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Drury’s esports team brings fun and games to campus

Drury’s esports team brings fun and games to campus

Campus News September 6, 2019, by Comments Off 433

The rise of the digital age

Esports (electronic sports) is finally getting the attention it deserves. Competitive gaming started in the 1970s, but really took off in the late 2000s and has only grown since then. Counterstrike, Super Smash Bros., Melee and League of Legends have some of the largest and most passionate fan bases, while Overwatch and Fortnite are modern favorites. Gaming has become so popular, even Buffalo Wild Wings now shows Fortnite tournaments on the big screen?

In response to the demand for video games and the increasing expectation of a certain skill level from people who enjoy the pastime, Drury students created the Drury University Esports Club (DUES).  A place for gamers to bond over and enjoy what they love.
The club was founded in Feb. 2017. According to club secretary Bijan Pourmand, “It’s a community that has fun, laughs a lot, and enjoys being what it is. It’s almost like a family more than a club!”
Treasurer Nargiss Pourmand called the club “an oasis in a toxic desert.” She goes on, “The videogame community has been plagued for decades with ‘toxicity’; as in angry individuals who are predominantly misogynistic/homophobic/racist/etc. and would rather verbally harass and bully other players than encourage. We wanted a place where we could improve those skills together without any hate.”

DUES logo (Photo via Nargiss Pourmand).

Join the club

The club is also separate from the Drury’s esports team, which has been created since DUES. N. Pourmand stated, “We have no affiliation with the Drury Athletic Esports division and exist as a separate entity. Compared to DAE, DUES Club isn’t an official team but rather a community for students who enjoy playing video games together.” They stayed away from integration to encourage more involvement from gamers of all skill levels and dedication. Anyone from a professional to an ameteur is welcome at DUES.

As a form of encouragement for a casual experience, membership is entirely free.  The club meets once a week for around four hours, and “are very casual and don’t demand routine attendance,” according to N. Pourdmand.  Anyone interested in joining should email  Dr. Chris Branton at cbranton@drury.edu to join the mailing list.  Otherwise, go to Springfield Lab 102 for more information.

If you’re interested in something more competitive without the commitment the team requires, there is a “Game-a-Thon” at the end of each month for anyone in the student body. The fee is $1 for club members, and $2 for everyone else. Moreover, there are occasional competitions hosted by the club. Check for posters around campus, join the mailing list, or email Bijan Pourmand at bpourmand@drury.edu or Nargiss Pourmand at npourmand@drury.edu.

Written by Jacob Maher.

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