Tryouts

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Tryouts

Overwatch

The Overwatch team is a Varsity title at Boise State and players are eligible to receive scholarships. The team is selected from current and incoming Boise State students. Top recruits should expect to be ranked 4400SR and above, although opportunities will be available for some players to develop as roles are needed.

Competitive play between candidates with observation from directors, coaches, and analysts.
Teaching, demonstration, and knowledge assessment.
Competitive scrims with teams inside and outside of Boise State University

Players will likely play for several hours at a time in the same groupings while receiving coaching and instruction between rounds, maps, and games. Players will play their primary role. Groups will be switched and/or players substituted. Please do not audition with a preset squad in mind. Flexibility is key.

Requirements

time at the university to play on varsity esports teams. They do not need to be enrolled full time during auditions.

They must maintain a 3.0 GPA to be eligible to participate in matches or scrims and must abide by the code of conduct.

Team Benefits include:

Recognition as official varsity team of the university
Open access to Battleground training center
Broadcasts, highlights, features, press
Scheduled season / arranged scrims
Coaching
Gear / Jerseys
Potential for travel
Potential for scholarships/financial aid opportunities

Requirements include…

Maintain grades and academic performance
Attendance at team practices and selected matches
Uphold the “Bronco Code”, Student-athlete conduct agreement
Maintain guidelines outlined in Boise State eSports student-athlete handbook
Scan or select the QR code to Subscribe

Rocket League

The Rocket League team is a Varsity title at Boise State and players are eligible to receive scholarships. The team (10-16 players) are selected from current and incoming Boise State students. Top recruits should expect to be ranked Grand Champion/SSL, although opportunities will be available for some players to develop as roles are needed.

Competitive play between candidates with observation from directors, coaches, and analysts.
Teaching, demonstration, and knowledge assessment.
Competitive scrims with teams inside and outside of Boise State University

Requirements

Availability for the varsity teams in Overwatch and Hearthstone is Monday and Wednesday (and occasionally as scheduled Friday) from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM and League of Legends, Rocket League, and Heroes of the Storm Tuesday and Thursday (and occasionally as scheduled Friday) from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Night scrims will be scheduled around team availability but will likely be Tuesday or Wednesday during a 2-hour block. Some travel may also change the schedule.

Players must be enrolled full time at the university to play on varsity esports teams. They do not need to be enrolled full time during auditions.

They must maintain a 2.5 GPA to be eligible to participate in matches or scrims and must abide by the code of conduct.

Team Benefits include:

Recognition as official varsity team of the university
Open access to Battleground training center
Broadcasts, highlights, features, press
Scheduled season / arranged scrims
Coaching
Gear / Jerseys
Potential for travel
Potential for scholarships/financial aid opportunities

Requirements include…

Maintain grades and academic performance
Attendance at team practices and selected matches
Uphold the “Bronco Code”, Student-athlete conduct agreement
Maintain guidelines outlined in Boise State eSports student-athlete handbook

Rocket League QR Code — Scan or select the QR code to Subscribe

Valorant

Top recruits should expect to be ranked Immortal 2 and above, although opportunities will be available for some players to develop as roles are needed.

Requirements

Spend adequate time at the university to play on varsity esports teams. They do not need to be enrolled full time during auditions.

They must maintain a 3.0 GPA to be eligible to participate in matches or scrims and must abide by the code of conduct.

Team Benefits include:

Recognition as official varsity team of the university
Open access to Battleground training center
Broadcasts, highlights, features, press
Scheduled season / arranged scrims
Coaching
Gear / Jerseys
Potential for travel
Potential for scholarships/financial aid opportunities

Requirements include…

Maintain grades and academic performance
Attendance at team practices and selected matches
Uphold the “Bronco Code”, Student-athlete conduct agreement
Maintain guidelines outlined in Boise State eSports student-athlete handbook

Overwatch QR Code — Scan or select the QR code to Subscribe

Super Smash Bros.

Requirements

Spend adequate time at the university to play on varsity esports teams. They do not need to be enrolled full time during auditions.

They must maintain a 3.0 GPA to be eligible to participate in matches or scrims and must abide by the code of conduct.

Team Benefits include:

Recognition as official varsity team of the university
Open access to Battleground training center
Broadcasts, highlights, features, press
Scheduled season / arranged scrims
Gear / Jerseys
Potential for travel
Potential for scholarships/financial aid opportunities

Requirements include…

Maintain grades and academic performance
Attendance at team practices and selected matches
Uphold the “Bronco Code”, Student-athlete conduct agreement
Maintain guidelines outlined in Boise State eSports student-athlete handbook

Supported Games

“Supported” titles are student-led and organized. Esports gives players on supported teams practice and competition time in the Battleground, official status for collegiate tournaments and leagues, and opportunities for broadcast and play in the arena. No scholarships or coaching are available for supported games.

