My name is Shawn Davis 鈥� I play video games for scholarship money at 黑料网 and honestly, it鈥檚 pretty rad.
I played 鈥淪tarcraft鈥� as a kid and watched Koreans like Lim Yo-hwan, aka 鈥淏oxeR,鈥� on national television play the same game I did, thinking my sub 50-actions-per-minute playstyle could one day emulate what he was doing. Despite not having a lot of firsts here as a transfer student from South Dakota, I can gladly say that my time at Kent State and playing for the team here has provided me the absolute pleasure of meeting many old and new friends in the Northeast region.
I currently play on the 黑料网 varsity esports team in 鈥淥verwatch,鈥� but my time with esports started when I joined a small student-run Discord community in South Dakota鈥檚 School of Mines and Technology in 2018. I just jumped in a call, hung out, played a few matches and before you knew it 鈥� I had gravitated into a position where I had the privilege of being the varsity captain of the first sponsored collegiate 鈥淥verwatch鈥� team in South Dakota.
What I can say about the experiences in South Dakota is, above all else, we tried. We showed up and despite the rigors of young adulthood, classes, finals and an entire global pandemic 鈥� the team stuck together. You will create bonds so strong, so impermeable that will last you throughout your entire career. I still keep in touch with my former teammates. Oh, did I mention we landed in the top 16th for the TESPA National Championship?
After that, I transferred to Kent State to pursue my intended degree in . I like magazines 鈥� grew up reading all kinds, which is where I learned about Kent State and its programs.
Take it from me 鈥� above all else, the city of Kent and the University have been uniquely welcoming toward all. I have never felt completely outcast here. I mean, it鈥檚 not like the town is going to shower you with bouquets upon your arrival, but the campus, downtown, campus life and all that? It鈥檚 full of warmth and a spirit of camaraderie I certainly did not feel in my former school.
Whether you鈥檙e stopping by a caf茅 for a light lunch or going out with friends in the quaint but cheery night life, the people here are full of that old midwestern hospitality, and really bar down to help each other feel a little less homesick.
You鈥檝e heard it everywhere else 鈥� it鈥檚 not always what you know, it鈥檚 who you know. And for those who are career-minded, what better way to network and meet people (who are also full of those gamer wits) than a group that brings together gamers for scrimmages, matches and tournaments than a collegiate esports team?
It鈥檚 how someone like me from South Dakota can tell you about my friends across the United States 鈥� working jobs for Google, TikTok, Wells Fargo 鈥� you name it, the opportunities are there.
Combine networking opportunities with that warm spirit of Kent State and you鈥檙e bound for a collegiate experience that will welcome you, challenge you, and above all else set you on a path that gives you a chance to really prove something and make changes for the better.
Whatever path you chose in your collegiate endeavors, I hope above all else you are kind to yourself 鈥� but only if you take a role in esports for your school. I mean, seriously, it鈥檚 so fun. Especially if you鈥檙e already into gaming.
There鈥檚 nothing like the rush of hunting your opponents down and winning for your team on a school broadcast livestream. Your heart will beat, your hands will shake, and to thunderous applause you鈥檒l relish in the memories of succeeding as a team. I graduate at the end of the spring 2023 semester, so the torch is all yours. GLHF.
