By Paige Hubbard
HOUSTON (KIAH) – Students at Texas Southern University (TSU) are using their passion for gaming to put e-sports on the map. CW39 Houston’s Paige Hubbard got a chance to speak with the team to learn how the group is breaking barriers and creating their own opportunities.
E-sports are video games that are played in highly competitive environments. Recently, 64 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) signed up to compete in Mountain Dew’s gaming challenge in Atlanta but only 12 made the cut. Out of the 12 of that made it to Atlanta, four of were TSU students.
Sophomore and president of TSU’s E-sports club Ethan Johnson won second place and says between the four students -they took home about $100,000 combined.
“For HBCU’s and e-sports this is immense. Just being able to do what I love and compete. I was always told I really wouldn’t go anywhere with video games; however, I haven’t even been here two years yet and I started proving all those people wrong.“.ETHAN JOHNSON
Kevin Biggens spoke about how the opportunity gave him a chance to reach new heights that he hadn’t experienced.
“It was great because I never flew before. They flew us out on a plane, it was all expenses paid.”KEVIN BIGGENS
McKenzie Mowoe is the e-sports student advisor. She believes the win shows others that if you believe it, you can achieve it.
“Especially as a black man people have those stereotypical things that black men should do. But to show – you don’t always have to do that. If you really have the passion for gamming and your dedicated – you can get it done.”MCKENZIE MOWOE
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Brenden Bunch and Jalani Stevenson’s passion for gaming both started when they were young. The two shared they’re thankful for the job opportunities the e-sports world has created for gamers.
“Were the biggest example of why you should tell a kid to keep going if you see them on a game. You never know what can come from it.”BRADEN BUNCH
