organized eSports competition serves as an important part of the total educational experience,” says McGhee. “Membership to NAC eSports will give us the support we need to compete, recruit students and promote this exciting program. It will also mean that RMC has a dedicated Twitch Channel—an online platform that focuses on live streaming eSports and other online competitions.”

Future and current RMC students who are interested in more information or wish to join any of Randolph-Macon’s current or future eSports teams should visit the RMC eSports web site and submit a recruitment form.

For more information about RMC’s eSports program, visit our eSports web page or contact James McGhee, assistant dean of students, at jamesmcghee@rmc.edu or (804) 752-7266.