WPU Esports Teams Are on the Rise

Clay Whitehurst carefully aimed his mouse, lined up his shot on an enemy player, and fired. But
in the end, it wasn’t enough. The WPU Valorant team lost to Catawba Valley Community
College in their first esports match.

Video games are booming in the entertainment industry, and thus, esports teams are popping up
at universities nationwide. The National Association of Collegiate Esports (NCAE), has 175
college and university members, though WPU is not a member.

WPU has three esports teams, each representing their own separate game: Valorant, League of
Legends, and Rocket League. These teams launched this year along with the new Esports and
Gaming Administration major. The teams use the new state-of-the-art esports lab. While the
League of Legends and Rocket League teams are still developing their rosters, the Valorant team
is formed and ready for battle.
While the Valorant team’s first online competition on Feb. 12 against Catawba College wasn’t a
win, Whitehurst said the event provided valuable experience that marked the beginning of a
promising future.

“Our first competition was a test to see where we needed to improve on and devote most of our
time to,” Whitehurst said. “We put up a good fight especially in the second map against an
already well established team.”

The Valorant team roster with their competitive names:

● Clay Whitehurst - Peachy
● Donnie Leahy - Dozzie
● Ethan Finsel - Eefru
● Chuquel Wright - BoltingLion
● Nicola Saunders - Bellectra

The Valorant team is developing not only their competitive skills but their appearance as well.
The team’s new jerseys, designed by fellow player Donnie Leahy, are set to be rolled out within
the coming weeks.

Roger Christman, department chair of Communications and Simulation & Game Design,
explained what makes the new esports teams no different from any other sports team on campus.
“The goals of a basketball team, a volleyball team, are the same as an esports team,” said
Christman. “Having that discipline, strategic thinking, the collaboration, the reliance on team
members, the strategy, all those that go into any sport are also embedded in esports.”

The main difference between esports and other physical sports is the extreme level of physical
ability required. Esports are more physically inclusive due to its main reliance on hand-eye
coordination and reaction time as opposed to strength and conditioning.

The teams are open to anyone, not limited to those majoring in esports, game design or a related
major.

“Being a part of the start of the WPU Valorant team feels amazing, terrifying, and awesome all at
the same time,” Whitehurst said. “The overall support we have received from students and
faculty alike is overwhelming.”

Another member of the team, Nicola Saunders, shared her thoughts on being the only female
player of the team.

“It's been a fun time so far and it doesn't feel weird despite being the only female player because
we're all there for the same thing,” she said. “I was a little worried being the only female for a
while because I wasn't sure how that would be perceived by the other members of the Valorant
team, but they've all been really nice and welcoming and created an environment that everyone is
welcome in.”

With many more tournaments on the horizon, including two competitions in March, the players
are all motivated and ready to represent William Peace University together as a team.

“The experience of having other minds who want to achieve the same goals as myself is
inspiring,” said Whitehurst. “ I know that with the right dedication and practice we can go far!”
Things to add:

When will the other teams play? - I asked Clay and he is not sure when the other teams will play
since their rosters are not finalized yet.
Why more than one for WPU? Aren’t we represented by one team when we play other schools,
like in sports? - Each team represents their own game, so basically each team is like their own
sport since each video game is so different. I tried to note this near the top.

Note to self - get on this list plus the one we sent to Roger
https://www.ncsasports.org/college-esports-scholarships/varsity-esports#:~:text=College%20esp
orts%20leagues&text=175%20colleges%20and%20universities%20are,officially%20recognized
%20varsity%20esports%20programs.