About the Program

The Arena

The facility is stocked with 24 computers (CPU: i9-990k, GPU: RTX 2070, 240hz displays), Smartboards for film review and game planning, and 4k TVs for streaming pro-eSports events or your own gameplay.

Quick Facts About the Program

Collegiate esports is still relatively new, but more than 200 schools have adopted teams since the first varsity team was founded in 2014.
The program is run similarly to traditional sports. Students practice two to three times a week for 2.5 to 3 hours, with an additional meeting for VOD review.
Students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA to participate.
For players who enjoy esports but do not wish to take on the commitment required to play on the intercollegiate team, we offer an esports club.
There are other opportunities for students to get involved outside of playing, such as in production, broadcasting, team management, and social media.

Meet Your Coach: Jack Vignone

“Students, regardless of playing ability, should join because we offer teams for every skill level in addition to opportunities beyond playing, such as in production, team management, game analysis, and more! Students can expect to make awesome friendships and develop skills that they can use in class, at work, and beyond!”

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR PROSPECTIVE PLAYERS

Saint Rose currently competes in Overwatch 2, League of Legends, Rocket League, Valorant, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate & Pokemon VGC

The program is run similarly to traditional sports. Students practice two to three times a week for 2 ½ to 3 hours, with an additional meeting for VOD review.

Competitions are weekly, with spring and fall seasons. Though our regular season and playoff matches are all online, we look to travel to LAN events for as many games as we can at least once per season.

Coach Vignone encourages good nutrition and fitness because overall wellness is important to staying competitive in esports, too. Students also must maintain a minimum GPA in order to retain eligibility.

The equipment for our new Golden Knights Arena, which opens in early August 2019, hasn’t been finalized yet, but plans are to equip it with 24 units that have i9 processors, 2070 graphics cards, 16 GB RAM, 240Hz monitors. For players that don’t want to use their own, a stock keyboard, mouse, and headset will be included at each station.

Team members will also be provided with a jersey as part of the team uniform.

There’s no minimum rank. For the intercollegiate team, we will field as many teams at a competition as we can based on player ability, but all students who have a proficiency with the games we play and want to make the commitment involved in being on the team will have a spot.

For players who enjoy esports but do not wish to take on the commitment required to play on the intercollegiate team, Saint Rose also offers an esports club.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR FAMILIES

At Saint Rose, we take the student in student-athlete seriously. Our esports coach also believes that spending too much time creates diminishing returns. After too much practice, a player will not improve.

That said, the program is run similarly to traditional sports. Students practice two to three times a week for 2 ½ to 3 hours, with an additional meeting for “watching film.” The coach will also expect and encourage good nutrition and fitness because overall wellness is important to esports play, too.

For the intercollegiate team, we will field as many teams at a competition as we can based on player ability, but all students who have a proficiency with the games we play and want to make the commitment involved in being on the team will have a spot.

For players who enjoy esports but do not wish to take on the commitment required to play on the intercollegiate team, Saint Rose also offers an esports club.

Although it may not seem like it to the casual observer, esports encourages leadership, teamwork, and opens up the opportunity for social interaction. It helps students hone their analytical and problem-solving skills. The discipline required to balance esports and academics is an important life skill. Esports also helps feed a student’s competitive spirit.

And good news for families who worry about the school/competition balance: Students are expected to maintain a minimum GPA in order to remain on the team.

The only expense is that players need to have their own copy of the games because they must have a registered account in order to play. (Note: League of Legends is free for those who can’t afford to buy a game like Overwatch.)