Illinois Wesleyan prepares to launch eSports program

Posted on April 8, 2017
Utilizing computer games, Illinois Wesleyan University is preparing to launch an eSports program. (WJBC File Photo)

By Patrick Baron

BLOOMINGTON – Illinois Wesleyan University is taking a step into the future by creating a program for competitive video gaming, or eSports.

Playing video games such as “League of Legends”, the program would allow students to take part in playing games competitively against students from other schools. Andrew Reddington, IWU’s associate director of financial aid, explained the program serves to make IWU a more inclusive place while being one of a few higher education institutions to offer such a program.

“There aren’t too many schools, at this point, that are offering a varsity-level eSports program – and I think that positions us uniquely in the sense of, now we have this additional opportunity to attract students to a high quality institution, to the Bloomington-Normal area, while entertaining and fulfilling the gaming culture needs that go along with those individuals,” said Reddington.

Planning to launch in the fall of 2018, the program will have students engaging in team communication, quick-thinking problem solving and thinking strategically. Reddington said IWU will be one of 30 schools to take part in a large competition next week.

“We are going to be playing other schools who are member institutions of the National Association of Collegiate e-Sports,” Reddington explained. “So there are about 30 schools right now that are member institutions, and we do have starting next week through NACE, a inaugural invitational that 16 of the 30 schools will be participating in, and Illinois Wesleyan will be one of them.”

Reddington explained professional “League of Legends” games can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 60 minutes. He also said professional gaming competitions often sell out the stadiums in which they are hosted – and that doesn’t account for the millions of people who watch the competition online.

Regarding the invitational on April 12, Reddington explained games will be broadcasted on Illinois Wesleyan’s official Twitch channel from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…