The National Association of Collegiate Esports Varsity Premier playoffs kick off this week, and two University of Wisconsin-Stout Blue Devil teams — Valorant and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate — are headed to nationals after winning their conferences.
“Stout’s esports teams continue to compete at the highest level in NACE. Our Valorant team has proven it can compete with the best teams in the nation, and our Smash Ultimate team is young but already seeing success. I am extremely excited to see how they grow over the coming years,” said Coach Aaron Froelich, who has led UW-Stout’s esports program since summer 2023.
UW-Stout’s #17 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate team will face #16 Shawnee State University at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2. The winner will play #1 Michigan State University at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 4.
UW-Stout’s #14 Valorant team will face off against #3 Maryville University at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3.
Matches will be broadcast live at www.twitch.tv/StoutEsports.
UW-Stout has been a Wisconsin leader in esports since 2020, when it became the first university in the Universities of Wisconsin to launch a varsity program.
But the university’s gaming roots go deeper. It’s the only university in the state to offer both art- and computer science-focused degree programs in game design. And in 2023, it expanded its academic strengths in game design and development when it became the first UW school to launch an esports coaching minor.
UW-Stout also hosts the biannual Stout Game Expo, which features games designed by UW-Stout students. SGX, western Wisconsin's largest game developers' event, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall.
According to sophomore game design student Ethan Hershberger, the confluence of athletic and competition opportunities distinguish UW-Stout.
“Playing on an esports team has enhanced my passion for games and has offered a lot of insight into certain aspects of their creation, which has impacted my study of game design here at Stout,” said Hershberger of Edwardsville, Ill., who captains Stout’s Super Smash Bros. Ultimate team.
UW-Stout’s esports teams compete from their home arena in Heritage Hall.
Valorant team returns with flawless conference season
After getting knocked out of the LCQ in the fall 2023 season, the Valorant team made it a goal to succeed this spring. The Blue Devils qualified for playoffs with a 7-0 regular season in NACE Varsity Premier.
“It's been a great season for us so far, and I think a big part of it was a new focus on our team culture. With playoffs ahead of us in all three of our leagues, I'm excited to face them as a team and how we match up against some of the national powerhouse programs,” said Valorant Coach Tobey Riedmann.
Riedmann, of Menomonie, is a senior in business administration, earning a minor in esports coaching. He is in his second year of coaching Valorant. He previously coached UW-Stout’s Overwatch team.
Riedmann’s Valorant team is composed of Noah Filtz, of Oregon, Wis.; Em Humphrey, of Waunakee; JJ Hanson, of Lindstrom, Minn.; Nathan Lenz, of St. Paul; and Hoang Dang, of Altoona.
Season conference recap
- 2-0 win vs Lindenwood University
- 2-0 win vs Wayne State University
- 2-0 win vs Old Dominion University
- Forfeit win vs University of Kentucky
- 2-1 win vs St. Ambrose University
- 2-0 win vs University of Cincinnati
- 2-0 win vs University of Windsor
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate team fights into playoffs with fresh faces
Between the fall 2023 and spring seasons, the Blue Devils Smash Ultimate team graduated their coach and a player on the roster. Now rebuilding with a full freshman and sophomore roster, the Blue Devils were looking to improve on their previous 3-4 record. They finished 6-1 with a four-game win streak to secure first place in conference play and a spot in the NACE playoffs.
“We accomplished our goal of making playoffs this year, but we aren't done yet. Not by a long shot,” said Smash Ultimate Coach Zach Janot.
In addition to Hershberger, Janot’s Super Smash Bros. Ultimate squad includes Sam Mead, of Inver Grove Heights, Minn.; Ryan Heer, of Pewaukee; Ethan Skains, of Waseca, Minn.; Derek Normann, of Minneapolis; and Ben Willem, of Waunakee.
Season conference recap
- 2-1 win vs Grand Valley State University
- Forfeit win vs DePaul University
- 1-2 Loss vs Minnesota State University, Mankato
- 2-0 win vs Siena Heights University
- 2-0 win vs Waukesha County Technical College
- 2-1 win vs University of Michigan – Flint
- Forfeit win vs Creighton University
NACE is the largest member association of college and university sponsored esports programs that promotes the education and development of students through intercollegiate esports.
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