ABOUT ANNA MARIA ESPORTS
ABOUT ESPORTS
Anna Maria Esports provides a competitive and supportive environment for student players to enter team-based video game contests against other universities. Just like other athletes, esports team members participate in drills and practices as they hone their skills to compete at the collegiate level.
Anna Maria Esports’ intercollegiate co-ed teams will compete in regional conference this coming Fall of 2022.
In addition to our Varsity teams, Anna Maria Esports also provides a club environment. Students can compete against other college’s club teams and play for fun without the stressors of a varsity program. Club students also play in the esports center and have access to many of the same resources.
CURRENTLY SUPPORTED INTERCOLLEGIATE TEAMS
Rocket League
Overwatch
League of Legends
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Valorant
Fortnite
INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING
For more information about Anna Maria Esports, email the Esports Director Zachary Gandara at esports@annamaria.edu or complete a general interest form and we will reach out with more information.
FIVE QUESTIONS WITH NEW ESPORTS DIRECTOR ZACHARY GANDARA
What’s Anna Maria actually launching and why?
Anna Maria is launching its first Varsity Esports team this Fall. These competitive team-based video games combine the strategic maneuvering of chess, the teamwork of basketball, and the quick twitch fine motor control of sports like baseball and golf. This venture into esports brings competition and school spirit to a previously untapped fan base and extends our reach to a national scene. We will be competing against schools around the country in and outside of our regular division.
What’s your background…how did you get involved in esports?
I started in esports as an Overwatch player before transitioning to Counter-Strike. I directed the esports program at Providence College from 2019 to 2021 while earning a master’s degree in higher education and sport’s administration. Across my four seasons there, I was a voting member of the Big East Esports Board and coached the teams to 18 post season appearances including two Eastern College Athletic Conference championships.
What do you look for in an esports athlete?
Mental Toughness. It does not matter how skilled someone is if they cannot maintain their composure in a match. Everyone needs to be on board in order to win and one person falling off makes it very difficult for the others.
It seems like there’s a lot of equipment required…is this true? What are some of the most important items – internet, a good chair/posture, headset
There is a decent amount of equipment required, yes. Everyone needs to have a strong computer, an unwavering internet connection, and a microphone headset, but the most important items are the mouse, mousepad, and keyboard. Those are the pieces that differ drastically between brands and models. Everyone is very used to their personal equipment and while a lot of it is interchangeable, the players need to be comfortable with their mouse, mousepad, and keyboard.
What do students learn from esports…careers in the sport/field?
Students learn the traditional teamwork and time management but more tangibly, esports players must maintain their equipment. For us, that means performing regular maintenance on computers. Most players consider it a rite of passage to personally build their own computer which teaches practical skills and often fosters interest in STEM as well.
Past that, there are plenty of career opportunities that want to see applicants with player experience. Professional teams and leagues each have hundreds of employees and want new hires to already be acquainted with the competitive scene. They have openings in every field from finance to journalism and at the rate the professional scene is growing, I am confident that our students will find their niche easily.
What are your first-year goals? What’s the near-term outlook at Anna Maria?
Well, everyone wants to win, but this first year is more about fostering a culture that will attract more students to the school and the program. We are in the process of building an esports training facility on campus and, once finished, that is going to be an incredible recruitment tool. Past that, I want to make post season appearances. While winning a championship is unlikely in the first year, we are going to come out swinging and give it everything we’ve got.
What advice do you have for high school juniors and seniors if they are looking for an esports program?
Reach out! If you know you have talent but maybe your high school does not have a team, just start sending emails to coaches. We want to hear from you. Due to the lack of a widespread high school system, it can sometimes be hard for us to find you, but every college with a program will have their coach’s contact information online. Just send an email with your qualifications, whether that is rank or competitive experience, and coaches will talk to you.