By Aiden Poff
Tampa – The Call of Duty Club at USF recently held their tryouts for spots for their three competitive teams, Gold (Varsity), Green, and White, attracting a diverse group of players eager to showcase their skills.
The club kicked off its tryouts held for the first time in the new Esports Living Lab on August 28. Among the hopefuls was freshman Alex Martin, who expressed his enthusiasm for the event.
“I’ve been playing Call of Duty for a few years now, and this is my first year at a college with an esports program,” Martin said. He hopes to make the team and compete against other universities, viewing it as a unique experience. “It’s more of a hobby for me, but I’m excited to see what happens,” he added.
The importance of teamwork in competitive Call of Duty was a common theme among the participants. Martin emphasized that “cooperative play” is essential for success, noting that good chemistry and communication are vital for a team’s performance. “If you don’t have callouts, you could suffer a lot,” he said.
Robert Beebe, another participant in the tryouts, echoed this sentiment. Drawing from his experiences playing Call of Duty online, Beebe emphasized the necessity of “fast reaction times, game knowledge, and good hand-eye coordination.”
“Cooperative play is crucial,” Beebe said. “Everyone on the team typically has a specific role to play.”
Arun Senthilkumaran, president of the Call of Duty Club at USF, highlighted the motivation behind the tryouts. “I’m just trying to get more people involved in the Call of Duty community,” he said, noting the growing popularity of esports. Senthilkumaran reflected on the club’s competitive journey, mentioning that they were the first esports team to reach the top eight in the NACE league last year, showcasing their potential for future success.
The USF Gold team is currently competing in the NACE (National Association of Collegiate Esports) Varsity League, a prominent international league that promotes collegiate esports across various titles. In a recent match, the USF Gold team achieved a significant victory against Texas A&M, defeating them 3-1.
Senthilkumaran said this win has bolstered the team’s confidence as they pursue excellence in collegiate esports.
The team’s home, the Esports Living Lab, is also a place for players to socialize. Andrew Ross, the esports coordinator at USF, spoke about the impact of the opportunities offered by the lab itself and the program’s multiple esports clubs.
“For many students, this is their first leadership position on campus,” he said. Esports are akin to traditional sports, requiring teamwork, strategy, and dedication. “Esports fosters community and connections, giving gamers a place to belong,” he said.
As players and club members reflect on the tryout experience, they eagerly await the announcement of the official roster, which according to Senthilkumaran will be released soon. The competitive spirit and camaraderie displayed during the tryouts set the stage for an exciting season ahead for the USF Call of Duty team.