The 2020 Empire State Winter Games brought together athletes from across New York State and beyond to compete in more than 30 winter sports events. Among those was an invitation-only Esports tournament that took place at Paul Smith’s College, which featured teams from within the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC).
Competing in the game “Overwatch,” Alfred State defeated several colleges to get to the final four. After defeating Saint Peter’s University, it was onto the finals to face the University of Albany.
Following a hard-fought battle, Alfred State emerged victorious 3-1 and handed the University of Albany team its first match loss since its formation. The Alfred State Esports team received gold medals for each of the players and a $2,000 grand prize.
Austin Clay, coach of the Overwatch team and club president, said his team performed even better than he could have imagined. He noted that while many people may have viewed Alfred State as the underdog, the team “showed everyone that, even though we are a club, we can still play and beat the big dogs.”
“Our team did not just win the finals,” said Clay, a digital media and animation major from Kendall. “We showed everyone that we are one of the top teams in the ECAC and that we deserve to be respected just like all the other great teams.”
“It was amazing to watch my team move as one and think like one,” Clay said. “The teamwork and coordination from the players are what carried us to victory.”
The Esports team, Clay said, could not have gotten as far as it has without the college’s assistance, particularly in supplying an Esports practice room and equipment.
Alfred State Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Spencer Peavey said, “I’m so proud of our Esports team. They have put in a lot of work over the past year to compete at the highest level of collegiate Esports and this win acknowledges their commitment to that.”
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