Pittsburgh Technical College Celebrates One Year of Collegiate Esports Program
In December 2022, Pittsburgh Technical College (PTC) started an esports club with 15 students and the intent to join a collegiate league. With a faculty sponsor and a welcoming approach, the club recently celebrated its first anniversary and has grown to approximately 50 members, making it one of the biggest clubs on campus.
Competing as the Jackalopes, the group represents PTC’s first intercollegiate sports team. PTC joins multiple schools in the tri-state area with esports teams, including Robert Morris University, Waynesburg University, West Virginia University and Cleveland State University. PTC is a member of the National eSports Collegiate Conference (NECC), which sponsors games and championships for more than 300 participating schools. The College’s Overwatch team placed fourth in their division in the fall, and the club plans to add more teams for the upcoming spring season.
The Growth of Esports on Campus
The world of online gaming is an incredibly popular, diverse and lucrative market. According to the Entertainment Software Association, 65% of Americans report playing video games for at least one hour per week, and U.S. consumer spend on games, consoles and accessories totaled more than $56 billion in 2022. Electronic sports, known as esports, take gaming to the next level with organized competitions and millions of dollars in prize money for top players. Colleges and universities are building esports teams complete with recruiters and scholarships for student athletes. They compete in divisions based on skill level in multiple games such as League of Legends, Overwatch, Valorant and Rocket League. Matches can be conducted virtually or take place at live hosted events. Schools, companies, and even game developers are investing in technology and dedicated spaces for esports clubs.
At PTC, club members make an effort to meet in person regularly and play games together roughly every other day. Research conducted by the Center for Community College Student Engagement consistently shows that increasing opportunities for meaningful interactions with faculty and other students positively impacts retention and graduation rates. The inclusive nature of esports and its fundamental association with STEM subjects make it an attractive option for schools seeking to encourage student involvement in campus activities. Students of varying backgrounds and courses of study already play games online, and collegiate esports create a space for connection with others who share similar interests. Men and women can participate on co-ed teams and there are no barriers or entrance requirements for those learning how to play.
The PTC Esports Community
According to Lee Cottrell, now-retired Assistant Professor of Information Systems and Technology and PTC’s inaugural esports club faculty advisor, the PTC club and the league as a whole are extremely friendly and supportive. Building and running the club also provides students with valuable skills and networking opportunities.
“I’ve seen some introverted students step up and take a leadership role in getting groups together and managing the teams,” said Cottrell. “Students can draw on these organizational experiences as they move forward.”
PTC’s club members include a wide variety of majors, from computer programming to welding technology.
“Esports is great for connecting. It brings together people from different majors who wouldn’t have a chance to communicate otherwise,” said Club President Ben Bobbert. On the competitive team, getting to know each other is an important part of winning matches. For example, Overwatch is played by a team of five with all characters interacting with each other.
“When we practice and play together, we figure out how each person plays and that helps us build a good team composition,” explained Club Vice President Eli Yarborough. “It’s nice to have a place to meet up after school or hop on a video stream and play together,” he added.
PTC President Dr. Harvey-Smith said she is excited about the esports club’s success to date and what the future holds.
“We are grateful for Professor Cottrell’s leadership in helping the College embrace this emerging trend and fostering a positive and inclusive gaming community,” said Dr. Harvey-Smith.
Moving forward, the club hopes to acquire dedicated equipment so every member can have a consistent gaming experience and eventually travel to events such as regional competitions. Last season, they were only one spot away from the playoffs, and they have set a goal to reach the postseason tournaments in the spring. Beyond competition, Bobbert wants the club to be a space for anyone who enjoys playing games to come together.
“We want to encourage anyone who is interested to join,” said Bobbert. “There is a stigma that people who play games are anti-social, but that is not the case at all.” He hopes to branch out to more diverse types of games outside of the standard esports genres.
“I am proud of our great student leaders who brought this program to our campus and helped create such a welcoming environment for any PTC student interested in online gaming,” said Cottrell.