Rising Popularity of Esports at University of Michigan-Flint Pavilion
Inside the University of Michigan-Flint Pavilion, a tournament for Super Smash Bros. attracted over 60 gamers on February 3, thanks to the collaborative efforts of local businesses and the university’s esports program.
The idea to host this event came about a year ago when Eric Tinnin, operations manager of Media Reload, and Armando Vasquez, owner and operator of Smoke, Rattle and Roll BBQ joint at the pavilion, decided to organize an event that would promote both business and community in the area. The goal was to bring more awareness to the vendors and businesses within the pavilion, which often goes unnoticed.
University of Michigan-Flint’s Expanding Esports Program
Luke Rimarcik, the esports program manager at the University of Michigan-Flint, reveals the continuous growth and development of the university’s esports program, which currently includes around 80 students competing in nine video games.
Luke Rimarcik, a recent graduate who played for the school’s varsity esports team, explains how the program has been expanding with new initiatives every year. He mentions the numerous opportunities the program offers for students to compete in various video games, including the popular Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tournament in Flint: Creating a New Image
Luke Rimarcik believes that hosting a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament in Flint will help to change preconceptions about the city and create a positive image.
Luke Rimarcik reveals that Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a highly popular fighting game that attracts thousands of attendees at tournaments in other locations. By bringing this tournament to Flint, Rimarcik and his team hope to showcase the city’s potential and challenge negative stereotypes associated with it.
The Format and Features of the Tournament
The Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament featured a one-on-one battle format, with 20 gamers competing simultaneously at 10 different stations. The winners were rewarded with gift cards donated by local businesses.
Describing the tournament format, Luke Rimarcik explains that players chose their favorite Nintendo character and battled it out in a best-of-three, tournament-style bracket. The losers had another chance to reach the finals through a one-and-done-style tournament bracket. The event also included additional attractions such as a large inflatable screen for gaming and a Dance Dance Revolution area.
Bringing Awareness to the Community
Eric Tinnin expresses his desire to raise awareness about the University of Michigan-Flint Pavilion and to drive more people to the community, supporting local businesses and the student population.
Organizer Eric Tinnin emphasizes the importance of promoting the area and helping local businesses thrive. By hosting events like the Super Smash Bros. tournament and attracting more visitors to the University of Michigan-Flint Pavilion, Tinnin aims to contribute to the growth and prosperity of the community.
Future Plans: Regular Events on the Horizon
The organizers behind the successful tournament have ambitious plans to host similar events on a more regular basis in the future.
The trio of organizers, including Eric Tinnin, Armando Vasquez, and Luke Rimarcik, are optimistic about the outcome of their first-ever event at the school pavilion. Encouraged by the positive response and the high attendance at the Super Smash Bros. tournament, they are eager to continue hosting similar events in the future, with the aim of further strengthening the local community and boosting business opportunities.
Analyst comment
Positive news: Rising Popularity of Esports at University of Michigan-Flint Pavilion
As an analyst, I predict that the market for esports and related industries in the University of Michigan-Flint area will experience growth. The success of the Super Smash Bros. tournament showcases the potential for esports events to attract a large audience and generate business opportunities. This will likely lead to increased support for the university’s esports program and the organization of more regular events in the future, benefiting both the local community and local businesses.