R6:Siege: Our student-run R6 squad was one of the best in the nation.
Hearthstone: Boise State’s team was a finalist in the 2018 College Hearthstone National Championship.
Fortnite/Apex/CoD:MW These Battle Royale games have NACE and TESPA tournament opportunities and selected players can participate in these games.
League of Legends: One of the original five varsity games for the program. Disbanded in 2021 due to lack of players.

Evaluation

Boise State eSports will be holding auditions for varsity esports teams twice a year. All current varsity members will be expected to participate in tryouts if they plan to continue. The dates and times are listed below and are conducted online. Exceptions may be made for students home for the break, but webcam and Discord participation are required.

Boise State eSports is looking for students who excel in a team environment, are eager for coaching and feedback, and want to contribute to Boise State as a leader in eSports.

Players communication, gameplay, and replays will be evaluated by coaches, faculty, and analysts during and after to find the best composition for a competitive season. Evaluation and rubric scores will not be public or shared. Some details may be shared individually with the player individually for personal improvement.

Evaluation Criteria Table

Criteria / Grading	Excellent	Average	Needs Improvement
Communication	Regularly communicates with clear and accurate call outs during the game, utilizing correct vocabulary and specific locations. Remains focused and does not add fluff or clutter to the channel with off-topic information.	Periodically communicates during the game with accurate information. Seldomly communicates with vague, inaccurate, or of f -topic information.	Seldomly communicates accurate information during the game. Often uses incorrect vocabulary and communicates with unnecessary, misleading, and off-topic information.
Teamplay and Role	Regularly fulfills their role in team comp. Never attempts to abandon their role and make the star play. Is always supporting their teammates and remains focused on their role’s responsibilities.	Often falls back to solo-play decision making. Will sometimes be out of position or off target, but will quickly recover from mistakes and attempt to remain focused on the team strategy.	Often adopts his/her own version of the team's strategy. Will attempt to make the 'hero play' or be out of position frequently. May abandon their role and responsibilities to attempt and play someone else's role or position.
Attitude	Is proactive and conducts themselves as a natural leader towards their team. Is constantly giving supportive comments and advice. Regula rly remains focused and is always eager to learn and grow as a player. Admits to their own mistakes and actively works to correct them.	May sometimes point out mistakes in a negative tone, although does not intend to. Rarely lets their emotions get the best of them and overall is consistently very focused and a team player.	Often wants to learn and progress as a player, but generally fails to rebound from mistakes or misplays. Often lets their emotions take over and influence the team and their own gameplay. May take criticism and advice personally.

Criteria / Grading — Example of Rubric for Targeting, Movement, Positioning, Role, Communication, Teamplay, Attitude, Focus and Ethic, Rank / Potential. All are graded as Excellent (3), Averate (2), and Needs Improvement (1).

Selected players will be announced as soon as possible to assist in the class schedule. Players will then sign the team agreement outlining expectations for participation.

Official Esports Teams: Broncos

The Boise State Broncos Esports compete in the National Associations of Collegiate Esports, the UCEA, TESPA, CLoL, Mountain West Conference and has a reputation of excellence. The program has garnered a National Esports Coach of the Year Award (NAECAD), a Director of the Year (NACE), Broadcast Team of the Year (NACE), Overwatch Coach of the Year (NACE) 3 All-Star Team invitees, and 10 Academic All-Americans is only one reason for this high standard. Our student-athletes have graduated and to be hired into the profession as coaches and directors in their sport. In addition to this, the Broncos boast 3 Mountain West Championships. For prospective student-athletes who are looking for a place not only to shine, but to improve themselves and learn the true meaning of hard work and its rewards, the Broncos is the place to start.

Guide to Esports Scholarships for Boise State University

Boise State University offers scholarships and awards for students who demonstrate excellence and financial need. To be considered for scholarships at Boise State University, one must:

Be a full-time student.
Maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA.
Be in good standing with the game publisher.

Esports scholarships, made possible by the Boise State Esports, vary in value, are renewed annually based on eligibility, and are applied for through the Esports department. In addition to the esports scholarships, students may also apply for scholarships directly from their academic department. Student-athletes at Boise State have the highest cumulative grade point average on record for all the departments in the United States at an average standing of 3.0, making many eligible for Boise State scholarships. Scholarships are available for both students who are Idaho residents as well as students from out-of-state.

Scholarships and awards are limited with their purpose to make it possible for talented individuals to become Broncos and to support some students in their academic pursuits.