Coastal Carolina University’s Esports Club is on the rise, blending casual fun with competitive success and maintaining a growing community both on and off campus.
President of the club, senior psychology major Angel Vazquez, said that the club has seen an increase in growth since originating as a Super Smash Bros., club in 2019. The club currently has 40 to 50 active members on campus, while its Discord community includes nearly 400 people, ranging from alums to local gamers.
“This semester has been really big because we have seen a lot of interest for a lot of things, like our Overwatch team. I’m pretty sure it’s actually going to have a team this semester,” Vazquez said.
Typically spanning from 6-10 p.m., the club hosts Friday night events with games such as Super Smash Bros., Tekken, Street Fighter, City of Wolves and Guilty Gear. Events are being held in Prince 204 and are open to the public.
The more competitive side of the club has shown their skills with a number of accomplishments. This past semester, the club’s NBA 2K team traveled to Texas for the Collegiate Esports Commissions Cup tournament, where they placed second in the nation. The Call of Duty team also claimed the Fragwire S2P Postseason tournament championship, fighting through brackets against 17 competitors.
Vazquez has been part of the club since his freshman year. As the club president, he organizes various gaming events, commentates on games and values inclusivity.
“Something I really want everyone here to understand is that you can participate even if your skill level is low. It’s not limited to anyone,” Vazquez said. “It’s for everyone to have a fun time.”
Thomas Gilbert, a senior statistics major, has been involved in the club for four and a half years. To him, the social aspect of this group stands out.
“My favorite part of the club is just, you know, getting to come out and have a good time with a bunch of fun people,” Gilbert said.
For those interested in esports, club faculty advisor and sports instructor, George Warriner, highlighted CCU’s esport management minor housed within the recreation and sport management department. He emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of the minor, which includes a class from three of the four pillars: management and competition, marketing, production and events and technology. He said such overlap can benefit students by fulfilling requirements in multiple areas of study.
“Students love courses that double dip, or they cross over…especially in that communication and business-like areas, there’s a lot of crossover,” Warriner said.
