The newest college team starts their season early next week
BY: JACOB POLITTE
Managing Editor
On Sept. 24, the college held its ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new eSports facility. The new facility, housed on the ground floor of the college’s South County campus off Meramec Bottom Road near Arnold, took about six months to construct and cost a little over the $850,000 budget it was allotted according to Chancellor Jeff Pittman, who spoke at the ceremony.
“I’m learning about eSports,” the Chancellor said. “So I’m not really sure what all this is about. But I know that it’s really big noise in the United States right now. It draws millions of viewers and users, and it involves a lot of really great career paths in marketing and business in technology.”
After remarks by STLCC Athletics Director Sharon Marquardt, Pittman was presented an STLCC eSports jersey signed by players from the team, which begins officially competing against other two-year colleges this week.
“Maybe I can be your mascot,” Pittman joked as he thanked those involved for the gift.
The 1,900-square-foot eSports space, formerly occupied by the building’s multipurpose room, features strategizing areas and state-of-the-art equipment, including 18 PCs and gaming systems like PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, according to a Press Release sent to The Montage by the college’s Communications Manager Bill Raack.
““We’re so excited to kick off our eSports program, and the redeveloped space is absolutely amazing,” said Marquardt in the press release. “We have a new coach, a new team, and now we have a first-class space for them to compete in.”
The college’s eSports coordinator and coach, Robert Cruz, said that he can’t recall seeing anything like what STLCC has constructed for eSports before.
“This is a surreal space,” Cruz said. “This is a space that is going to be unique in it’s own right, both in character and design and the overall atmosphere we bring into it. You won’t find anything like this from the east to the western sea board.”
Those looking to get involved with the eSports program can contact Cruz at rcruz9@stlcc.edu and visit the newly redesigned Archers Athletics website.
