Leveling Up: Inside the Rise of Esports at Endicott College
In the rapidly evolving world of competitive gaming, one student stands at the forefront, steering Endicott College’s Esports Club toward unprecedented growth and community engagement. Ben Fridlington, the current president of the Esports Club, embodies the passion and leadership that drive the collegiate esports scene forward. Hailing from Laconia, New Hampshire, Ben’s interest in gaming began at age 15 when he built his first PC. This early hands-on experience sparked a passion for competitive gaming, which began when his brother’s friend introduced him to Counter-Strike (CS), a popular first-person shooter. That experience would eventually lead him to form high school teams and guide him into leadership at Endicott. Under his leadership, the Esports Club has transformed from a small group of gaming enthusiasts into a vibrant community with multiple competitive teams and a state-of-the-art facility. Ben’s practical experience in both playing and managing esports teams gives him a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of fostering a gaming culture on campus. His efforts to organize inclusive events, such as the Roblox Dress to Impress competition, highlight his commitment to making esports accessible to everyone, regardless of their gaming background. Beyond the campus, Ben advocates for the recognition and support of esports as a legitimate and valuable activity. He envisions a future where esports is seamlessly integrated into educational institutions, offering students opportunities for personal growth and leadership development. Through his collaboration with organizations like SURGE towards Justice, Ben champions diversity and inclusivity, ensuring that the esports community at Endicott is welcoming and supportive for all. In this exclusive interview, Ben shares his journey, the evolution of the Esports Club at Endicott, and his perspectives on the future of competitive gaming. His insights offer a glimpse into how esports shapes student life, transforms education, and redefines what it means to be an athlete in the modern age.
Q & A Interview with Ben Fridlington, President of the Esports Club at Endicott College
Personal Background and Involvement in Esports:
How did you first get involved in esports, and what led you to become the president of the Esports Club at Endicott College? I got directly involved in the world of esports when I built my first PC. That was the gateway drug into the world of competitive gaming. I was introduced into this world by complete accident as well. My brother's friend was staying with us for a week while his parents were on vacation, and he hauled his gaming tower to our house and set it up on an end table we had lying around. He let me play a few games of Counter-Strike (CS) on it while he was visiting, and I was hooked. Following that, I did a LOT of research and built my own PC soon after. I first got formally involved with esports in high school. I was a founding member of the New Hampton Overwatch team and then coincidentally got involved with esports here! The only reason I ended up being involved here is I mentioned that I used to play on an Overwatch team in high school, and I ended up getting roped into meetings about the program here. As to how I became president, well, I was a member of the club, and the then-sitting president stepped away from the role so he could dedicate more time to his thesis. I volunteered to take his place, and after an informal election, here we are!
What games or genres of esports are you most passionate about, and why? The game I think I have the most experience in and have enjoyed the most is Beat Saber, a virtual reality rhythm game. The competitive scene for it is really lacking at this point, which does bum me out a little bit. As far as entertainment value goes, I love watching competitive Fortnite and CS 2 (Counter-Strike 2). I think there’s a lot of great strategizing and teamwork that goes into both of these games, and the way the events are held is amazing. One of the best esports events in history, in my opinion, would be the first Fortnite World Cup. I just remember how much buzz and excitement there was surrounding the event even outside of the gaming world. Even my parents knew about it! Esports at Endicott College:
Can you describe the Esports Club at Endicott and its role in fostering a gaming community on campus? Sure! The Esports Club at Endicott really aims to be the bridge between the competitive teams and the community. One of the events I’m really excited about was created by members of the club, not myself. We’re hosting a Roblox Dress to Impress competition, and I think it will be a great way to get people who typically wouldn’t consider themselves gamers involved. We are succeeding just by new people being in the space and around the facility. Outside of that, we hold events that are open to everybody, and currently have some field trips and visits in the works for our members that will get them out into the real-world climate of esports.
