Just as classes are hitting the start button, so are the ETSU Esports teams. After an exciting season last year, Overwatch and Rocket League teams are preparing for this season and Esports has some fun changes nearing.
The Overwatch team has the most changes coming to them as the release of Overwatch 2 will be on Oct. 4 and the team will have a week to prepare and learn before the first competition takes place on Oct. 11.
“There’s going to be a lot of similarities, but there’s still just so much uncertainty and it’s exciting, intimidating and frustrating for us all at the same time,” Esports head coach Jeff Shell explains. “The last open beta period ended in early July, so the team will not get to play the new format until crunch time.”
Esports will also be taking on some different competitions. The varsity players are looking for some more opportunities to compete, and the Overwatch and Rocket League teams who once played only in the fall will now be playing in the fall and spring semesters.
The National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) has recently launched a student representative program in which Overwatch player and senior Ryan O’Connor (Johnson City, Tennessee) is a part of for the Buccaneers.
“Each institution gets one representative to attend business meetings and vote on legislation. It gives students a little bit more say in decisions around their competitions,” Shell said. “The board members were elected over the summer. They’ve got student leaders from campuses that are interested in making sure students have an equal say and have good representation. It’s going to do a lot of really cool things.”
This fall, Rocket League will start matches on Monday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. in The Cave, and Overwatch 2 will start Tuesday, Oct. 11, also at 7 p.m. in The Cave.
For more information, you can follow Esports on all social media platforms @etsuesports and on Instagram @buccaneeresports.
