On March 21, the University of Michigan-Flint’s esports team competed in a Local Area Network event at Western Michigan University’s Little Theatre in Kalamazoo, Mich., against Valparaiso University, Eastern Michigan University, Western Michigan University and Bethel University.
LAN events bring together college students to play together in-person and improve network performance. “It is a competition, and LAN tends to provide better connection speeds as well as consistent tech for players.” Tony Anderson, a sophomore computer science major and member of UM-Flint’s esports team, said. “Most competitions aren’t LAN, but LAN events allow for good networking opportunities and a fun gaming environment.”
Despite not winning, the UM-Flint Overwatch Blue Team valued the experience because it was their first time playing at a LAN event. Rylie Yeiter, a senior majoring in criminal justice and communications and the captain of the Overwatch Blue Team at UM-Flint, said “I think it’s a really great experience for our team, although we didn’t take first, this is the first LAN an Overwatch team has competed in, and I couldn’t be more proud of the team.”
Photo taken on March 21, at Western University Michigan Esports Little Theatre in Kalamazoo, Mich., LAN event, UM-Flint Esports team. Photo taken by Andres Ochoa, UM-Flint Esports student supervisor.. 
Michael Miller, senior graphic design major at UM-Flint. He is on the UM-Flint Super Smash Bros Ultimate Blue team, received his first trophy after three years in the Esports Program. Photo taken on March 21, at Western University Michigan Esports Little Theatre in Kalamazoo, Mich., LAN event by Andres Ochoa, UM-Flint Esports student supervisor.
Luke Rimarcik, the Esports Program Manager at UM-Flint, said this event is important to the team and is helping expand the program. “I would say this was a stepping stone in building the dynasty esports program we’re trying to create. I don’t want the program to be known for one really good team. Watching how much the players improve, then seeing it pay off, makes me so proud of their dedication to this program.”
The event concluded with the UM-Flint Super Smash Bros. team getting first place and earning the title of Smash Bros Champion, while the UM-Flint Overwatch team placed third. There are currently no future LAN events that the esports team plans to attend.
Haley Bowman is a write for the Michigan Times, she can be reached at haleybow@umich.edu.
