National Video Game Day: SLCC's Esports Program

SLCC esports student Lehi Quiroz who took second place nationally.

National Video Game Day is on July 8 and it's a perfect time to learn about Salt Lake Community College's esports program and the world of competitive gaming.

What is esports? Esports, short for electronic sports, refers to competitive video gaming organized and played at a professional level. It involves teams or individuals competing against each other in popular video games such as Halo, Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. Just like traditional sports, esports requires skill, strategy, teamwork and quick reflexes.

The esports program at SLCC began in the fall of 2020, but has picked up steam this last year, and now competes with other colleges through the National Junior College Athletic Association Esports (NJCAAE) and Generation Esports. Each semester, much like any traditional sport, there are matches and playoffs, where teams and individuals compete.

“I never thought I had the skills to make it as a player but during the Covid lockdown, I got really into the game Super Smash Bros Ultimate,” says Lehi Quiroz, a sophomore in the esports program. “Once I had achieved the highest rank that I could in the game, I was ready to try my skills against other players in a tournament format.”

While attending SLCC for a degree in graphic design Lehi saw a flyer for an online Super Smash Bros tournament and decided to compete. He placed second in his first-ever tournament. “This made me think ‘Hey, maybe I have a chance at this esports thing.’"

SLCC esports booth at the first high school state esports tournament this past March.

The esports program is designed to provide students with a platform to pursue their gaming passion while fostering skills for success in careers in an increasingly digital world. Contrary to common misconceptions, esports is not solely about playing video games.

“Esports has been shown to lead in overall improvements in grades, academic attendance and graduation, in both secondary and post-secondary schools just like any other extra-curricular activity,” says coach and esports director Jeff Sosa, who was hired last October to help relaunch the program and use his experience to get SLCC’s program caught up with what other colleges offer.

This past season SLCC ranked nationally in several esports playoffs through the NJCAA. SLCC student Lehi Quiroz placed second in the Super Smash Bros competition. And SLCC teams competing in Overwatch and Valorant placed third and eighth respectively.

“Our SLCC student athletes in esports have seen the same benefits in their education and be treated just like the other athletes on campus,” says Jeff. There are athletic scholarships available to esports competitors who are recruited into the program from high school or can earn them through the application process.

Although not all video games can be competed as an ‘esport,’ Jeff says there are a number that cover a wide variety of student interests. Right now at SLCC, students compete in games such as Halo, Rocket League, Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, League of Legends, Valorant, Hearthstone and Overwatch.

“We compete through the NJCAA and do not have a cap on how many teams we can create, so as long as students are interested, then we have a place for them,” says Jeff. They accept all levels of players and can sign up students for a competition that matches their level of experience.

On July 26, SLCC esports will be hosting their next recruitment meeting where students can learn more about the program and tryout for this fall season. Students need to be full-time in their program in order to compete and have a GPA above a 2.0.

“We hope the program continues to grow and that everyone will support our program as the next upcoming sport in education,” says Jeff.

For application information, requirements and deadlines visit the SLCC Esports Discord Community: https://discord.gg/5gphgPV4ev

Or email the SLCC Esports Director, Jeff Sosa, at jsosa2@slcc.edu

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