The Waynesburg University Esports team is making a name for itself, since their introduction in the fall of 2022. However, the Director of Esports, Chris Davis is looking for more.

Davis, who was just hired in January of this year, is incorporating a new approach to the team, varying from heavy recruitment, summer training camps and tournaments. “I am focusing heavily on new student recruitment, both from high school and within Waynesburg,” Davis said. “I am also adding a summer training camp for the team this year.  The esports athletes will report to campus a couple weeks early and we will have day-long practice sessions that will focus on skill and team building and game practice time.”  

Davis also plans to implement an abundance of opportunities for those who are new to the Esports scene. “I also plan to host some high school tournaments this semester to bring new students into our arena and see what we are about,” Davis said.  “Also, we will be hosting intramural events next semester for people who may want to try out competitive esports on a more casual basis.”

For anyone interested in joining the team, Davis has been hosting information sessions for those who want to join. However, anyone is welcome to join, regardless of their experience level. “There are no specific requirements to be on the team other than you play one of the games we currently have in our rotation – Chess, League of Legends, Overwatch, Rocket League, Super Smash Brothers, and Valorant,” Davis said. “We take players of all skill levels.”

Esports has seemingly had a stigma about their qualifications as an actual sport since its inception. However, Davis feels they have a smooch legitimacy as any other sport. “We are a varsity sport the same as football, basketball, volleyball, etc.,” Davis said. “My athletes work just as hard as any other athlete on campus.  And we play year-round, so we are constantly competing.” 

According to Davis, The Valorant team and the League of Legends team both made the playoffs this semester, with both teams finishing the regular season 5-1. 

Sophomore Dagyn Williams, who is also a football player at Waynesburg, is part of the playoff Valorant team this season and feels strongly about getting Esports put on the map. 

“I feel as if it’s important that Esports gets similar attention like other traditional sports because times are changing,” Williams said. “Entertainment isn’t the same as it used to be, and people’s skills are super diverse now. Esports allows for so many different people to participate in ‘sports’ and brings in a lot of revenue as it constantly grows. Everyone has played video games just about, so it’s easy for people to get into and appeal to the younger generation.”

Williams is on the WU football team as a tight ened, so it was a good reason for Williams to get into Esports. “For myself, I got into Esports because I’ve always played games outside of my main sport (football) and really enjoyed them, especially Valorant, as it was a new game that I picked up and my first first-person shooter game,” Williams said. “I had seen Waynesburg offered Esports and thought I’d try it out. I’m super competitive so I really enjoy it, and it brings the same thrill I get from actual sports. Making it to playoffs after having such a slow start our first year just feels great as our team has grown so much and I think we definitely earned it this year.”

The Valorant team is currently their recent playoff loss in a game against Harper College on April 3.  If there are any students interested, Davis encourages contacting him directly by email at chris.davis@waynesburg.edu, phone at 724-852-3323, stopping by the arena in Buhl Hall or his office which by the arena. People who are interested can also check the website at waynesburgsports.com/sports/esports, where they can also check the teams match schedule.