Championships and a huge increase in roster size have marked the success of the fledgling Wayne State College Esports team.

The esports team’s roster has doubled in size in the second year of competition, according to the Esports team’s head coach, Nick Sutton. This semester the team has 90 rostered players, and a community of over 250 WSC students, including 26 competitive teams.

Success for the team is measured not only in championships or size, but in comradery and personal growth. However, according to Sutton, championships have come as a result of their hard work and dedication. Last semester the WSC esports team won the Eastern Colligate Athletics Conference’s Commissioner’s cup, for the best overall league performance.

“I don’t think it matter how many trophies we have. Trophies come with the development as players,” Sutton said. “I get to know every single one of them. I learn what drives them and where they want to end up. For me, success is giving my players the environment to reach their goals.”

Every successful team needs a good environment to practice and compete in, and for the WSC esports team, The Den, located on the lower level of the Student Center, is that place.

“The Den gives us an awesome environment,” Bennett Hoffman, senior and captain of the undefeated Rainbow Six Siege team, said. “There is something about playing together with your team, playing next to your teammates, and having that energy. It creates a competitive environment where everyone can thrive.”

The esports team thrives on competition, there is at least one team competing in the Den every night according to Sutton. They compete against schools all over the country, including Florida State and Boise State. The Den currently is fitted with 12 gaming computers and two rooms for teams to sharpen their skills.

“I practice every night,” Hoffman said. “I practice from about 9pm to 1am each night, we put a lot of work in. We find time to get better, and we have a full team practice at least once a week.”

The quick growth and success of the team has Sutton looking toward the future of the program. The team hopes to expand the Den into an arena with enough equipment to field as many teams as the student body can put together.

The team has already begun to find new avenues to grow their sport. This semester they began working with the Media Department to stream and comment on the action. Sutton hopes that this newfound partnership can lead to a bigger place.

“Within the next 5 years, it is my personal goal to push into academics,” Sutton said. “I’d like to see an expansion into the academic side of things with media studies and sports management. I’d like to have students get experience in esports management and event production.”

Students who are interested in joining the Esports team are welcome to fill out the interest form on the WSC website or attend the tryouts at the beginning of each semester.