Winthrop Esports qualifying for the Valorant Challengers opens up a new path for gamers studying in colleges. This is a huge moment for the gaming and esports community, as people will now seek these fields as a professional career option.
The renowned esports journalist Jake Lucky took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account to share Winthrop Esports’ qualification to the Valorant Challengers. This South Carolina-based team has become the first collegiate team to find a spot in a professional esports tournament.
Something super dope is @WinthropEsports, who have become the first EVER Collegiate team to qualify for Valorant Challengers
Incredible moment pic.twitter.com/c9VUyAJGM4
— Jake Lucky (@JakeSucky) March 12, 2024
For those who don’t know, Winthrop Esports is the official esports team for Winthrop University. It is a public university in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and is the sixth-largest university in the area. This educational institute is known for its successful athletic programs in basketball, volleyball, tennis, and soccer. With the qualification to Valorant Challengers, their esports program also seems to be a success.
well played.
— KNIGHTS (@KnightsGG) February 5, 2024
This is so fucking wholesome oh my god.
— Bunni ♡ (@thebubblybunni) February 4, 2024
Huge congrats!!!
— Sam (@tb0neskiii) February 4, 2024
Congratulations Gents! Proud of your resilience and dedication! This is monumental!
— Chuck Rey (@CoachRey) February 4, 2024
The collegiate Valorant esports team received praise and love from the netizens. Fans are excited about this major achievement for the South Carolina-based university.
Esports is turning out to be a valid career choice for college students
A few years back, gaming and esports were among the non-conventional career choices. However, situations have changed lately and esports is getting a lot of attention. Many major brands are investing millions in the sports and it has even been recognized at international multi-sport events like The Olympics.
Previously, college students who wanted a career in sports would usually go for tennis, basketball, volleyball, football, or swimming. However, many colleges are now starting esports programs and getting proper instructors to prepare students to compete at world-class tournaments.
We are partnering with @TheModernArcade to assist in managing access for WU students and the Rock Hill Community to begin in the near future, along with currently hosting an expanding list of community events in the Winthrop Esports Facility. pic.twitter.com/ojXY39TNcw
— Winthrop Esports (@WinthropEsports) February 21, 2024
Winthrop Esports playing at the Challengers League: North America would encourage other universities to focus on their esports programs. Moreover, the institutions that don’t have this program yet, might think of establishing one.
Undoubtedly, the esports scene will evolve drastically in the future with more colleges joining. It wouldn’t be surprising if there were college-level esports like there is for football and basketball, where young talents will compete before making their way into the professional scene.
