LEVELING up
Niner Esports is earning national recognition while enhancing students’ collegiate experience.
By Wyatt Crosher
By Lindsay Lennon
When Jorge Sanchez ’23 arrived at UNC Charlotte in 2020, esports was already a major part of his story.
He started playing video games competitively as a 13-year-old, viewing YouTube videos to learn strategies while winning amateur tournaments in the well-known video game franchise “Call of Duty.” By high school graduation, Sanchez had an esports résumé that included experience in broadcasting, live streaming and building brands for esports organizations.
Determined to finish his computer engineering degree after attending the College of Southern Maryland, Sanchez transferred to Charlotte.
Sanchez quickly discovered Niner Esports, a student organization at Charlotte since 2013. He joined the club’s first “Call of Duty” team and eventually became the club’s events director before his election as president of the organization for the 2022-23 academic year.
“I focused on growing the Niner Esports brand, doing everything we could to gain more of a foothold on campus and nationally as a college esports powerhouse,” Sanchez said.
Niner Esports, which started with a few dozen students who played games together, has grown exponentially. Sanchez used the club’s Discord server to recruit his “Call of Duty” team. That server, a type of online community with text and voice channels for its members, now has more than 2,400 participants, primarily Charlotte students and alumni. For the past six years, Niner Esports has been one of the University’s largest student organizations.
ACHIEVING NATIONAL ACCLAIM
Popularity alone doesn’t tell the entire success story for this student-run club. In December 2022, UNC Charlotte was among the 10 universities nominated for Collegiate Program of the Year at the Esports Awards. Nine of the institutions have varsity esports programs, while Charlotte was the only student-led club.
Six months later, Niner Esports won Club of the Year at EsportsU’s 2023 Collegiate Awards, and Sanchez was runner-up for Club President of the Year.
170+
U.S. National Association of Collegiate Esports teams plus thousands of clubs, including Charlotte
“We grew in virtually every area you can imagine,” Sanchez said. “The Esports Awards are the top awarding body in esports. To be on the world stage really sets us apart, especially as the only entirely student-run organization nominated.”
Niner Esports club members are primarily students who meet to play games, either in person or online, competing in video games of shared interests. The club also has a number of students who work behind the scenes to ensure it operates smoothly. For the 2022-23 academic year, Niner Esports had five executives, 10 team managers and 10 students on the events team. This mirrors the professional esports world.
Niner Esports members currently gather in a meeting room in the student union, but plans are underway to construct a branded state-of-the-art gaming facility.
Pake Cary, Niner Esports’ former events director and current co-president, explained how the variety of positions available in esports provide training that translates to areas outside of video games.
“If you aren’t a player, you can help coach or manage. At high-profile esports events, there are broadcasts with individuals working in front of and behind the camera,” Cary said. “There are many ways to tie your formal education to esports and imagine a career. Most people don’t fully recognize the extent of relevant experience that exists in the gaming world.”
This fall, Cary is leading Niner Esports along with Alexis Diamond, a game player since age 3. She wanted to be involved with the club as soon as she discovered its existence.
“Leadership skills are important for any job, and Niner Esports has definitely taught me to take charge and work with others.”
–Alexis Diamond
“It has been cool seeing something I’m passionate about become so popular and know there are real jobs for it,” she said. “I have had the chance to meet so many people, for which I’m so grateful because now they’re a huge part of my life, and it is all because of the club.”
Diamond, a computer science major with a concentration in cybersecurity, added, the club is enhancing skills that can translate to any profession.
“Leadership skills are important for any job, and Niner Esports has definitely taught me to take charge and work with others,” said Diamond. “I know many students majoring in computer science and game development find these skills useful.”
EXPLORING ESPORTS CAREERS
“As the esports industry grows, there are additional opportunities at Charlotte for academic connections in areas such as computer science, gaming design and development, video and streaming technology, art and storytelling, and business and marketing operations,” said Kevin Bailey, vice chancellor for student affairs. “Plans are underway to create a dedicated space on campus that will allow the club to continue its expansion in a field that is evolving every day. When you look at Niner Esports’ national recognition and listen to the students’ experiences, it’s clear there are exciting things in store.”
Sanchez, who graduated from Charlotte in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, recently accepted a position as esports operations coordinator and talent recruiter at Converse University, where he is enrolled in its master’s degree in management program. Sanchez noted that his time and success with Niner Esports resulted in career options he hadn’t anticipated.
“I really was able to utilize my Niner Esports experience to highlight my qualifications for the position at Converse University. I love engineering, but this new career path will enable me to continue my interest in scholastic esports,” Sanchez said.
During the past year, Niner Esports has established itself among the country’s most highly regarded esports clubs. Success is due to both competitive and casual gamers.
Cary admits Sanchez’s departure leaves “massive shoes to fill.” He and Diamond are prepared to move the club forward, using its recent notoriety as a stepping stone.
