By Marianne Luedeman
Photos by Marianne Luedeman
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – An esports club aimed at professional competition and local gaming is currently forming at Gardner-Webb University.
The club, which is spearheaded by Zeke Martin, is currently recruiting students with the goal of playing professional collegiate esports in the Big South League.
Marin, who serves as the Assistant Director of Campus Recreation, Intramurals, and Adventure Course, is forming the club to give gaming students a space to practice their skills and engage with the broader GWU gaming community.
“I want more students to know on campus that others share your hobby. I’d love for students to join us and find a community,” said Martin.
The club, which seeks to begin league play in January 2025, is set to form professional teams for a variety of popular games.
Once formed, the esports team will “play other schools in 3 v. 3 Rocket League, 5 v. 5 League of Legends, 5 v. 5 Valorant, and 5 v. 5 Overwatch,” according to Martin.
Outside of league play, the club also aims to give its members a space to play whatever games they want together in a community setting. “We’ll play whatever we want as a club, whatever your hearts’ desire,” said Martin at the interest meeting.
For non-members or those with casual interest, The esports club also aims to engage the campus with events for all students.
Although details are still being decided, Martin indicated that the club would hold campus game nights, on-campus tournaments, and potentially a game bus (a bus customized to contain consoles and gaming set-ups inside).
The initial interest meeting for the club was held on Oct. 22, 2024, for students to engage with Martin and learn more about what the club entails. The club is open for any student to join, regardless of skill level, and is also recruiting executive members.
Once the club begins to appoint its officers and solidify its plans, another interest meeting will be held for the student body.
More than 15 students have already expressed interest in joining, and Martin hopes the number of students wanting to join will only increase as the club becomes known.
“I think the club is going to go great. I’m excited for this first year to start an esports community on campus and bring more students to us, both current and incoming,” said Martin.
For any students wanting to inquire about or join the esports team, Martin can be reached at emartin4@gardner-webb.edu. Information about the collegiate esports in the Big South League can be found at https://bigsouthsports.com/index.aspx.