University of Delaware Esports team debuts new facility
NEWARK, Del. (BVM) — As with many universities across the country, the University of Delaware made its move to an online-based education while the state battled the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Adhering to state and national government restrictions, the university’s athletics practices and games were suspended on March 12 until further notice. However, one of the school’s newest teams may be able to work around the limitations to keep their skills up to a competitive level.
This spring was the launching point for the university’s new Blue Hen Esports team. The team is one of many in the emerging sport with over 150 colleges fielding esports teams nationwide. The Blue Hens, which held tryouts in the fall, compete in a number of collegiate esports leagues including the Electronic Gaming Federation, Tespa, and Collegiate Starleague. The team began play in January and has been competing with other collegiate teams in four games: Rocket League, Overwatch, League of Legends and Hearthstone.
The highlight moment of the season came when the university unveiled its brand-new esports stadium inside the Perkins Student Center on Feb. 21. The 1,800-square-foot arena houses 33 high performance HP Omen PCs with competition chairs, a separate strategy room for team meetings and provides 25 games for visitors to play. The arena also has a broadcast booth with multiple camera angles to provide live play-by-play. All members of the campus community can use the facility when it is open.
The team will have its own space within the arena on an elevated stage with six dedicated PCs.
Unfortunately for the team, it will not be able to access its new facility for a bit due to the university’s COVID-19 restrictions which limit the amount of people that can be in certain areas and have closed numerous facilities throughout the campus.
However, this has not stopped the team from continuing to hone their craft. Over the March 28 weekend, the esports team competed in the Meal Plan Community Tournament, a student-run Overwatch tournament, while the main season events were delayed.
Being able to compete without having to have much human interaction is a benefit not many teams are allowed to have in today’s COVID-19 world. Fortunately for the Blue Hen Esports team, they can continue to improve their skills as a unit as they await league play to resume.