“When I learned we were nominated for the Esports Awards, my first thought was ‘Wait, really?’” said Cary. “To me, it means we need to get even better. This is something that will push us even further.”
Niner Esports members met with Rep. Jason Saine ’95, third left, to celebrate a $1.5 million investment from the General Assembly to create a dedicated state-of-the-art esports facility in the Popp Martin Student Union. Joining Saine were Alexis Diamond, Jorge Sanchez, Kevin Bailey, vice chancellor for student affairs, Pake Cary and Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber.
DATA ANALYTICS: A GAME CHANGER
Beyond providing teams a winning edge, the $4 billion sports analytics market is driving customer engagement and expanding partnerships that revolve around advertising and sponsorships, including college esports.
Reid Bost, vice president and esports director of Niner Esports, is bringing that buzz to Charlotte’s gaming club.
“Esports isn’t just about gaming: It is about building a community and creating opportunities for students to act as players, managers, broadcasters or marketers,” said Bost, a senior majoring in computer science in the College of Computing and Informatics.
Bost, who is on track to graduate in December 2023, was instrumental in creating a data analytics team to assist Niner Esports competitors, starting this past spring semester. Thirty students from multiple academic disciplines, who learned the basics of data analytics, informed the teams, coaches and managers on implementing data-driven decisions around specific plays, game strategies and tactics.
$1.39B
total esports market value 2022
As Esports vice president, Bost oversees team management, which includes game rosters and players. He also works with the other executive board members on larger initiatives. He envisions that data analytics will enable Niner Esports to emulate more established collegiate esports clubs.
“There are plans for the analytics team to automate some components of data drawing, establish reporting standards and procedures, and implement statistical or predictive models to help determine outcomes,” said Bost. “As the team grows, Niner Esports analysts will assess rival teams’ playing styles, characters and basic statistics to develop strategies.”
He added a future goal is for analysts to perform video-on-demand reviews, which involve watching replays of Niner Esports games and opponents’ games to create a more detailed approach. Workshops during the fall semester are designed to recruit more 49ers.
617M
online hours in 2022 for League of Legends (multiplayer online video game)
Wyatt Crosher is an assistant director of communications in the Division of Student Affairs. Lindsay Lennon is communications and events manager for the School of Data Science.
RELATED STORIES:
Funding for New Facility
NINER ESPORTS CLUB OF THE YEAR
LEVELING UP
Niner Esports is earning national recognition while enhancing students’ collegiate experience.
Leveling Up: By Wyatt Crosher
Game Changer: By Lindsay Lennon
When Jorge Sanchez ’23 arrived at UNC Charlotte in 2020, esports was already a major part of his story.
He started playing video games competitively as a 13-year-old, viewing YouTube videos to learn strategies while winning amateur tournaments in the well-known video game franchise “Call of Duty.” By high school graduation, Sanchez had an esports résumé that included experience in broadcasting, live streaming and building brands for esports organizations.
Determined to finish his computer engineering degree after attending the College of Southern Maryland, Sanchez transferred to Charlotte.
Sanchez quickly discovered Niner Esports, a student organization at Charlotte since 2013. He joined the club’s first “Call of Duty” team and eventually became the club’s events director before his election as president of the organization for the 2022-23 academic year.
“I focused on growing the Niner Esports brand, doing everything we could to gain more of a foothold on campus and nationally as a college esports powerhouse,” Sanchez said.
Niner Esports, which started with a few dozen students who played games together, has grown exponentially. Sanchez used the club’s Discord server to recruit his “Call of Duty” team. That server, a type of online community with text and voice channels for its members, now has more than 2,400 participants, primarily Charlotte students and alumni. For the past six years, Niner Esports has been one of the University’s largest student organizations.
ACHIEVING NATIONAL ACCLAIM
Popularity alone doesn’t tell the entire success story for this student-run club. In December 2022, UNC Charlotte was among the 10 universities nominated for Collegiate Program of the Year at the Esports Awards. Nine of the institutions have varsity esports programs, while Charlotte was the only student-led club.
Six months later, Niner Esports won Club of the Year at EsportsU’s 2023 Collegiate Awards, and Sanchez was runner-up for Club President of the Year.
170+
U.S. National Association of Collegiate Esports teams plus thousands of clubs, including Charlotte
“We grew in virtually every area you can imagine,” Sanchez said. “The Esports Awards are the top awarding body in esports. To be on the world stage really sets us apart, especially as the only entirely student-run organization nominated.”
Niner Esports club members are primarily students who meet to play games, either in person or online, competing in video games of shared interests. The club also has a number of students who work behind the scenes to ensure it operates smoothly. For the 2022-23 academic year, Niner Esports had five executives, 10 team managers and 10 students on the events team. This mirrors the professional esports world.
