East Georgia State College (EGSC) is making headlines in the eSports arena with two of its competitors achieving national rankings in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) eSports League.
Mauricio Martinez-Matias achieved second place nationally in Tier Three of the NJCAA eSports League in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, a game where competitors select a fighter from the vast Nintendo universe and compete against others online. Amin Payne took home third place nationally in Tier Three of the NJCAA eSports League in Madden, a football themed game where two teams compete to score the most points within a set time limit.
The EGSC eSports team was established in the Fall semester of 2023. Now with 18 competitors on the roster, the team is competing with other players from around the country. The mission of Bobcat eSports is to provide an enjoyable, social space for gamers of all skill levels and interests through networking and organized events to promote the growth of the gaming and eSports community and provide camaraderie between all gamers.
"I'm incredibly proud of our eSports team at EGSC. Despite the challenges posed by the delayed season due to hurricane Helene that devastated our community, they’ve shown tremendous resilience and have been nothing short of inspiring. Not only have they persevered through adversity, but they've also grown stronger in both skill and numbers. This team's dedication and determination are a testament to their passion and the bright future ahead of them. I am just excited to be a small part of it. We started out as a small club with four players and have grown into a competitive NJCAAE team with 18 players last season. Our Spring season starts back on February 24, and we are expecting continued success and growth,” said Ashley Woods, head eSports coach and Vice President for Information Technology.
Mauricio Martinez-Matias and Amin Payne, both freshmen at EGSC and graduates of Swainsboro High School, have found the eSports team to be a significant part of their college experience. Mauricio has played Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for many years, but never on a team until he enrolled at EGSC. He says this experience has had an impact on his college experience because he has had the opportunity to meet people from all around the country.
“Through these games and tournaments, I have been able to meet people from many different areas,” said Mauricio. “This team has also helped teach me how to balance my college work with my gaming. Gaming still involves practice like any other sport. I want to practice continuing to get better and have more experiences through this team.”
Mauricio was named the runner-up in the finals of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate NJCAAE national playoffs which had around 100 competitors participating.
Amin Payne, who dreams of attending law school and becoming a district attorney, discovered a new passion during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. With ample free time, he decided to immerse himself in Madden, the popular football game, and quickly found it to be a thrilling and engaging way to spend his days.
“I decided to attend East Georgia because it was close to home and affordable,” said Amin. “eSports has made my college experience even better because it has given me something to do other than academics. I have been able to meet people and now play competitively.”
Last year, EGSC transformed a section of the physical education building into the eCats Lounge, a dedicated eSports area, complete with state-of-the-art gaming computers. This space provides team members with a venue to play their matches, practice, and connect with fellow gamers. Additionally, players have the flexibility to compete from their personal devices at home, ensuring everyone can participate regardless of their location.
"The eSports room on campus provides students with a dedicated space to come together for practice, build camaraderie, and support one another during competitions. While team members can participate remotely from their personal devices anywhere in the world, the on-campus facility ensures that those without access to their own equipment still have the opportunity to engage and compete," said Woods.
While the team is made up of mostly EGSC students, others from the community can join EGSC’s team and be a part of Bobcat Nation. The NJCAAE Tier 3 league is open to the public. If you are interested in joining the EGSC eSports team, contact Ashley Woods at [email protected] or 478 289-2066. For more information, visit https://www.ega.edu/athletics/esports/.
