Get in the Game

This December, Baylor University is hosting the Texas Esports League Fall Finals, an interscholastic video gaming competition for middle- and high-school teams.

In partnership with Vanta, an organizational leader in esports development, the Finals will bring together teams from across Texas to compete at the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center in games like Rocket League, Valorant, Fortnite, Apex Legends and more.

“Organized, competitive video gaming is becoming one of the fastest growing scholastic and collegiate activities across the country,” Ed Lallier, cofounder and chief corporate development officer of Vanta, said. “We’re excited to be able to bring this level of competition to Baylor.” 

Ross VanDyke, B.A. ’03, is Baylor’s associate vice president of enrollment management, marketing and innovation. He says that a brand partnership with Vanta provides another opportunity for the University to grow a presence into new markets of prospective students and families.

“Not only will the Fall Finals allow us to extend Baylor hospitality to competitors across the state, but the event also creates an opportunity to showcase the Baylor experience to students who may not yet have us on their radar for their college education.”

Competitors also will be offered campus tours and have opportunities to visit with faculty from the STEM fields and with members of Baylor’s own esports team, OSO Esports, including the group’s president, Texarkana senior Joshua Linnett.

“We currently have a team of about 50 students competing in collegiate leagues and tournaments around the U.S., but we know there are many talented current and future Baylor students that excel at gaming. We just have to get them excited about what OSO has to offer,” Linnett said.  

Established in 2017 to promote the emergence of esports and engage in similar club-sport collegiate competitions within the state, OSO Esports and students interested in gaming now also have access to a gaming room in the Bill Daniel Student Center (SUB).

“It is a blessing to have support from the school, and I’m sure with this new partnership our organization will grow into something that every Baylor Bear can be proud of,” Linnett said.