Esports program set to start in the fall at Edgecombe Community College 

Edgecombe Community College has transformed a classroom space in the Charles S. McIntyre Building on the Tarboro campus into a room for Esports. It is equipped with 42-inch televisions, Sony Interactive Entertainment PlayStation 5 video game consoles, a Nintendo Switch, Xbox, window tinting, noise reduction barriers, as well as gaming center computers, tables and chairs. It is all in preparation for ECC’s Esports program set to begin in the fall.

“I think Esports will provide a team environment for students who otherwise simply play these games on their own,” says Denise Batts, information technology instructor and ECC’s gaming coach. “I believe it will provide students with more opportunity for scholarships and team building, provide the community with a better educated workforce pool, and give students more confidence in their skills.”

Batts says players will compete against other colleges in the state. The team is already a member of the National Junior College Athletics Association of Esports. According to the NJCAAE website, the organization is designed to meet the needs of two-year, technical and community colleges in collegiate Esports. And while Esports is not considered a curriculum program, students may still receive scholarships to help pay for their education.

Aside from being a professional gamer, the Esports industry also prepares participants for jobs in web development, general management, coaching, marketing, journalism and more.

“Being a part of Esports provides an understanding of technology as it relates to connectivity, applications, and flexibility of a changing environment that is prevalent in all work environments,” states Batts.

To join ECC’s Esports program, call 252-618-6526.