农夫导航 will host its second annual Esports Invitational鈥攖he only such
event in the state鈥攐n March 9 and 10 in Frazier Hall, with 124 gamers representing
29 teams from 16 high schools across Kentucky competing in three games.
Organizers made some changes based on what they learned from last year鈥檚 inaugural
tournament, said Mitch Greenwell, director of Esports at Bellarmine. The event will
be two days this year instead of three to make it more exciting, and Mario Kart 8
replaced League of Legends. Teams will also compete in Super Smash Brothers Ultimate
and Rocket League.
The Esports Invitational tournament supports one of Greenwell鈥檚 biggest goals: to
make Bellarmine鈥檚 Esports program a resource hub for Kentucky high schools.
鈥淚 want the community to see Bellarmine as the foremost authority for all things Esports,鈥�
he said. 鈥淲hen high schools need help with their new programs or with coaching questions,
or when someone thinks of schools that really understand the Esports world, I want
it to be Bellarmine.鈥�
Esports was categorized as a Kentucky High School Athletic Association sport five
years ago. Since then, it鈥檚 been the fastest-growing high school sport.
Greenwell, a Bellarmine alumnus with undergraduate and graduate degrees in Education,
returned to his alma mater in August 2023 from Trinity High School, where he taught
English and coached the Esports team that won the first-ever high school Esports state
tournament.
He is also an instructor in the Esports minor housed in Bellarmine鈥檚 Sports Administration
Program. Bellarmine is one of a small number of universities nationally that offer
both competition and academic credit in Esports, and the Esports minor is the only
Esports academic credential in the state.
Bellarmine currently fields a total of 22 players on four Esports teams. This year,
the university moved to the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), 鈥渢he
most competitive league that exists within Esports,鈥� Greenwell said.
The move allows Bellarmine to go up against top-tier schools like Louisiana State
University (LSU), Michigan State and George Washington University that the Knights
don鈥檛 usually play, he said. 鈥淚t's really nice to say that we beat LSU this year in
a game.鈥�
One of the things he likes most about Esports is that it helps student gamers to 鈥渇ind
their people.鈥�
Andrew Stammerman was one of those students at Trinity. He was captain of the team
that won the state championship. 鈥淚 really enjoy video games, and I鈥檓 not athletic
enough to participate in other sports, so Esports is perfect for someone like me,鈥�
he said. Now a first-year Psychology major, he was the first student signed to Bellarmine鈥檚
Esports program.
Greenwell said Esports also legitimizes gamers鈥� seriousness.
鈥淚 think it legitimizes how much skill they have, and how much time and dedication
they put into their games, just like other athletes,鈥� he said. 鈥淗aving an Esports
program, rather than just a videogame club, helps them to feel like 鈥業'm playing against
other people who take this seriously as well.鈥� 鈥�
If you go: Bellarmine Esports Invitational
What: Esports teams from high schools across the state will compete in Super Smash Brothers
Ultimate, Rocket League and Mario Kart 8.
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, March 9, and noon-6 p.m. Sunday, March 10
Where: Frazier Hall, Bellarmine campus
Tickets for spectators: $5 at the door each day (free for Bellarmine students, faculty and staff)
Information: Mitch Greenwell, Bellarmine Esports director, mgreenwell@bellarmine.edu