HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — This week the Gulf South Conference announced they are postponing basketball, football, soccer and volleyball competition until at least January 1st, which impacts most sports at the University of Alabama Huntsville, but one campus organization is able to compete regardless of the athletics getting cancelled.
The coronavirus pandemic has helped boost the reputation of the esports community because of its accessible use. Jacob Smith, president of UAH Esports, said they've seen some good growth already. The organization has over 100 participants across several different games including Overwatch, League of Legends, Counterstrike, Rocket League and more.
"Everything is mostly through online tournaments with prize pools online, so you can play games against anyone. That's how we're able to play colleges nationwide," said Smith. "You just have to go in and invite them and it's really easy to set up and play online."
Esports requires no form of physical contact which makes it an available activity for students. Players are able to compete from the comfort of their own home as long as they have the equipment to do so. Practices are also held at home, and communication is done online through a discord.
"These newer kids are already exposed to it due to twitch and youtube and stuff like that. They already have an idea of what's going on, while a lot of the older people still have that ingrained idea that gaming is sitting in your mother's basement," said UAH Esports Vice President Reilly Bell.
The Esports league at UAH competes against teams all across the country, and continue to make a name for themselves by their rapid growth. The seasons typically go all year long depending on skill level and game.
The UAH organization also live streams their games on a digital platform known as twitch. To catch some of the action go to www.twitch.tv/UAHEsports.