ADA, Okla. – The East Central University Esports team has kicked off the Spring 2024 semester in the Bill S. Cole University Center (UCTR) with ECU students taking part in multiple gaming groups while also playing host to Okla. high schools from across the state.
Two high school Esports events have taken place on the ECU campus since the start of the semester. A tournament that took place on Jan. 20 saw student representatives from the districts of Byng, Latta, Panama and Poteau all converge in the UTCR for a tournament.
On Feb. 3, seven high schools, including Atoka, Byng, Buffalo Valley, Holdenville, Latta, Potoe and Weleetka, met on the ECU campus to compete in a regional qualifier tournament to earn a spot at the State competitions. Jackson Collins, a student from Byng, finished second place to secure a placement in State.
“ECU Tiger Esports is proud to partner with local schools to promote a community of competition and growth.” stated ECU Tigers Esports coach Cody Soden. “Building relationships with our local schools is critical to the future success of ECU Tiger Esports.”
ECU’s own Esports team includes participation in an Overwatch season that began Feb. 6, Fortnite duos that began Feb. 10 and a League of Legends campaign that begins Feb. 26 with an additional six players also participating in Street Fighter invitationals throughout the semester.
Currently there are 20 ECU students involved in the Esports eight-week season with the potential for the season to continue an additional four weeks into playoffs.
Matches are posted regularly on the ECU Tigers Esports social media pages and can be viewed on screens in the UCTR or by visiting twitch.tv/ecutigeresports.
For questions or more information about ECU Tigers Esports, email Soden at csoden@ecok.edu.