Submitted by Olivet College
(Photo provided: Ethan Weever)
Charlotte High School Senior is first to sign letter of intent. Competitive Esports is the latest athletic program at Olivet College and will have its inaugural season this fall. Elizabeth Layton has been named the esports director. She is believed to be the first director of esports in Michigan and was the first collegiate female esports coordinator in Louisiana.
Current and prospective students are already expressing interest in joining the team. “I’m feeling really good about our inaugural season. I’ve been meeting with current students who have been hungry for an esports team as well as future students, and I can tell that we’re creating something special,” Layton said.
The first high school student to sign a letter of intent to compete on the team is Charlotte High School senior Ethan Weever, a member of the school’s esports team. Layton said, “I’m so excited that we had our first esports signing. We’re making history. Ethan is such a talented player. I feel so lucky to have found him for this first season as we build the teams.”
The Olivet College esports program will be based in Block House, a new high-level esports competition space that will open in Olivet in August. The former Lamplighter restaurant, adjacent to the Cutler Athletic Complex, is being transformed into a community gathering space, complete with a restaurant, bar, entertainment, and esports competition arena that the team will use and be available for casual use.
A fast-growing, billion-dollar industry, esports describes the world of competitive, organized, multiplayer online video gaming. Competitors from different leagues or teams face off in the same popular games with at-home gamers. At the highest levels, these gamers are watched and followed by millions of fans worldwide, who attend live events or tune in on TV or online, often via streaming services such as Twitch.
“We’re creating something that’s never been done before at Olivet College. This first season will consist mostly of the teams and me getting to know each other, setting team standards, creating guidelines and learning what works best for us. For many of these players, competing in a venue, on a team, with a practice schedule is a very different approach to gaming. I’m excited to create that structure and show them their full potential,” said Layton.
For more information on the Olivet College esports program, contact Layton at elayton@olivetcolle.edu.
Established in 1844, Olivet College is a private, liberal arts institution located in south-central Michigan. The College remains dedicated to its academic vision of Education for Individual and Social Responsibility by providing a quality higher education to all, regardless of gender, race or financial means. From enrollment to graduation, Olivet College is committed to each student’s personal, academic and career success. www.olivetcollege.edu.
