Introducing the Vandal Esports Team

In the basement of the Bruce Pitman Center, you can find the University of Idaho Esports team practicing for their upcoming matches. In a dimly lit computer lab, the smell of popcorn lingers around students clicking away with headsets on, laughing and practicing with each other.  

What started as a computer gaming club has transitioned into a competitive collegiate Esports team this year. The University of Idaho Vandal Esports team is quickly improving its program and creating an Esports legacy at UI.  

The Vandal Esports team competes in four main games: Valorant, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Rocket League, and Counterstrike. At the beginning of every semester, players try out for the teams and are delegated into varsity and junior varsity leagues.  

Teams for each game practice together under a coach or team captain, who is usually decided by the team.  

The Vandal Esports Valorant team captain and coach is Jacob Holloway, a sophomore who has played on the Valorant team for two years. Holloway, who uses the gamer tag Cheese, explained his role in the team and how teamwork is an important part of the Esports team.  

“I serve as the in-game leader, so I go over what we should be doing, what we will do and then after games, I’ll be the one to host practices and meetups to talk to the team and make sure that we’re improving every week,” Holloway said. “I go over the games that we had in the past and see what we messed up on, what we did well, and what we should fix for the next week.” 

Wayne Ebenroth, the Esports program specialist, describes the team as a very welcoming place.  

“You build friendships, and it feels like a second home for a lot of people,” Ebenroth said. “The team also helps with communication skills. It helps with teamwork; it helps with being able to listen to other people and understand where they’re coming from.” 

Both Holloway and Ebenroth commented on their desire to have more live audiences for their matches against other universities. While the games may be played online, an in-person audience raises the stakes.  

“I wish there were more people watching in person,” Holloway said. “It is just a different effect when there’s in-person spectators. It is more fun when there’s a live audience. I get a lot more competitive.” 

However, if you are unable to attend their games in person, the Vandal Esports team has a Twitch channel where all their games are broadcast. Past games are also available to watch.  

Summer Muster and Amelia Green are two students who have taken on roles as shoutcasters for the Esports team.  

“We’re just essentially the commentators, trying to bring some life to the game especially for those that might just be casual enjoyers,” Muster said. “Being in front of the camera and being able to talk to an audience and hopefully bring some excitement and engagement is really rewarding.” 

Along with shoutcasting, Green also writes their weekly wrap-ups, summarizing their games and stats for the team. 

“I’m a shoutcaster, but I am able to get opportunities behind the camera to run production, I’m able to run the stream, I can help with lighting, I can help with inventory,” Muster said. “There are so many opportunities here. There are countless jobs and skills that I am able to learn while being a part of the program. Wayne is willing to let us participate in anything that piques our interest.”  

There are many different work-study jobs available to work on the Esports team, whether it’s production, marketing, or communications.  

The Esports team is a place made for everyone. Whether you love playing games, watching others play games, or being involved in behind-the-scenes jobs, there is a place for you within the Esports team.  

The team expressed their desire to make students feel welcome and get involved in the team.  

“I think what we’re trying to build here is a place where many of the students that typically don’t feel like they have a place where they belong on campus can find a place here,” Ebenroth said. “It’s nice to be able to pull students out of their dorms and into a place where they can be around other people and enjoy being around other people.” 

Georgia Swanson can be reached at [email protected]