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Òùµ´ÉÙ¸¾ Esports Expands with Addition of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate to Competitive Lineup
Kellam Mechanical Boosts VWU Esports with Sponsorship
University News | September 12, 2024
Òùµ´ÉÙ¸¾ continues to expand its Esports program, now adding Super Smash Bros. Ultimate to the list of games in which it competes. This move signals the university’s growing commitment to the fast-paced world of competitive gaming, a billion-dollar industry that has quickly become one of the fastest-growing global sports. 
The decision to include Super Smash Bros. Ultimate comes at an exciting time for VWU’s Esports program, which has already established itself as a competitive force. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, a popular crossover fighting game, allows up to eight players to battle as iconic characters from various video game franchises. With over 70 unique characters to choose from, each equipped with distinctive abilities, players engage in strategic combat, aiming to knock their opponents out of the arena.
“The addition of Super Smash Bros. allows us to have a greater presence in the Esports space as a whole,” says Brandon Kwon ’23, VWU Director of eSports. “It is consistently listed among the most played Esports due to its casual fan base. However, the competitive scene is just as large, with more than 150 collegiate teams participating in fall competition in NACE and ECAC. VWU Esports is looking forward to joining this competition and giving more students an opportunity to join our program!"
VWU’s Esports program also received a significant boost this academic year thanks to the generous sponsorship from Kellam Mechanical, a local HVAC company. With Kellam Mechanical’s support, the university was able to purchase the consoles and equipment necessary to establish the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate team on campus.
"We’re grateful for Kellam Mechanical’s donation to the program, which has been essential in enabling us to expand," Kwon added. "Their contribution allowed us to secure the resources needed to provide our students with the best possible competitive experience."
VWU’s eSports program offers students much more than the opportunity to play games competitively. As part of the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), VWU opens pathways for students to explore careers in various fields connected to the industry. From marketing, media, and business management to creative writing, storytelling, and coaching, the world of eSports offers limitless opportunities. For students at Virginia Wesleyan, joining the eSports program is not just about gaming; it’s about gaining valuable skills that translate into real-world careers.