Esports is now at Fresno State

Fresno State already has a huge sports program, and now it’s getting bigger with the new esports program.

The program launched in the fall of 2019 and allows gaming students to play PC games in collegiate competition or for recreation. Their program features two varsity teams–one team for Overwatch and another team for League of Legends.

“We got Mountain West,” said Josh Tolbert, the Overwatch varsity head coach. We got TESPA, and it’s something healthy for these students and it really brings out great things in them.”

Fresno State student Adam Mason found out about the program before the semester started.

“They mentioned it at the Dog Days orientation. After that I went to the website and found out all the information I needed,” Mason said.

The Overwatch team competes in TESPA, a collegiate esports organization, while the League of Legends team competes in the Mountain West Conference.

“We practice. We play games. We learn more about teamwork and how to play our games and roles, how to win. Typical sports things,” Mason said.

Both players and coaches have seen growth and benefits through the program.

“The people I’ve met through it and playing competitively is fun. But the people, it’s helped me meet a lot of new people and that’s nice,” Mason said.

“Just packed, packed, packed with talent. I’m always getting better, they’re always getting better,” Tolbert added.

The players and coaches are dedicating a lot of their time to putting all of their skills together to make their season a successful one.