E-Victory! CIU Rams Sweep in Inaugural ESports Match

By Alex Brickey

CIU Student Writer

Students crowded into Columbia International University’s Hoke auditorium. Glowsticks shown in the dark as students excitedly anticipated CIU’s inaugural intercollegiate esports match.

The night got underway with a Super Smash Brothers game followed by a brief word from CIU President Dr. Mark Smith who told the hundreds of students and staff in attendance that it was amazing to see that the work of all of those involved to make esports happen had paid off. He also prayed asking the momentous occasion would ultimately glorify God.

The event went off smoothly. Rocket League was the game being played. In the game, players are a car with the objective of getting a large ball into a goal. The game is basically an advanced version of “car soccer” as some have dubbed it.

Casey Feaster, Juan Jimenez, Campbell Miller, and Carter Willis brought home victory, winning four games in a row against ECPI University.

After the match, student Tucker Chapman, one of the “Watch Party” hosts, called the match “exciting.”

“It was a great environment and it is definitely cool to see the student body support athletes of every type,” Chapman said.  

CIU's esports team is considered a varsity sport and has the same scholarship programs as the other sports on campus.

Chandler Carlisle, a senior, said adding esports is one of the best decisions CIU has ever made.

“It is something that's growing a lot,” Carlisle said. “It was probably the most entertaining sports event I've ever been to in the past three years I’ve been here.”

CIU is a part of the South Carolina Esports Conference that includes Clemson, Lander, College of Charleston, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Approximately 300 colleges across the United States have esports programs.

What’s your sport? Join the champions at CIU. Discover more at CIURams.com. Request information on enrollment or call (800) 777-2227, ext. 5024.