Starting this fall, UNC Asheville students will find a brand new Esports Center located in the Student Recreation Center, offering an inclusive space for all campus members to play recreationally or at the varsity level.
The new professional-grade facilities provide the infrastructure for a program that is sure to flourish.
Featuring all different types of gaming systems, from Playstations, Nintendo Switches, and professional-level PC setups, there are even two racing simulator rigs, whose building was spearheaded by UNC Asheville alumnus Nick Grandstaff.
Should students want to play a new game on a high-powered computer, or have a fun round of cooperative play on games like Overcooked or Mario Kart, the Esports Center will be the point of access for all students.
Teams are already being established for Overwatch, League of Legends and Rocket League.
“This is the first official opportunity for students at UNC Asheville to compete in varsity league play,” says Nick Braylan, assistant director for esports and sports.
Braylan adds, “Leagues like the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) allow an unlimited number of team rosters to compete, meaning every skill level can be involved in competitive team play.”
Along with offering a form of student interaction that traditional recreational services have not previously provided, Campus Recreation hopes that the facility will encourage mindful use of time and considerate selection of games that align with UNC Asheville’s goals.
But how do esports competitions work? Do they compete at varsity level, or Division I like other UNC Asheville sports teams?
Braylan deconstructed the numerous ways to play video games at the collegiate level.
“Universities can participate in major esports leagues such as National Association of College Esports (NACE) and NECC, enabling them to enter into varsity competitions. NACE provides an open division for emerging programs, where universities are grouped into skill-based divisions and compete against other institutions,” Braylyn explains.
“Teams progress through league difficulty as they become better in-game,” he adds. “If teams become higher ranked, they get placed in a more difficult group. During the group stages, the top 2-3 teams progress to a bracket stage – like March Madness – where they compete against the top universities.”
Written by UNC Asheville.