Gaming has developed many stereotypes throughout recent years, most of which shed a negative light. However, the eSports Association of SIUE is working to change this image.

The eSports Association of SIUE President Ben Henley said he enjoys being a part of this association because it helps to give gaming a better public face.

“[Gaming] has a lot of negative aspects attached to it,” Henley said. “I want to take that and say, ‘This is something everyone can do and can be used as a force for good, a force for change.’ A lot of the people in the club may not find their outlet in other places, so it becomes a great thing.”

Originally founded in April 2013 as the League of Legends Club of SIUE, the organization began with fewer than 10 people interested. Now, a year and a half later, it has gone to over 230 members on their Facebook page.

The name change came along when the national organization, the eSports Association, contacted the members and suggested it become a chapter of their organization.

Henley said the group had always considered incorporating other games besides “League of Legends,” and when the national organization suggested the organization consider that very thing, it was excited to jump on board.

“We all liked a bunch of different games; [League of Legends] just happened to be what we were into at the time,” Henley said. “After a while we thought, ‘Why don’t we branch out so we can include other things as well?’ That way we can reach an even bigger audience while still maintaining what we’re all about.”

Vice President Tyler Agnew said this organization has become important to him because he enjoys being involved in something that is making a difference.

“Being a part of this is a good way to not only bring people together, but to give people a good place to hang out, no matter what their background is,” Agnew said. “Since video games are for everyone, we are really devoted to having a diverse range of students.”

Henley said in order to get members, the organization originally took to student organization fairs. However, it never saw much success.

“We generally do bad in those because no one really comes up to us. We discovered it’s because people who would be interested tend to stay away and aren’t as socially oriented as other people,” Henley said. “So we have shifted; we’ve done word of mouth and social media and that seems to be what works [to get members]. We aren’t opposed to advertising, it just doesn’t work as well.”

Events Coordinator Jacob Baird said this organization helps bring people with a similar interest together, in a competitive manner.

“Playing friendly is fun, but when you add the competitive aspect, it adds a whole new level I enjoy,” Baird said. “We help people get competitive and better, not only at the games but at all other aspects of life. When you are on a team, you have to be able to take constructive criticism and learn how to work with a team—things that’ll help you all throughout life.”

Henley said the association is also dedicated to giving back to the community.

“Video games have a tendency to have the social idea that they are not very healthy, that you spend a lot of time in them and there’s no reward,” Henley said. “We try to make a reward at the end by participating in different charity events.”

The association partakes in various tournaments where proceeds go toward an array of charities. The association, in partner with Alpha Phi Omega, hosted a “Super Smash Bros.” tournament this past weekend in the Morris University Center to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This event is the organization’s first full-fledged, tournament-oriented event. It also hosts stress relief events each semester to encourage students to play video games rather than get bogged down with studying.

Henley said because of the nature of its events, the organization wants to pull in both students and non-students. Therefore, it holds fundraisers and events similar to these in an effort to raise money. The organization also requires its members to pay $5 in dues, which along with contributing to this fund, provides members with a club T-shirt and access to special events.

The organization holds weekly meetings at 4 p.m. on Fridays in the Student Success Center. Henley said any business that needs attending to is taken care of at the beginning of meetings. Once this is out of the way, members are welcome to bring a TV and game system and stay as long as they want playing games.

“It’s a good way to bring community to an area where people don’t generally socialize,” Henley said. “People usually sit in their dorm room online, so now they can play in an environment where they are forced to interact with other people.”

To learn more about the eSports Association, stop by one of the organization’s meetings or visit its Facebook page at SIUe eSports.

Caitlin Grove

Via alestlelive.com