Niner Esports members currently gather in a meeting room in the student union, but plans are underway to construct a branded state-of-the-art gaming facility.
Pake Cary, Niner Esports’ former events director and current co-president, explained how the variety of positions available in esports provide training that translates to areas outside of video games.
“If you aren’t a player, you can help coach or manage. At high-profile esports events, there are broadcasts with individuals working in front of and behind the camera,” Cary said. “There are many ways to tie your formal education to esports and imagine a career. Most people don’t fully recognize the extent of relevant experience that exists in the gaming world.”
This fall, Cary is leading Niner Esports along with Alexis Diamond, a game player since age 3. She wanted to be involved with the club as soon as she discovered its existence.
“Leadership skills are important for any job, and Niner Esports has definitely taught me to take charge and work with others.”
–Alexis Diamond
“It has been cool seeing something I’m passionate about become so popular and know there are real jobs for it,” she said. “I have had the chance to meet so many people, for which I’m so grateful because now they’re a huge part of my life, and it is all because of the club.”
Diamond, a computer science major with a concentration in cybersecurity, added, the club is enhancing skills that can translate to any profession.
“Leadership skills are important for any job, and Niner Esports has definitely taught me to take charge and work with others,” said Diamond. “I know many students majoring in computer science and game development find these skills useful.”
EXPLORING ESPORTS CAREERS
“As the esports industry grows, there are additional opportunities at Charlotte for academic connections in areas such as computer science, gaming design and development, video and streaming technology, art and storytelling, and business and marketing operations,” said Kevin Bailey, vice chancellor for student affairs. “Plans are underway to create a dedicated space on campus that will allow the club to continue its expansion in a field that is evolving every day. When you look at Niner Esports’ national recognition and listen to the students’ experiences, it’s clear there are exciting things in store.”
Sanchez, who graduated from Charlotte in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, recently accepted a position as esports operations coordinator and talent recruiter at Converse University, where he is enrolled in its master’s degree in management program. Sanchez noted that his time and success with Niner Esports resulted in career options he hadn’t anticipated.
“I really was able to utilize my Niner Esports experience to highlight my qualifications for the position at Converse University. I love engineering, but this new career path will enable me to continue my interest in scholastic esports,” Sanchez said.
During the past year, Niner Esports has established itself among the country’s most highly regarded esports clubs. Success is due to both competitive and casual gamers.
Cary admits Sanchez’s departure leaves “massive shoes to fill.” He and Diamond are prepared to move the club forward, using its recent notoriety as a stepping stone.
“When I learned we were nominated for the Esports Awards, my first thought was ‘Wait, really?’” said Cary. “To me, it means we need to get even better. This is something that will push us even further.”
Niner Esports members met with Rep. Jason Saine ’95, third left, to celebrate a $1.5 million investment from the General Assembly to create a dedicated state-of-the-art esports facility in the Popp Martin Student Union. Joining Saine were Alexis Diamond, Jorge Sanchez, Kevin Bailey, vice chancellor for student affairs, Pake Cary and Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber.
DATA ANALYTICS: A GAME CHANGER
Beyond providing teams a winning edge, the $4 billion sports analytics market is driving customer engagement and expanding partnerships that revolve around advertising and sponsorships, including college esports.
Reid Bost, vice president and esports director of Niner Esports, is bringing that buzz to Charlotte’s gaming club.
“Esports isn’t just about gaming: It is about building a community and creating opportunities for students to act as players, managers, broadcasters or marketers,” said Bost, a senior majoring in computer science in the College of Computing and Informatics.
Bost, who is on track to graduate in December 2023, was instrumental in creating a data analytics team to assist Niner Esports competitors, starting this past spring semester. Thirty students from multiple academic disciplines, who learned the basics of data analytics, informed the teams, coaches and managers on implementing data-driven decisions around specific plays, game strategies and tactics.
$1.39B
total esports market value 2022
As Esports vice president, Bost oversees team management, which includes game rosters and players. He also works with the other executive board members on larger initiatives. He envisions that data analytics will enable Niner Esports to emulate more established collegiate esports clubs.
“There are plans for the analytics team to automate some components of data drawing, establish reporting standards and procedures, and implement statistical or predictive models to help determine outcomes,” said Bost. “As the team grows, Niner Esports analysts will assess rival teams’ playing styles, characters and basic statistics to develop strategies.”
He added a future goal is for analysts to perform video-on-demand reviews, which involve watching replays of Niner Esports games and opponents’ games to create a more detailed approach. Workshops during the fall semester are designed to recruit more 49ers.
617M
online hours in 2022 for League of Legends (multiplayer online video game)
Wyatt Crosher is an assistant director of communications in the Division of Student Affairs. Lindsay Lennon is communications and events manager for the School of Data Science.
RELATED STORIES: