University of Windsor Lancer Gaming Launches Inaugural 2020 Esports Season
Lancer Esports Leadership Team Named with Inaugural Win Secured!
The University of Windsor Lancer Gaming program launched its inaugural 2020 Esports season through tryouts for its League of Legends’ (LoL) post-secondary play for students across campus during reading week (October 12-14, 2020). Players who vied for a spot on this year’s team will not only have the chance to represent the University through Ontario Post-Secondary Esports (OPSE) and National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) play but have a chance to each receive a final award of $1,500 if eligible.
“We are really excited to welcome participants to our inaugural tryouts” says, Ali Abdeulmula, head coach, Lancer Gaming.
Official team members will be announced during the week of October 26, 2020.
Lancer Gaming also announced its Esports Leadership Team for 2020, who includes:
Ali Abduelmula, head coach, Lancer Gaming. Abduelmula is a graduate of Vincent Massey High School who is currently studying Computing Science with Honours Applied Computing at the University. As a player, he has a great deal of experience and technical knowledge in League of Legends’ play. According to Abduelmula, he is “pursuing his dream, not only academically but also towards a career in Esports” and is looking forward to providing a unique platform for “players to reach their full ability while representing the University.”
Shubham Mehta, assistant esports coordinator, Lancer Gaming. Mehta hails from India and has been a Windsor resident since early January. He is currently pursuing his education through Computer Science Software Engineering Co-op, Honours Plan at the University and has been engaged with event logistics ranging from registration through rankings and results at the Club level. He understands the inner workings along with the technical side of League of Legends play to help facilitate the success of the organization and its team. “I am thrilled to be part of the inaugural team,” says Mehta who is also looking to pursue a career in eSports.
Erkin Zuluev, sport and performance psychology assistant, Lancer Gaming. Zuluev is a Master of Human Kinetics (MHK) student here at the University. According to Zuluev “I am excited for the opportunity to work with the Lancer Gaming organization in the coming season. As an MHK student specializing in sport and performance psychology, I recognize the importance of mental skills for achieving peak performance. Sport psychology is an emerging practice in Esports. In collaboration with the Lancer League of Legends team, I hope to not only nurture their abilities as a team but also contribute to the continued growth of the Esports domain.”
Jeremy Renaud, esports coordinator, Lancer Gaming. Renaud is a Windsor native who currently works in the public, private and non-profit sectors while volunteering for a variety of organizations in the community. He is currently a professor of Sport and Recreation Management at the local College who pursued his graduated of Education from Canterbury of New Zealand. Renaud, who comes from a traditional background in sport management, was a multi-sport athlete with the Brock Badgers and single-sport athlete with Canterbury whose team won the 2007 University NZ Games. While at Brock, Renaud organized multi-dorm EA Sports NHL social events on the Sega Genesis and Super Smash Bros. tournaments on the Nintendo 64 while playing StarCraft wherever a room existed both on and off-campus. Of special note, Renaud was a student in kinesiology at the University and has worked with the Windsor Lancers along with members belonging to the Faculty of Human Kinetics over the past decade through community sport. “It’s a tremendous honour to be part of the Esports program here at the University,” says Renaud.
In addition to the leadership team being named, Lancer Gaming also first saw action in OPSE play during an away game vs. Trent Excalibur on October 8, 2020. Having been the underdog its in inaugural Legends’ match-up, the Lancers came away with a convincing 2-0 win over the Excalibur.
“We are absolutely thrilled with the launch of the esports program here on campus,” says Cindy Crump, director, Student Success and Leadership Centre. “We have come a long way in a very short time to launch the program and are excited for the future of Lancer Gaming as we continue to strive toward providing opportunities that enable the complete student experience at the UWindsor.”
Lancer Gaming will next see action against the Carlton Ravens in OPSE League of Legends play on October 22, 2020, at 8:00 p.m. This match-up will be non-broadcasted online competition. Lancer Gaming will announce its official roster prior to match-up.