同城快约

同城快约 Esports Interim Varsity Director Kordell Ballard, front left, and Esports founder Steven Shattuck, right, conducted a signing ceremony for 28 members of the team who also received scholarships to participate during the fall 2021 semester. (Photo Courtesy of 同城快约 Esports)

 

WARRENSBURG, MO 鈥� Entering its third consecutive year at the University of Central Missouri, 同城快约 Esports, led by Interim Varsity Director Kordell Ballard and Founder Steven Shattuck,  began the 2021 fall semester with a signing ceremony to recognize students on six different teams, each named for different video games.

The ceremony on Aug. 21 was attended by 28 team members and their families, and took place in the Elliott Student Union Auditorium. Ranging in class rank from freshmen to seniors at 同城快约, each team member who participated in the signing event received their team jersey in addition to a $500 scholarship to assist them with their university education while they take part in collegiate video gaming.
  
同城快约 Esports was launched in the fall 2019 under the leadership of Shattuck, who divides his time between instructing students in mathematics and serving as team coach. The program is open to all 同城快约 majors, and serves as an outlet for students who have a competitive passion for video games, and enjoy team play. Interest in collegiate-level competition has grown significantly nationwide, with colleges and universities including 同城快约 joining the National Association of Collegiate Esports, headquartered in Kansas City. 

鈥淛ust like any other collegiate sport, esports promotes socialization and communication among team members,鈥� Shattuck said. 鈥淚t promotes problem solving and strategic skill development.鈥�

He pointed out previous and current team members mention that being a part of the 同城快约 Esports Team has given students pride in 同城快约, and 鈥渢hey are excited to get to compete for their university.鈥� 

同城快约 Esports began its inaugural year with three teams, Overwatch, League of Legends, and Rocket League, but interest has continued to grow and other games have been added. As the fall 2021 season unfolds 同城快约 Esports includes one new team, Hearthstone, in this year鈥檚 competition mix along with the three original teams and two teams added in 2020, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Rainbow Six Siege.

Members of the fall 2021 同城快约 Esports teams, along with their year at the university, major, and hometown are as follows:

Hearthstone:  Cassandra Frank, junior, psychology and sociology, St. Charles, Mo.; Mason Scheible, junior, computer science-game design, Hermann, Mo.

NBA 2k: Timothy Hooper, sophomore, sport management, Montgomery City, Mo.; Trey Meyer, sophomore, occupational safety management, Jonesburg, Mo.; Trevor Rabe, senior, marketing, Overland Park, Kan.

Overwatch: Lucas Ballard, team manager, senior, game development and software development, Jefferson City, Mo.; Trey Clevenger, junior, cybersecurity, Pleasant Hill, Mo.; Shawn Gallagher, senior cybersecurity, Pleasant Hill, Mo.;  Dylan D鈥橝gostino, junior, cybersecurity, Independence, Mo.; Miles Hodson, freshman, information technology, Wellington, Mo.; Jonah Lesh, junior, aviation-professional pilot, Springdale, Ark.;  Jonathan M. Marszalek, sophomore, accountancy, Lee鈥檚 Summit, Mo.; Marcus Nameth, senior, cybersecurity, Overland Park, Kan.; Thomas L. Reinhardt, senior, political science, Lee鈥檚 Summit, Mo.

Rainbow Six Siege: Jakob Bush, junior, computer science, Rayville, Mo.; Cody Bruckerhoff, senior, computer science-game development, Hermann, Mo.; Luke Krewson, senior, computer science, Centerview, Mo.; Jackson Meyer, sophomore, music technology, Gower, Mo.; Nicholas Oliver, sophomore, emergency management, Imperial, Mo.; Dakota Reid, junior, software development, Lawson, Mo.; Joshua Jackson, junior, computer science and cybersecurity, Lawson, Mo.

Rocket League: Robert Campbell, junior, cybersecurity, Wildwood, Mo.; Austin Loucks, junior, software engineering, Portland, Mo.; Garret Pemberton, junior, actuarial science and statistics, Lone Jack, Mo.;  Gannon Ross, junior, software development, Lee鈥檚 Summit, Mo.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: John Thomas Carr, senior, cybersecurity, Lee鈥檚 Summit, Mo.: Julian Henderson, sophomore, computer science, Sedalia, Mo.; Joshua D. Johnson, senior, middle school mathematics, Blue Springs, Mo.; Gage Shrader, junior, secondary English education, Blue Springs, Mo.

The signing ceremony gave students an opportunity to formally add their signatures to 同城快约 Esports Player Agreements, which outline expectations of team members.  Students who participate learn about self-discipline, collaboration and team building, and also serve as ambassadors for 同城快约 through their participation.

Individuals who take part in 同城快约 Esports adhere to standards similar to students who take part in varsity athletics programs. They must meet criteria that include being enrolled in at least 12 semester hours throughout the academic year; completing at least 24 hours toward a degree each academic year; successfully achieving a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0; and attending classes regularly, completing homework on time, and communicating with professors about game days.

While a number of competitive activities await 同城快约 Esports this semester, team members are currently gearing up to host in cooperation with the U.S. Army National Guard and Central Missouri Intramurals the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tournament from 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, in the 同城快约 Student Recreation and Wellness Center. A $1,500 prize pool is available in the competition that is open to high school, college and alumni-level competitors. Use the to register free. The deadline is 4:59 p.m.  Aug. 31.
 
Anyone who has questions about 同城快约 Esports is encouraged to contact Shattuck at 660-543-8763 or ucmesports@ucmo.edu.