Ole Miss Locks Into Video Gaming Competition Through Esports

Who says you have to be a 200-pound muscle man or woman to be an athlete? Today Ole Miss announced it’s about to get more competitive in the world of Esports.

Cray Pennison is president of the Ole Miss Esports organization. He joined the provost in a news conference Thursday to reveal how the university will be stepping up its online game. The 200-member club plans to establish 10 separate teams that will compete in intercollegiate events, starting this semester.

“We want to be the first to not only do it here but [the one that] does it the best,” Pennison said. “To show that we can compete at the highest level of all these sports across the entire country.”

Esports at Ole Miss has been around for about 18 months. Provost Noel Wilkin says the university is supporting a series of competitions between Rebel gamers and other college teams, and he says video games have more value than people might think.

“The real beneficiaries are our students,” Wilkin said. “This will help them develop and refine soft skills of leadership, teamwork, communication, and task environments. Things that will help them in their careers.”

The Ole Miss Esports organization is planning to host the first competition at the Pavilion against Mississippi State in what they’re calling the Esports Egg Bowl.

The event will be held on October 13th and will be open to the public.

Story contributed by Meek School of Journalism & New Media students Madison Aman and Kory Kalhoun.