Allyson Cikor, Kodiaks Athletics Esports coordinator, says the team likes to brag that the eSports games they stream on Twitch get more attendance than in-house games.
Since its creation, esports has been gaining traction in the post secondary scene, with many institutions now having varsity teams for those who love competitive gaming.
These teams even come with benefits that sports like volleyball and basketball get, including scholarships, coaching and even their own equipment.
Here at Lethbridge College, Kodiaks athletics initially started the program as a way for gamers to connect during the pandemic.
It has since grown to include intramurals, community connections with high schools and the varsity program where they compete with other institutions across the country.
With the program being so new, it also comes with some challenges.
Justin Garrick, Kodiaks eSports coach, says changing a player’s mindset is the most difficult part of coaching.
“Just this year’s competitive atmosphere that some players aren’t really used to, they’re used to playing online with friends. When we step here into the Esports room and have a practice or very focus intensive practice then the view of how they see gaming changes and the attitudes and perceptions get a lot more serious.”
Even though the program is relatively new, the Kodiaks eSports team has already had some success with their Valorant squad making playoffs in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC).
Allyson Cikor, Kodiaks esports coordinator, says while the program had a bit of a rough start, they are hoping to become more competitive down the road.
“Now that we’ve kind of found our footing, we’re really hoping to be more competitive.”
Cikor estimates with the current rate of development in the esports industry, it will be around three to four years before Canada catches up to the level of competition in the United States.
“There are schools that are competing at the international level and winning and there are schools who are even fresher than us, where they’re kind of just clubs at the moment and they’re feeling it out. So there’s a range all the way from club to semi- professional. We’re kind of in the early end, but somewhere in the middle.”
With the Esports team recruiting six new players at their tryouts to create a full roster, it is very likely the Kodiaks eSports team will have a very strong season.
