Each semester, the Huskie Gaming Club opens slots for students to compete against other colleges in the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC). The Huskie Gaming Club is currently seeking players for their “League of Legends,” “Valorant,” “Rainbow Six Siege,” “Rocket League,” “Overwatch” and “Counter Strike 2” competitive teams.
In order to participate, students must have full-time status. Unlike the varsity Esports team, the club is open to commuter and online students.
According to Interim Director of NIU Esports Eli Curry, the club emphasizes creating an environment welcoming to both beginners and experienced players alike.
“Typically skill level is something that we try not to gatekeep based off of at the student club level, because everyone who wants to participate deserves a chance to,” Curry said.
Practice times and lengths vary depending on the game being played, with most teams meeting at least one day per week.
According to senior Huskie Gaming club President Collen Larsen, competitions are held online but players are encouraged to play alongside their teammates in the NIU Esports Arena located in Altgeld Hall, Room 100.
“I encourage my players when possible to play from the arena. It helps build team spirit. It’s just a fun experience playing with all your friends in person at the arena. It’s an awesome space,” Larsen said.
There is a $25 registration fee for all players to participate in competitions, but the club can work with students who are unable to pay the costs upfront.
“We try to work with students. I know we had a few students who might not be able to pay it, so we’re looking into other options like having them help us volunteering,” Larsen said.
Outside of the screen, participants in the Huskie Gaming club develop soft skills that can be applied later in life. Players on the club team receive objective, real-time feedback from other team members and learn to overcome failure.
“In my view, it gives students the opportunity to experience failure in a way that is not so heartbreaking, that is not so detrimental to your resources and to your time, so that you learn what it’s like to not succeed at something right away and understand that there’s a way to overcome that failure and to, you know, gather yourself back up and try again,” Curry said.
For Larsen, the Huskie Gaming community goes beyond the Esports arena.
“I’ve made lifelong friends throughout the club and through the “Overwatch” team. I’ve made very good friends. I’m roommates with one of them. I wouldn’t have done that if I didn’t join the club,” Larsen said.
The deadline for players to join competitive teams for the spring semester is Friday. For more information on how to join, visit the Huskie Gaming Linktree.