{"id":9537,"date":"2019-02-14T11:55:00","date_gmt":"2019-02-14T16:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/earlham.edu\/?p=9537"},"modified":"2022-04-19T16:01:56","modified_gmt":"2022-04-19T20:01:56","slug":"e-sports-added-to-earlham-colleges-slate-of-club-sports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/earlham.edu\/news-events\/e-sports-added-to-earlham-colleges-slate-of-club-sports\/","title":{"rendered":"E-sports added to Earlham College’s slate of club sports"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The latest club sport available to Earlham College students won\u2019t be played on a grassy field or a hardwood court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It will be played in front of television screens and computer monitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

E-sports, or competitive video gaming, has become the College\u2019s ninth approved club sport<\/a>. Other non-sanctioned intercollegiate sports currently being offered include ultimate frisbee, men\u2019s and women\u2019s rugby, fencing, volleyball, badminton, equestrian, Aikido, and table tennis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe had 130 students show up to our launch event,\u201d said Ally Lantham, an East Asian Studies and Peace Global Studies double-major who is a co-convener of club. \u201cI think the gaming community on this campus is very large, even bigger than I realized, especially for a campus of our size. Because gamers often play or compete from the comfort of their rooms you don\u2019t always see that interaction that e-sports offers. This club has brought that energy into a communal space which I think is so important.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With funding from the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and additional support from Student Life, Facilities, Public Safety and Information Technology Services, the E-sports club has a dedicated space in the basement of Runyan Center. A variety of new gaming PCs, consoles, television screens and furniture have been purchased for club activities. Popular games supported by the Club include Fortnite, Apex Legends, League of Legends, FIFA, and Team Fortress 2, among other popular games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis isn\u2019t just another a computer lab or a student lounge,\u201d said Jason Fleenor, Earlham\u2019s director of club and recreational sports. \u201cThis is a dedicated space for students to practice and prepare for future competitions. Students who have not played certain games, but are interested and want to learn are welcome as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor students not interested in competition, we plan to offer open gaming nights so students can still participate in the club and hang out with their friends,\u201d he said. \u201cWe also plan to support important conversations about gaming culture, and how certain content in games can be in conflict with our Quaker Principles and Practices as an institution.  There will be something for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click here<\/a> to learn more about esports and other club sports at Earlham.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Media contact<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Brian Zimmerman<\/strong>
Director of media relations
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Email: zimmebr@earlham.edu
Phone: 765.983.1256<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n