At Spring Hill College, most sports teams have been put on hold due to the Coronavirus pandemic. However, there is one sports team that is still competing and going strong: the Spring Hill College eSports team.
Given the online nature of eSports, it is a sport that can be played safely during the pandemic. It doesn’t require constant contact, traveling is not necessary for every match and each computer can be distanced six feet apart. It is a safe way to get competitive and make connections with others on the Hill.
Despite starting later in the semester, both the coach and the students are hopeful and optimistic about the future of esports on the Hill.
“I’m very much looking forward to the future with the team here. We all work together, they’re great people and we have a bunch of fun,” said team member Jared Jones.
Head coach Justin Tolbert said, “We’re working on building an Overwatch team, Valorant, League of Legends, and maybe some rumblings of [Super] Smash Brothers.”
The team is continuing to compete and hosts regular tournaments for games like Fortnite, Rocket League, etc. If you are interested, you can visit the eSports room on the first floor of New Hall.
“We’re still looking for more students on campus who are enrolled to come in and join us- even if they aren’t experienced with some of the games. We need bodies right now. We need people who want to compete, who want a chance to win scholarships and prizes and things of that nature,” said Tolbert.
With the spring semester looking hopeful for athletics, many teams are likely to start back up, and eSports will continue, strong as ever.