By Zach Kershaw
Since becoming an officially recognized sport, eSports have been on the rise in the U.S. and around the world.
Specifically, eSports are growing at an incredibly rapid rate across the country. Universities have even begun to fund the formation of teams and allocate scholarships to players/students.
The University of Tampa currently has no affiliation with any eSport team.
Last semester, UT formed its own men’s flag football and women’s flag football teams after students expressed enough interest in forming teams.
According to The University of Tampa’s webpage, there is no eSport team or club.
The opportunity for UT to form an eSport team or club is present. Students around campus are into video games, and see the value in them.
Matt Maletta, a senior Cybersecurity student at UT, enjoys playing and watching video games in his free time.
“If we were good at Fortnite, I would watch us for sure,” said Maletta.
Chris Shepard, a junior Communications major at UT feels indifferent to the eSports scene.
“I wouldn’t watch it a lot myself, but if people want to start one then I say go for it,” said Shepard.
Cory Ryder, marine science major and junior at UT plays Xbox with his friends and sees the value of gaming.
“I would watch UT play Rocket League,” said Ryder. “Definitely Apex Legends to.”
Decisions like these affect potential UT students as well. Videogames are one of the largest industries globally.
According to a 2020 trade.gov research project, 75% of U.S. households have at least one gamer.
The potential to attract more students aligns with creating an eSport club or team.
There is a stigma associated with video games, some do not consider them a fit in the educational environment.
And yet, that has not stopped other institutions from creating eSport teams.
Financially, eSports are in an excellent position. According to trade.gov, by 2024, eSports are estimated to exceed $2.5 billion in revenue.
This revenue is generated from many different streams, but the main sources are sponsorships, merchandising and competitive tournaments.
On February 11th, ESports Players Club held a competitive Madden 23 Tournament with a $500 prize. Entry into the tournament was $49.99.
ESports Players Club staff members, Leah Simblante and Ben Seatts, organized the bracket and players shortly after the tournament was underway.
On Feb. 11th, Leah Simblante (Left) and Ben Seatts (Right), stand in front of the ESports Players Club banner.
Photo taken by Zach Kershaw.
Located on Kennedy Boulevard, mere blocks from campus, ESports Players Club offers several useful amenities to members such as: Freeplay access, streaming services, and E-Sports club teams.
“We have 41 computers, six consoles, and one vr [virtual reality] headset,” said Seatts. “The elite equipment and the environment improve gaming.”
The tournaments include popular games such as: Madden 23, Fortnite, Apex Legends, Valorant and Super Smash Bro’s.
“We are trying to get UT here,” said Simblante. “Other universities like FAU, FGCU and USF come here to compete,”
ESports Players Club also features a “squad up” zone where players can gather and play together.
This area features next generation consoles, as well as Turtle Beach headphones so users can communicate while they play.
The Squad Up zone.
Photo taken by Zach Kershaw.
The club also offers members access to a state-of-the-art streaming room. Featuring triple monitors, a microphone, a ring light and a gaming computer.
The room can be reserved by members, and can be used to record and cast gameplay.
The streaming room.
Photo taken by Zach Kershaw.
ESports Players Club is one of Tampa’s hidden gems. This facility offers gamers the chance to create relationships and make friends all while playing the games they love.
“The guys here hangout outside of here because they are a common interest,” said Seatts. “But they met here, at ESPC.”
Although UT has yet to catch up to eSports, there are still plenty of opportunities for students to form teams and compete at higher levels with the help of ESports Players Club.
Building the gaming community in the Tampa area is the focal point of the ESports Players Club.
Presently, there is nowhere on campus for gamers to socialize or interact with each other. It is time to level up.