Rows of screens light up as the New Mexico State University Esports team competes in multiplayer video gaming.
NM State Esports is an organization that allows for competitive gaming on campus and offers a space for those who would like to meet new people and have fun.
Players compete in games including “Rainbow Six Siege,” “Call of Duty,” “League of Legends,” “Rocket League,” “Halo Infinite,” “Valorant,” “Super Smash Bros Ultimate” and “Overwatch.”
The team has grown since established in 2015, in players and the space they occupy. In fall 2018, Renay Scott, vice president for Student Success, connected the student organization with NMSU’s Information and Communication Technologies and Facilities and Services.
“I saw my role as cheerleader and helping them navigate the natural barriers and unknowns when trying to advance their ideas,” Scott said.
Upon receiving permission to utilize the ICT training lab, the lab computers had to be modified to be able to add games, change security and more. The club utilized the ICT training room after hours until it received its own gaming lab in Corbett Center Student Union in spring 2022.
“Since the lab’s completion, I have supported them through my own social media interactions with the team and also meeting with them when they had ideas for ways to promote esports,” Scott said.
One advancement of the team this year is the expansion of the organization through active communication with the community. The team wants to show what esports is, what competitors do and what the gaming industry entails. Due to the increased momentum created from the COVID-19 pandemic and its outreach efforts, the esports team has grown to signing members to the team.
“The club members do a tremendous job recruiting,” said Randey Bamford, adviser to the esports team. “Whether it’s an NMSU-sponsored esports event or a competitive event hosted by a different organization, their recruiting efforts are outstanding. They are very visible, friendly and approachable. They are tremendous ambassadors for NMSU and great at engaging potential recruits, easily selling them on our university and its esports program. NMSU Esports is the best collegiate esports organization in the state, by far, and the club members are responsible for that success.”
Freshman Ethan Sarles was the first student in New Mexico to commit and sign onto a college esports team in April 2022.
“I think it’s really exciting,” Sarles said. “I wasn’t expecting to be the first to do anything, but I think it’s a really cool experience and the whole signing event was just a really awesome experience.”
In addition to Sarles, 30 new players were signed and are committed to competing on the NM Esports team in 2022-2023.
“It shows that you can commit to a program, New Mexico State is just one of many, but you can commit to an educational esports program in New Mexico and follow your dreams in competitive gaming, all the while, obtaining a degree in whatever profession you wish to pursue after college,” said Ryan May, director of NM State Esports.
Many of the signees attended the 2022 New Mexico Activities Association State Esports Championship as well as the New Mexico State Invitational in March 2022.
The majority of newly-signed players are NMSU freshmen, although a handful of new members are transfers from numerous other institutions such as the University of New Mexico, San Juan College, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, University of Texas El Paso, Southeast New Mexico College and Colorado College.
The organization now has more than 1,700 total members and offers scholarships to players on the team.
“We’ve got plenty of great plans ahead of us and we’re just super happy to have the support from the university to pursue,” May said. “Future signings are already happening and as more requests come in, we’ll be sure to keep going with them, but there are plenty more to come.”
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