AU Esports Expands Equipment
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Anderson, Ind. — Since its inaugural season in the fall of 2020, the Anderson University esports team has continued to grow in numbers. A recent donation will allow the team to continue to provide top-tier equipment with 13 new computers for the esports lab in Decker Hall.
“This will allow for more teams to be practicing at the same time, which allows for less separation of the teams,” said Matt Burnstedt, head esports coach. “This helps create a greater sense of unity among players that otherwise wouldn’t have any interaction.”
In just two years, the esports roster has grown to more than 50 athletes and the program continues to introduce new games. Recently, the team began competing in Apex Legends and Super Smash Bros. to go along with Call of Duty, Fortnite, League of Legends, Overwatch, Rocket League, and Valorant.
The esports lab originally had 10 computers, but will now house 22. An additional computer will be installed in the Black Bird Media Lab to increase broadcast capabilities, allowing the program to put on high-quality streams of live matches, as well as opening up new production possibilities.
“The high demand for access to computers makes scheduling practices and matches difficult at times,” said Justin Lambright, faculty advisor for esports. “For games like Overwatch, which have six players on a team, we will now be able to have the starters and subs scrimmage together in one location instead of having some players in the residence halls or off campus for practice.”
Follow Anderson University esports on Twitch to keep up-to-date with the latest competitions.
Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.