Collegiate Esports Programs Take Center Stage: USC Sumter and Huntingdon College Coaches to Speak at Premier Sports Academy Event
Esports, or competitive video gaming, has exploded in popularity over the past decade, becoming a multi-billion dollar industry. With the rise of esports, many colleges and universities have started to offer scholarships for esports athletes and to create varsity esports programs. Two such programs are those at USC Sumter and Huntingdon College, both of which will be represented by their respective coaches at an upcoming event for PSA H.S. athletes.
The first speaker, Kristopher Weissmann, is the Director and Head Coach of the esports program at USC Sumter. Weissmann has been involved in esports for over a decade, starting out as a player before transitioning to coaching. He has coached teams in various games, including League of Legends, Overwatch, and Rocket League, and has won multiple championships and accolades in his coaching career.
Weissmann's program at USC Sumter is one of the newer varsity esports programs in the country, having been established in 2021. The program currently offers scholarships to players for four different games: League of Legends, Overwatch, Rocket League, and Valorant. USC Sumter's esports team is also part of the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), which is the governing body for collegiate esports in the United States.
The second speaker, Justin Ellis, is the Esports Director at Huntingdon College. Ellis has been involved in esports for over a decade, both as a player and a coach. He has coached teams in various games, including League of Legends, Overwatch, and Hearthstone, and has won multiple championships and accolades in his coaching career.
Huntingdon College's esports program is one of the more established varsity esports programs in the country, having been established in 2018. The program offers scholarships to players for four different games: League of Legends, Overwatch, Rocket League, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Huntingdon's esports team is also a member of NACE and competes against other collegiate esports teams across the country.
Both USC Sumter and Huntingdon College's esports programs offer their players the opportunity to not only compete at a high level in their respective games, but also to receive an education. Students in these programs are able to pursue degrees in various fields while also honing their skills as esports athletes.
In addition to the competitive and educational opportunities, esports programs also offer students the chance to develop valuable skills such as teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking. These skills are highly sought after by employers in many industries, making esports programs a valuable asset for students looking to enter the workforce after graduation.
In conclusion, the esports programs at USC Sumter and Huntingdon College offer students a unique opportunity to pursue their passion for video gaming while also receiving a quality education and developing valuable skills. The upcoming event for PSA H.S. athletes featuring the coaches of these programs is sure to provide valuable insight into what it takes to become a successful esports athlete at the collegiate level.