PSC Esports Lab Draws Local High Schoolers

Paul Smiths, NY ~ On Thursday, March 23rd the Stewart's Shops Dake Family Esports Lab on the second floor of Pickett Hall at Paul Smith's College was packed to capacity with student athletes looking to hone their skills in the burgeoning discipline of collegiate Esports.  The Paul Smith's College Athletics Department hosted the event on campus designed to showcase some of the unique attributes of the school, and judging from the reactions, it was a smashing success. The lab was full of "oohs" and "awes" from each student athlete as they entered the facility and chose their battle station.  

"The new generation of Esports starts within primary schools and with them, we can usher in a new era of athletes creating not only a bridge for their school and esports but also higher education as a whole here at Paul Smith's College," said Ethan Billman, current graduate student and coach of the Paul Smith's College Esports team.   

High school Esports teams from Saranac Lake, Lake Placid, and Moriah were in attendance, as students competed in Super Smash Bros, League of Legends, Mario Kart, and Overwatch.  Current PSC student athletes helped the youngsters in Overwatch, and the college's own Mercedes Rideout competed in the Mario Kart event, losing by a wide margin to a local 14-year-old.   

Paul Smith's College Athletic Director Zack Luzzi was also in attendance, and in addition to cheering on Rideout and the rest of the PSC student athletes, he was able to gauge the effectiveness of the event and what that means for the future of Esports at the college.   

"It was awesome to see so much excitement about being in our Esports Lab, playing against some other schools, and making new friends," said Luzzi.  "We are in an incredibly unique position of being able to play a role in the growth and development of varsity Esports teams at local high schools, we hope to host more of these events in the future, incorporating other sports as well," he added.   

Saranac Lake Athletic Director Forrest Morgan said that he believes "In the neutral court Paul Smith's (College) has to offer in hosting Section 7 & 10 crossover games, All-Star games, and future Esports matches."