WESTLAKE, MARCH 20 — Six students at Cuyahoga Community College are playing video games on a Monday night at the Westshore campus, but their coach doesn’t seem to mind.  The six– DJ Foreman,  Xavier Granville, Nick Novak, Alundis Hayes, Anthony Vidas, and Fin Wigmore — are striving to beat Luzerne Community College (in Pennsylvania) in a 6-on-6 team shooter game called Marvel Rivals.

DJ and Xavier play tanks, controlling the playing field and dictating the flow of the game. Nick and Alundis are damage dealers, reducing their opponents’ capabilities and eliminating them from the game.  Anthony and Fin play support, providing healing to their teammates and adding damage boosts against the opposition.

The Triceratops team emerges with a 3-0 victory over Luzerne, continuing Tri-C’s unbeaten esports streak in playing Marvel Rivals.

The six are among more than two dozen students comprising the nascent esports team at Tri-C. Just begun this academic year, the students and the program are having fun, making waves, and achieving growth and success even before game time. They’ve certainly made an impact on their first-year advisor, esports head coach Michael Piero. Dr. Piero teaches English, but three nights a week he can be found on the third floor of a classroom at the Westshore campus being used as eSports central for the college.

New to esports? Here’s a roster of frequently used terms. Don’t be grieving. GLHF!

“I’ve been so impressed by the level of dedication and discipline these players bring to their games each practice and competition, but also throughout the week,” says Dr. Piero. “These players not only want to win, but they also support each other, help one another grow, and bring an attitude of being willing each night to teach and learn form their peers.”

Wigmore, a native of England, came to Northeast Ohio as a trailing spouse when his wife’s employer transferred her here. “The esports program is a fantastic opportunity to connect and develop key skills … all while having an absolute blast,” he says.

“I am taking programming and development, and I also have a large interest in hardware and technology, so I have been able to work on some IT & support tasks for the program. It’s minor, but it still gives me experience,” Wigmore adds. “Developing the ability to work effectively within a team while striving towards a common goal has strengthened my understanding of collaboration. Clear communication … has been essential to our success.”

 Hayes concurs with his teammate.

Here is the Triceratops esports player roster, complete with jersey numbers and majors.

“I’ve been playing video games pretty much all my life, all the way back to the Nintendo 64 days, and now I’m learning how to better communicate and grow with strangers who’ve become my teammates,” he says. “In the past I played solo games, so I relied on my own raw skills rather than collaborating. The vibes we share and the fun we have is terrific.”

A gamer himself, Dr. Piero sees many non-competition benefits of the program both for his team members and the college.

“An esports team not only involved development of technical, communication, strategy, research and social skills for plays, but also often provided opportunities for even more career-related experience,” he points out. “We have also focused on health and nutrition lessons during the first half of our inaugural season.”

Students on the esports team also helped design the squad’s jersey, seen in the photos.

Tri-C’s team competes at the Division III level of the National Junior College Athletic Associaton Esports, or NJCAAE. The are more than 200 NJCAA institutions offering esports, with more than 9,000 students participating. Another 300 four-year colleges and universities are offering esports, an increase of 60 percent over the past four years.  More than 100 colleges offer esports scholarships as well.

Here’s the link to the Triceratops’ esports webpage: (The team is 17-25 as of March 18) https://athletics.tri-c.edu/sports/esports/index

“Our esports program is truly coming together! Being introduced to Dr. Piero through (assistant professor) Dr. Johnie Reed was the final piece of the puzzle that got everything rolling,” says Anthony Franklin, executive director of athletics, wellness and recreation at Tri-C.  “We’re especially excited about soon opening our dedicated Esports Center, currently being constructed from an existing classroom at our Westshore campus. Exciting times are ahead for this program.”