How has the esports program at Endicott evolved since you first joined? When I joined, I was playing on my own PC in my room using all my own peripherals. When we started, we were one team of five or so guys, and there was nothing else but us. Now we have a facility, five competitive teams, 20 or so players, and none of us have to worry about using our own setups. Outside of the physical changes, I think the mood on campus has started to shift as well, more towards the positive, even if we still have a ways to go. People aren’t always positive, and that’s okay. I would say there are still some people that are ill-informed about what esports is and what kind of person is an esports athlete. The “Fat, Sweaty & Smelly Gamer” from South Park best summarizes what some people view esports as, when in reality, I think the opposite is true. On the more positive side, I’ve had countless people stop by the room to ask me questions, hop on one of the PCs for a quick game, or just come to hang out. That is really what esports is about. Esports in the Modern Age:
How do you think esports have grown or changed in recent years, both on a local and global scale? I think COVID was huge for esports. People needed a distraction from the world, so they turned to gaming. Additionally, esports events could easily be held online and didn’t require people to be physically together like traditional sports do. I would expect the entire industry to shift from a niche to the mainstream in the next 5 to 10 years.
What role do streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube play in the growth of esports? Without platforms like Twitch and YouTube, esports would be dead. Free-to-access video platforms make esports content accessible to everyone. There’s no fear of not being able to watch your favorite team play like there is with the NBA. (I still cannot watch Celtics games at school even though I have an NBA subscription AND Xfinity streaming.) It’s just a lot simpler. Additionally, there is loads of supporting content on these platforms outside of just the competitions themselves.
Do you think esports will ever be as widely accepted and recognized as traditional sports? I think it will stay as its own thing, and that’s okay. Plenty of people online tune in to watch professional gambling, and that’s not a “sport.” Esports is its own category, and I think trying to force it into being something it isn’t will kill it. We, as a collective community, have to let it grow and thrive naturally as its own thing for its own good. The biggest obstacles will be the governing bodies of each game, as most of the time, these are the same companies running the leagues that made the game. I just personally feel like this is problematic, and a perfect example of it is what happened with the Overwatch League. They tried way too hard to make the city model work, and it failed miserably. The Future of Esports:
What trends do you see emerging in esports, and how might they shape the future of competitive gaming? I think we are going to see more esports in education, specifically high school, college, and summer programs. Statistically, (Fun Fact!) esports players are better students. I think the realization of this fact by administrations, parents, and the public will help with a lot of the social stigma that exists surrounding esports.
How can colleges and universities better support esports programs? Treat us like you would an athletic team. Give us a page on the website, make a roster, promote our games like football or basketball games are. Treat us as equal athletes even though our sport is different. Giving us the same amount of advertising as your other programs is the main thing. Step one to a successful program is not hiding us away in the basement and being ashamed to admit we exist. That’s what my high school did, and the program flopped only a year or two after I graduated. The administration didn’t see or support the vision for the future of the field. Personal Growth and Advice:
What has your experience in esports taught you, both as a player and a leader within the club? Advocate for yourself always. It’s a cliché, but you can get a lot of places in life by connecting with others, asking for help, and sharing what you’re good at. I think if we all did that every day, the world would have a lot of happier and more confident people.
What advice would you give to someone looking to get involved in esports, either as a player or as part of a team or club? Just dive right in and get involved! We always need an extra set of hands! Also, find your niche. I love esports, but I am by no means a top-tier player. However, I am very skilled when it comes to building gaming computers and understanding how to best build a system that supports playing at the highest level. That’s my niche.
How do you see inclusivity and diversity playing a role in esports moving forward? I think it is crucial that we support people of every background in esports. I work closely with Endicott’s SURGE towards Justice (and am a member of that organization), and we had a great time last year running a charity esports tournament for Black History Month. On a greater scale, I believe that people and their stories are what make this world great, and that we truly can better ourselves and widen our world views by having relationships with people with different experiences than our own. That could be someone of a different gender, religion, race, or even as simple as someone from a different city or town than yourself. I mean, even at the most basic and dumb level, I was introduced to my favorite sandwich order from my Norwegian friend, and there is no way I would’ve ever come up with that myself. People have so much insight, both big and small, to offer, and by including everyone, we can present our best and true selves. So to answer the question, it is of the utmost importance that we are welcoming to everyone who wants to participate in esports because we wouldn’t be doing anyone a favor by being closed off.
