SIUE Esports Finishes Fourth in Collegiate Call of Duty Competition
Participation in competitive online gaming has become increasingly popular, with opportunities for building community with other players and to showcase gaming skills nationwide.
SIUE’s Esports team is gradually making its mark in the industry, most recently finishing fourth overall during the collegiate Call of Duty (CCL) spring season.
The team went undefeated in the main portion of the CCL league consisting of 205 teams. Subsequently, the team progressed to a bracket of 60 teams which would later participate in a playoff of 32 teams. Eight teams proceeded to the final, represented in-person at Columbus, Ohio. SIUE Esports team members who traveled to Columbus included Ryan Pree, Drevin Day, Mohammad Khan and Michael Simpson.
“I was proud as ever when our team finished in the top four among many strong programs,” said Ben Wilke, of St. Rose, president and manager of the SIUE Esports Club. “We started the Call of Duty portion of our club in 2019.”
“I am incredibly proud of our club’s success this year,” shared Pree, of Elburn. “I joined the club almost three years ago just looking for a group of friends. Now, we are one of the most competitive teams in collegiate Call of Duty.”
Wilke underscored the value of sufficient resources for sustaining the team and achieving greater feats in the future. He noted the significance of winning at this time, as the team is recruiting more athletes to strengthen its competitiveness.
The SIUE Esports Club, housed in Campus Recreation, was established in 2013 and has approximately 200 student members. The club offers both competitive and recreational Esports opportunities, with eight varsity teams participating in various regional and nationally-recognized leagues. The SIUE Esports Arena opened in January 2020 in Bluff Hall.
To learn more about Esports at SIUE, visit siue.edu/esports.
Photo: SIUE student, Ryan Pree, competing in the collegiate Call of Duty competition.
