E-sports at BU: Looking Ahead to Growth and Competition

First introduced in 2019, the Bluefield University e-sports team has rapidly grown into a successful athletic program, competing in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) under the Appalachian Athletic Conference and the Mid-South Conference. 

But what exactly is e-sports? Short for electronic sports, e-sports is a form of competition using video games, which often takes the form of organized, multiplayer video game competitions played individually or as teams. E-sports has been a growing phenomenon over the past decade and is even gaining traction on a global scale. The sport is now a $1 billion industry and is making its way onto college campuses, providing new opportunities for students to participate in competition, even at BU.

“Currently, we are working on getting a great group of individuals passionate about gaming and with a competitive drive to compete against other like-minded individuals,” said Madison Whisman, the coach for BU’s e-sports team. “As a high school e-sports coach before this, I witnessed how some students who never felt like they belonged in a traditional sports environment but had certain skills were able to hone those skills on an e-sports team. It gave them a place to belong and feel part of a team.”

Whisman said he currently has a great foundation of students but hopes to add more players come fall. He said he is looking forward to getting the team and the season started in 2025-2026.

“I am actively recruiting via our website and other sources, along with our admissions team helping to support that mission, as well by providing information about the program to students at high schools and college fairs that we visit,” Whisman said. “I am looking to add at least five more students for the 2025-2026 season and truly begin to compete in a league against other colleges and universities.”

To foster local engagement, the team is hosting a tournament for Tazewell County High School students to compete in BU’s e-sports facility on campus in the Science Center. In addition, an on-campus student tournament is planned to involve the campus community, showcase the program, and have fun. 

The benefits of expanding the team go beyond competition. Students can enjoy a welcoming and secure environment with access to powerful hardware to explore their passion. The program at BU also focuses on teamwork and communication while helping gamers gain the skills they need to succeed both inside and outside of the arena.

“I think growing the team can be beneficial in many different ways,” Whisman said. “I hope to create more student engagement, provide students opportunities to compete in a sport that does not match traditional sports, and create another team for students to cheer on. As the team grows and gets better, having a strong team can increase the reputation of our school as a whole. It helps show that BU has so much to offer for students of all kinds.” 

E-sports also provide academic and social benefits, such as teamwork, communication, and critical thinking — skills that are invaluable in the workforce. A growing team can also attract sponsors and additional school funding. Recently, the program secured a sponsorship from local business GigaBeam Networks for an upcoming tournament. But, competition requires preparation, dedication and strategy, all of which Whisman is providing to the team.

“I want to make sure that my team is prepped for the team they are facing,” Whisman explained. “I accomplish this through pre-match preparation, where I scout opponents, study their strategies, and pass on strategies to my team to combat that. After the match, I analyze the results and footage, identifying areas of improvement and ensuring that we continue to grow as a team throughout the season.” 

With the program’s continuous efforts and planned expansions, BU’s e-sports team is set to make waves in the competitive gaming arena while fostering community and creating opportunities for students to excel.