Esports season is in full swing!
The Esports program has three different rosters: Valorant, Rocket League, and Smash Ultimate. All have seen success in their matches so far.
“We’ve had 4 matches, and we’ve won all 4,” freshman Harrison “Farriex” Gilbert said.
Head coach Ryan Plummer used to be the coordinator of Esports at Montgomery County Community College in Pennsylvania. Plummer helped IWU Athletic Director Dean Webb build the Esports program into what it is today. The program is relatively new, as IWU has only had an Esports team for the past 3 years.
“The easy way to explain Esports is that it really is just competitive video games. We play against other colleges all across the country, and we’ll play in 3 different games,” Plummer said.
Plummer said that his favorite part about coaching Esports is dealing with the students and walking alongside them as they grow.
Senior En Milbourn is the captain of the Valorant team.
“I am also an out-of-game leader, so I make sure the players are doing well and I try to check in with them, to make sure that I know how they’re doing,” Milbourn said.
Milbourn heard about the program as it was starting up from his first-year advisor and was on the team when it began.
“I like that I get to make new friends through something such as video games, as well as meet with other people like our competitors and possibly share Christ with them in small ways, like praying with them before matches and building a sense of camaraderie,” Milbourn said.
The Esports team combines sports, technology, and community all into one. The students have an awesome community within their team, as stated by their coach and team members. The esports team is passionate about video games, while also being passionate about sharing their faith and glorifying God in all they do.
