Esports Tryouts

ETSU Esports will hold open tryouts for our varsity squad once a year in August for all varsity positions alongside multiple tryouts throughout the spring semester prior to the next season of competition. Previously participating team members will be required to go through the tryout process as well as applicants and be chosen based on the same grading criteria. Tryouts are generally considered to be in person, although other arrangements can be made at the coach's discretion. All applicants will be required to participate on the official team discord server. ETSU Esports is looking for players not only with top skills, but who work effectively in a team atmosphere, respond well to coaching and feedback, and demonstrate a positive and inclusive attitude and dedication to lead ETSU to the top ranks of collegiate esports.

Games

Two game titles will have two rosters each for a total of twenty-two varsity players. Final tournament rosters will be decided by the coaching staff. Open tryouts will be scheduled once a year and there will be one invitational talent search tournament with a floating date.

• TWO competitive 6 person Overwatch teams.
• TWO competitive 5 person League of Legends teams.
• The remainder of the roster will be in reserve for support.

2022 Tryout Schedule

Tryouts for the Fall 2022 semester will begin in February 2022.  Prospective ETSU students will have the opportunity to participate in our open tryouts. If you are a prospective student you must complete the university admission process which includes filling out the application for admission and submitting all requested information prior to the tryout date. 

A more detailed schedule is available on our discord channel — come join us!

While we encourage all participants to come to the arena to join in the fun, prospective and current student can participate remotely. If you are selected for the tryout and cannot attend in person please notify staff either through email or Discord one week prior to the event and we will make the arrangements for you to play from home

Non ETSU students can participate remotely if they have completed all the required forms and have applied for admission to ETSU.

All participants must provide their own headset and complete all requested applications including VODs.

Registration for each tryout will require participants to fill out the information form emailed to them including the links for VODs. Going forward, all VODs must be uploaded to YouTube and links to the VODs included with the electronic form submission. The deadline for submissions will be 7 days prior to the listed tournament start date.

Incomplete submissions will not be accepted.

If you are interested in trying out, please fill out our contact form.

Tryout Participation Requirements

Prior to tryout date, you must

• Be a current student or complete the entire application process, which includes filling out an application to the University as well as submitting all other requested information prior to their tryout date.
• Submit 3 VODS to the Director of Esports/Head Coach
• Complete an in-person interview with Director of Esports/Head Coach.

Players will need to be ETSU students on a track to graduate and must have a minimum 2.5 GPA. Players will be evaluated on attitude and behavior as well as skill, so bring a good demeanor.

Evaluation

Players communication, gameplay, and replays will be evaluated by coaches, faculty, and analysts during and after to find the best composition for a competitive season. Evaluation and rubric scores will not be public or shared. Some details may be shared individually with the player for personal improvement.

2021 Tryout Structure ‘Combine’ Process

Initial tryouts for ETSU Esports varsity spots will take place during the spring semester of 2021. This combine will take place over the period of one week. The esports combine will allow ETSU students an opportunity to experience the typical schedule of a collegiate esports athlete while displaying their skill to the ETSU Esports staff. Each interested player will participate in at least two (2) days of the combine before the staff of ETSU Esports decides what, if any, cuts will be made to the roster of participating players. Players will be evaluated each day based on this rubric. Daily events will include:

• 2 scrim blocks against local and national collegiate esports teams. Scrimmage teams will be announced one week prior to the combine and players will play on multiple roster configurations 
• VOD review by ETSU Esports staff.
• Interviews with ETSU Esports staff.
• After the initial round of cuts, ETSU Esports staff will draft teams for each title to participate in a small tournament to further evaluate the skills of players. The results of this tournament will not directly affect the evaluation of players; however, individual and team skills displayed during the event will.

Participation in the esports combine does not guarantee a player a starting varsity and players may be cut at any time for behavior deemed inappropriate by ETSU Esports staff.

Following the esports combine, the staff of ETSU Esports will reach out to players with more information about joining the team as soon as possible.