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Tatyana Ross
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Jackson State University is in the process of creating an Esports team to compete in the HBCU Esports league with faculty sponsor and coach, Nathan Towery, Ph.D.
To further aid Towery and other students interested in joining the team, the Innovation Center has invested in creating a facility to have PCs and consoles set up in the H.T. Sampson Library on the second floor.
Jackson State is viewing Esports as a potential recruiting tool for incoming students that are interested in playing competitive games professionally.
The team roster is still in process because everything has not been confirmed. Towery said they are still chartering with the university to make it official.
The club has hosted a couple of tournaments to build interest up for students to join. Towery said there were roughly 20 students who showed up to play 2K and Madden.
Towery also stated that roster sizes vary when it comes to competitive gaming.
“Apex Legends is going to have four slots, Overwatch is going to have five slots, and 2K and Madden are going to have two slots for each,” Towery said. “Let’s say a game like Call of Duty, you’ll have five members of a team compete against another team with five members from another school, the goal is to win against the other team just like any other sport.”
He views Esports the same as he would view any other competitive sport like basketball, football, or soccer. Towery said he played in a few different tournaments growing up but he has been streaming on Twitch since 2019.
However, this is his first time being a coach and helping run a program, but he said he is an active member in the Esports community and now he wants to provide that opportunity for the students.
Towery and Jackson State’s ultimate goal for the club is to create teams for competitive games like League of Legends, Apex Legends, and Overwatch and compete against other schools. With the new addition of the Esports club, those who wish to play professionally now have the opportunity to make it to the big leagues.
The club hopes to enter some tournaments next month with their Apex Legends team.
“The lineup is pretty solid of who’s going to compete, in Apex there’s three that compete and then you have a substitute. We have those four ready to go, so on that side we’re pretty solid.” Towery said.
Tariq Jenkins, a senior computer technology major from Monticello, Ark., and a player on the Apex Legends roster, said he is excited to compete in the upcoming tournament with his team. Jenkins expressed that he feels their team has a great chance at winning and they have already set goals to be the best team in the SWAC.
“I’m looking forward to being in that ‘Esports atmosphere’. Gaming is a passion of mine and I will be competing at the highest level,” Jenkins said. “This is my first opportunity to learn how an esports team and program operates.
Jenkins knows that Jackson State’s Esports program is in its infancy so it makes him feel like their team has something to prove. He said with Towery’s coaching the team has been able to improve their skills together as a team and individually.
“It is so important to showcase the opportunities that gaming brings, as I don’t see many people that look like me at the top,” Jenkins said. “I would hope to be able to inspire others so that they have the confidence and knowledge to achieve their goals as well, no matter how hard it may seem.”
The club wants to also have lineups for their Overwatch and Valorant team for the next semester, but he said that will be determined on the interest level of students.
The reveal of the Esports team shocked some of Jackson State’s students because they were not aware of the SWAC’s involvement in esports.
Terrell Cobb, a psychology major from St. Louis, Mo., was one of the students surprised by the reveal but he said he thinks about it as another show of talent coming from Jackson State
“I feel like that’s a great way to further show black excellence. Lots of black people have so many talents and gaming is one of them, so why not have a place where they can compete,” Cobb said. “It may not be physical but it’s definitely just as competitive as other sports. It’s just virtual.”
Kejuan Barbee, a sophomore computer engineering major from Chicago, Ill., and defensive lineman on the football team, does not think that esports requires a lot physically but he said the new team will allow other students to get involved.
“It will probably bring a new world to this campus. I believe the Esports world is pretty big. There are a lot of people in the world who love to compete on the game,” Barbee said. “That’s why people make gaming organizations. I think gaming brings a lot of people together.”
According to HBCU ESPORTS, the industry is growing fast and esports is currently gaining a lot of popularity. There are currently 24 HBCUs involved in the HBCU Esports league.
“In terms of HBCUs and SWAC, I would probably say Southern has the best program right now in terms of that aspect.” Towery said. “Personally, I would like to emulate what Southern has and also the University of Mississippi given that they’re in our state. Those two programs are what I am striving to emulate in the way we handle our club and competition.”
He also mentioned that Grambling University and Morgan State University have exceptional esports programs.
According to Towery, the Esports club will not only cater to competitors. He said he is creating a space for students to express their love for video games.
“Our club is open to anyone, boy or girl. You don’t have to compete, it’s a space to enjoy video games and connect with others over video games.” Towery said.
For any additional information check out their Instagram page @JSUESPORTSCLUB. You also reach out to Towery via his email address: Nathan.a.towery@jsums.edu.
Levon Campbell contributed to this article.
