From Average to AvG: The Journey of an Esports Rising Star
In the dimly lit glow of LED monitors and the hum of powerful gaming PCs, Erineldo “AvGGamer” Chico, a sophomore at Endicott College, is honing his skills daily at the newly built Endicott esports lab. The grind of esports, a world he stepped into during his sophomore year of high school, has now become his passion. What started as a casual fill-in spot for a friend soon turned into a competitive drive that carried him through to collegiate esports. Now, with each click of his mouse and every strategic move, Chico is competing and thriving in this dynamic, ever-evolving scene.
Erineldo "AvGGamer" Chico warming up on KovaaK’s Aim Trainer
A look from the outside into the newly built esports center in lower Callahan
“I’ve always been competitive,” Chico says with a smile, recounting his early days on the ranked ladder at just 13 years old. But it wasn’t until the Overwatch League (OWL) exploded onto the scene that he truly found his calling. “Watching the pros like Pine play inspired me. I just knew this was something I had to do.”
Overwatch, the game Chico, and his teammates play, is a team-based first-person shooter (FPS) where players select heroes with unique abilities to capture objectives or defend points, in different maps around the world in an optimistic future. Each game can be a mix of fast decision-making and synchronized teamwork, adding much complexity to its gameplay. Another popular esports title is Fortnite, which is known for its massive battle royale format, where up to 100 players compete to be the last one standing in the lobby. The game’s rapid building mechanics and open-world strategy make it a huge staple in competitive play nowadays. Other titles like League of Legends, a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA), demand strategic depth and team coordination as players battle to destroy the opposing team’s base. These games all require hours of dedication and specialized practice routines, which Chico and his teammates work tirelessly to perfect, especially in a game like Overwatch. The Challenges of a Growing Scene
Like many players striving to make their mark, Chico faced numerous challenges. His biggest obstacle? Navigating the largely uncharted territory of structured esports training. “The hardest part was figuring out how long to practice, and what to practice. There’s no one-size-fits-all method,” he admits. “A lot of the community gatekeeps information, so it was up to me to learn through experience.”
Chico and his teammates, like Nick "g0ne" Welton, a junior theater major, dedicate themselves to perfecting their skills in gaming. Nick recalls the intensity of recent esports tournaments, where players compete for hours on end, and manage the pressure of every move being observed. In a typical week, these players clock in 30 hours of practice, including gameplay and analyzing previous matches, typically called “VOD Reviews”.
Nick "g0ne" Welton, one of Chico’s teammates, practicing at a tournament setup
Esports, though still relatively new compared to traditional sports, demands just as much dedication and discipline. Chico spends hours refining his aim in KovaaK’s Aim Trainer, as he reviews past gameplay, and incorporates new strategies into his practice sessions. It’s a routine that balances improvement with preventing burnout, a good option for anyone serious about staying competitive. On average, Chico and his teammates play for three to four hours on days they have scrimmages with other teams, often scheduled around peak evening hours to accommodate players in different time zones.
Lounging chairs in the lab for players to enjoy gaming on
The “GULLS” branding inside the esports room, with PC’s aligned horizontally
The Grind and the Glory
Despite the challenges, there’s a thrill in pushing limits and seeing progress. Chico vividly recalls a recent tournament where his team, though still new and growing, performed with a level of teamwork they hadn’t achieved before. “That’s what stood out to me the most,” he says. “We’ve got great individual players, but now we’re starting to really come together as a team. Future teams better be ready.”
Jack "Kairos" Kiernan, another one of Chico’s teammates practicing in an Overwatch custom game
Chico practices daily, ensuring he’s constantly sharpening his skills in-game. “You can’t skip practice, even if it’s just 30 minutes. One missed day can throw you off,” he explains. His dedication is evident, as is his methodical approach to preparation for everything. Before every competition, Chico completes a specific warm-up routine in KovaaK’s Aim Trainer, covering all aspects of aim so that by the time the match starts, he’s fully warmed up and ready to perform.
The lower Callahan esports lab offers resources players like Chico can’t access in their dorm rooms. Each station has high-performance PCs, gaming chairs, and noise-canceling headsets, creating a focused environment for competitive play in any game. Here, players' distractions are limited, as opposed to the limitations of playing in their own rooms. Everything is built for focus, with screens, monitors, and even the lighting set to help players zone into the game. The esports lab’s setup provides players and students alike with a unique experience, with comfort, diversity, and accessibility being the #1 motive behind its events. The esports lab even includes a materials locker with gamer essentials, such as snacks, equipment, energy drinks, and different games for the Xbox and PS5 gaming consoles
Example of a desktop setup in the esports lab
A look inside one of the many high-performance PC’s at the esports lounge
Poster marketing for an event at the esports lounge, the “Dress To Impress” event promotes inclusivity and diversity among students at Endicott
A look into the materials locker at the lab
The Future of Esports
Looking forward, Chico’s goals are clear: he’s got his eyes set on the next level. “I’d love to go pro after college, or even become a streamer,” he says with confidence. But no matter where his career takes him, his competitive drive will always push him forward, no matter what challenge he faces.
For those looking to get started in esports, Chico has some advice: “Practice is important, but so is balance. You’ve got to have other hobbies and make sure you’re staying healthy. Maybe even hit the gym alongside gaming—it can help you get better.” His teammates even echoed this sentiment, sharing how good gym time and structured schedules keep them sharp for competition, along with a good sense of time management.
A Sense of Home in the Arena
Chico’s nickname, AvGGamer, comes from a past where others labeled him as “average” in the gaming world. But rather than let the name define him, Chico took it as motivation to improve. “I just took it and ran with it,” he says. Now, AvGGamer represents not who he was, but who he’s become. He’s a player determined to rise above and leave a mark in esports.
The monitors' glow and mechanical keyboards' clatter surround Chico, Nick "g0ne" Welton, and Jack "Kairos" Kiernan as they train. In this space, they find focus, camaraderie, and the drive to excel, pushing the limits of what it means to be competitive gamers. With a future as bright as the RGB lights illuminating his gear, AvGGamer is just getting started.
