HENNIKER, N.H.- Competitive eSports athletes are swarming to New England College (NEC) for the opportunity to compete against virtual athletes nationwide. NEC's state-of-the-industry Esports Arena provides the latest gaming technology in a high-tech, spaceship-like stadium.
"Walking into the arena for the first time was incredible," said Noelle Julian, Valorant team captain, and seasoned esports athlete. "I found myself surrounded by like-minded people who instantly became new friends and connections."
The esports world is thriving, with new games and new teams added every year, and gaming athletes discovering a venue for heart-racing competition. At NEC, students can compete throughout the academic year, with match games including Madden, Call of Duty, NBA 2K, Fortnite, Overwatch, Valorant, Super Smash Brothers, and League of Legends. Matches can range from 10 to 45 minutes, with the best of three or the best of five keeping students competing upwards of 225 minutes at a time.
"In the New England Collegiate Conference league, placement matches happen in the preseason," said Julian. "From there, teams are ranked to ensure better competition in the regular season, which lasts about eight weeks in any given semester. Top teams are then fitted for playoffs and the championship series."
The first-ever freshmen captain, Humberto Solis-III, coaches his peers to stream successfully, manage social media, and build their personal brands. "NEC esports engages a diverse group of people with a profound passion for a growing sport," he said. "The sport can lead students down a variety of career paths while building character, discipline, and critical-thinking skills." According to Solis-III, many professional esports teams recruit players from colleges like NEC.
This past year, COVID-19 changed the way the program was delivered, limiting arena attendance and increasing safety precautions. "I miss the commotion of a packed arena, with more than 50 people cheering on your match, yelling and screaming," said Julian. "But, right now, we have to do everything we can to ensure people are staying safe." Instead, fans are able to access the matches through Twitch's live streaming platform.
As an additional measure to manage pandemic protocols for the current season, the coach slimmed down the team to 40 varsity players. "In just a short time, esports has proven to be an important fabric of our community and athletic culture," said Dave DeCew, Director of Athletics at NEC. "The growth has been impressive, and we can't wait to see the continued development of our players."
Recent studies show that students who are involved in co-curricular activities, along with rigorous academic pursuits, are more likely to complete their studies and graduate on time. "The esports program is my haven," said Julian. "It gives me an outlet that I can't find anywhere else."
About New England College
Founded in 1946, New England College (NEC) was established to serve the needs of servicemen and women attending college on the G.I. Bill after World War II. Today, it serves over 3,000 undergraduate, graduate, and online students annually on our campuses in Henniker and Manchester, New Hampshire. NEC offers 37 Bachelor's degree programs, 12 Master's degree programs, and a doctoral program, all delivered by dedicated and accomplished faculty in the liberal arts tradition, and with an emphasis on experiential learning. NEC is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. For more information, visit www.nec.edu.
