Welcome to Esports
Esto fidelis et esto praeclarus
Be faithful and be excellent
What is Esports and Why Lipscomb?
Esports is a team of students competing in a specific game against another team of students, but it is also an opportunity for students to build community, experience the values of discipline and teamwork, practice sportsmanship, and enjoy competition in a Christian atmosphere. Esports is one of the fastest growing sports among schools with over $16 million in scholarships offered by colleges in 2020 alone. With very few schools in the area having established esports teams, Lipscomb seeks to be on the cutting edge of affording these opportunities to students.
Structure and Design
Lipscomb Academy esports is divided into two divisions. The Middle School Division is coached and led by Greg Snodgrass during the Spring season and Eric Adams during the Fall season. The academy competes in Smash Brothers for Nintendo Switch (ESRB 10+), Rocket League (ESRB E), Minecraft (ESRB E), Fortnight (ESRB T), and Chess (ESRB E).
The High School Division is coached by in-house esports veteran, Tyler Mason. Games competed in include Overwatch2 (ESRB T), Super Smash Brothers on Nintendo Switch (ESRB 10+), Fortnight (ESRB T), and Rocket League (ESRB E).
An explanation of ESRB ratings for games can be found at https://www.esrb.org/.
We are partnered with three organizations for the 2022-2023 seasons. Our games are run through High School Esports League (HESL) and Middle School Esports League (MESL), Vanta League, and Electronic Gaming Federation (EGF).
The competitive rules for each game are linked below.
Both HSEL and MSEL rank players using a matchmaking ranking (MMR) system. This system determines placement in tournaments, leaderboards, and pairing with opponents during season play. The “Skill Rating” or “MMR” is an aggregate # determined by a few factors:
1. Roster W/L record
2. Roster win %
3. Opponent avg. win %
Win % is in regards to ROUNDS within matches, so if you clean sweep 3-0 to win the match, you have 100% win percentage, whereas a 3-2 match win will result in a lower win % percentage.
The system matches by individual user + roster record, so once the queue system has about two weeks of data, matches become much more accurate and even skill-wise. At the beginning of a season, these factors are still working themselves out, but by week three, players should begin to see a balance in skill-based matchmaking. This idea of matchups by skill rating is called “Swiss”, and while the queue system isn’t TRUE Swiss, over all, it results in healthier and STRONGER competition.
EGF ranks players based upon win loss records exclusively.
For both divisions, tryouts will be held from August 29 - September 9 with rosters being communicated shortly after. The number of players for each game will be determined by the coaches for each division. Please note that we want everyone who desires to be a part of Esports to have a place with the team. If students do not make their game of choice, it is highly encouraged that students try out for another game.
A parent information session will be held on August 24th directly after school from 3:45-4:15.
Schedule and Practice
All practices and most competitions will take place in room 137 in Harding Hall. Practices begin promptly after school and last until 4:30. With the exception of high school Smash, most competitions will take place via a queue system between 4:00 - 5:00. The tryout schedule, practice and competition schedule, and season overviews can be found below. (Because the HESL and MESL season calendars are the same, only the HESL calendar is posted below. Please note that high school Smash is conducted through EGF and to date, a season schedule has not been posted).
During practice, participants will:
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Watch instructional videos or gameplay footage to learn new moves and address gameplay improvements
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Practice new moves independently and with partners
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Scrimmage partners using new moves as much as possible
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Scrimmage players from across the country
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Play and record results of games in order to determine ranking
Tryout schedule is based upon numbers of interested participants for each game and is TBD.
Uniforms and Fees
The Esports uniforms, as designed by Libby Alvarez, are the coolest on campus (see below). When the season begins, parents will be provided a link to the Lipscomb Touchnet store where there will be options to pay team fees and purchase other team apparel. Uniforms are to be worn at all competitions. Team tees may be worn for practices, and both tees and uniforms may be worn on spirit wear days in order to show team spirit. Fees are a one-time purchase whether you are registering for Fall or Spring and cover entry costs into EGF and HESL league tournaments for both the Fall and Spring seasons, as well as uniform costs. New player fees are $250 and returning player fees are $200.
Please note that fees do not cover the cost of attending end-of-season tournaments. For example, we had seven players qualify to compete at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida, for the 2022 EGF Championships. While the leagues can provide some scholarships for schools and event discounts typically apply to hotels and activities, they do not cover the full costs of travel and lodging.
Team Rules and Expectations
Esports is treated and operates much like any other traditional sports program in which students are expected to adhere to behavioral and academic expectations. All rules and protocols that govern a standard school day also apply to after school activities.
Honor Christ in word and deed.
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Speak respectfully to teammates, opponents, and coaches.
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No raging or quitting out of frustration. Control your emotions and persevere.
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Give 100% in every practice and competition.
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No food or drink beyond the coach's table.
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Clean and store all equipment before leaving.
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Communicate in advance with coaches if you cannot make practices.
Goals for Esports
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To learn about the competitive world of gaming in a fun, friendly, and Christian environment
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To connect and build friendships among students who share the same enthusiasm for gaming
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To teach students the joy of success that comes from practice, dedication, and teamwork
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To provide potential avenues for scholarships and career opportunities related to esports for students
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To represent Christ well