Ayla Adkins/The Broadside

Due to COVID-19, Central Oregon Community College has had to shut down many of its extracurricular activities, including sports. Although an unfortunate situation, an idea arose to take advantage of the opportunity for a different type of extracurricular: E-Sports.

Josh Motenko, the assistant director for club and intramural sports at COCC, said that COVID-19 has opened up an opportunity for them to switch to an E-Sports programming.

“We want to start the E-Sports program now because many students are already involved in online gaming communities, and with the recent switch to remote learning during COVID, it seemed like the perfect time.”

The E-Sports program hopes to create a team that can compete against other teams within Oregon. Motenko elaborated and said, “The goal for the club is to get students to participate in extracurricular activities, to socialize, to have a well-rounded college experience where they can meet other students and relieve stress doing things they love.” This is especially important as many students have not been able to socialize like they used to because of the pandemic.

Students are currently figuring out a list of competitive and popular games. “We want the students to drive the content and direction of the club,” said Motenko.

Any COCC student is welcome to join the program, and it “is a space that is inclusive to all genders, races, and all walks of life, and the students I’ve met thus far who have shown interest in the club have been open-minded and accepting of anyone and everyone” said Motenko.

An email went out to many students with instructions on how to join. Information regarding the club can be found on the Sports During COVID page on COCC’s website: https://www.cocc.edu/departments/sports/sports-during-covid.aspx

For any questions, email Josh Motenko at [email protected]