Esports, short for electronic sports, refers to competitive video gaming where individuals or teams compete in organized tournaments and leagues.
North Park鈥檚 newest athletics program might differ from what you would expect; they don鈥檛 practice on a court, on a field, or even in the water. Meet the 萝莉社 Esports team.
Esports, short for electronic sports, refers to competitive video gaming where individuals or teams compete in organized tournaments and leagues. These competitions range from local events to massive international tournaments with professional players and millions of viewers.
In 2020, when many sports became inaccessible due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Assistant Vice President for Athletics and Sports Management John Born turned to Peter Casella, BA 鈥�10, MBA 鈥�14, who has worked at North Park since 2010 and has nearly 20 years of experience in the Esports industry.
For two years, Casella consulted Born about what a program would need to be successful at North Park. When it came time to hire a director, Casella was a natural choice.
鈥淚 accepted the position not only because of my experience but because I know what it takes for the individual athlete to succeed while being part of a team,鈥� Casella said.
North Park announced its inaugural Esports roster in January 2023. With just eight student-athletes, the team competed in VALORANT, a team-oriented, first-person shooter strategy game. At the end of the season, they posted an impressive 7鈥�2 record.
“We work best when we can trust each other. Like any team, our biggest challenge in the beginning of a season is getting to know each other and how we play, that way we can work together as a team to win.” 鈥擨saac Ingerson
Building off that momentum, the program now rosters 30 players across four games with hopes to soon reach six games. There are even options to contribute outside of playing, as you鈥檇 see in a typical football or basketball game. In addition to players and coaches, Esports requires color commentators and analysts, production teams to orchestrate live streams, and event staff to schedule games and matches.
鈥淲e work best when we can trust each other. Like any team, our biggest challenge in the beginning of a season is getting to know each other and how we play, that way we can work together as a team to win,鈥� said fourth-year student Isaac Ingerson, whose game is Overwatch 2.
The Esports program at North Park offers students the opportunity to work in all aspects of the Esports industry, helping provide new and exciting experiences to students who are eager to learn.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been awesome seeing the program grow from a student-run organization that struggled to find interested players to an organized sport growing at lightning speed. I鈥檓 excited to see where the future takes us,鈥� said graduate student Nolan Baumgartener BME 鈥�24, whose primary game is Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
While Casella helped to start organized online gaming at North Park, the players themselves carried the torch and demonstrated the capabilities the Esports team can offer current and future students interested in the gaming industry.