MSU enters esports arena with official varsity team

Led by Director Christopher Bilski and head coaches Grayson Harding, James Jordan and William Perez, MSU is poised to make a splash in the collegiate esports scene.

Fans can expect to see the team compete against other institutions in national tournaments in three games: Rocket League, Valorant and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. There are currently 25 total students on the varstiy esports roster for the 2023-24 season.

New this year, each institution in the Big Ten Conference has joined the Big Esports Conference (BEC) for weekly collegiate matches. Michigan State is also a member of the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), the largest member association of college and university-sponsored esports programs comprised of more than 240 member schools.

“Our program is not just about competition,” Bilski said. “We are building a holistic approach that also emphasizes community and careers for students. We hope to use esports as a way students can use their four years at MSU to prepare for the next 40 years of life.”

Thanks to a partnership with Dell Technologies and its iconic gaming brand, Alienware, MSU debuted two dedicated esports spaces in early 2024, providing the varsity teams and vibrant esports community with competition centers worthy of championships. Both locations are open to all students, featuring console and PC gaming spaces as well as broadcast areas.

Smash Bros. Team Makes National Final

The Spartan’s first Super Smash Bros. Ultimate varsity team qualified for the NACE Starleague Grand Finals at Boise State University. MSU finished runner-up in the championship match after dropping a best-of-three series to No. 1 seed Stony Brook University.

MSU’s roster at the grand final included Daniel “Hawk” Weatherspoon, Rodrigo “Arkdee” Arce, Julian “Crash 101” Alonso, Adam “Suspect” Ismaili-Alaoui, Ryan “Rydra” Marcus and Dyson “Dice” Mingo.