Disclaimer: This story is a part of out April Fool’s edition, The Goofordian. This story was created by Guilfordian Staff and is not based in fact.

In the past few years the number of Esports teams on college campuses has skyrocketed to over 120 programs, and this coming fall Guilford College will join their ranks. With some of the most popular Esports players in the world right now making thousands of dollars a game it’s becoming impossible to deny online gaming its rightful place in our current sports pantheon. Guilford’s decision to found their own team comes on the heels of similar announcements from  numerous other Quaker institutions across the US. As it becomes clear that Esports competition will soon become a major staple of college athletic programs, questions about Guilford’s founding team are on everyone’s minds.

“I just hope they take into account how many years some of us have been in this field,” said third year Lars Sternson. Sternson and other concerned members of the schools Yachting Club are worried that their dedication to gaming will be overlooked in Guilford’s coming decision process. As a popular Twitch streamer Sternson is familiar with the unique dynamic between player and viewer that Esports presents, and hopes that will bolster his chances in the draft. For him and many others, being drafted to Guilford’s team would be the culmination of years of hard work. 

“A lot of these kids have been working at this for ages before we even knew what Esports was,” said newly appointed coach Bob Wurnwitz.

Wurnwitz, an alumni and former Yachting Club member himself was hired by the school earlier this year in preparation for the teams fall debut. His work as an assistant coach for the Philadelphia Fusion makes him a huge asset for Guilford, and his unparalleled eye for talent will surely benefit the team. With the preseason prep off to a strong start, the Esports fever can be felt rising all over campus.

“I think it’s a great idea that Guilford’s starting an Esports team, I already got my tickets for the opening night,” said senior softball captain Mary Shore.

The debut event of the fall season will be held in the Greensboro Coliseum downtown, and tickets are reported to be nearly all sold out. This boom in popularity for competitive gaming hasn’t gone unnoticed, and talks for construction of a gaming stadium on campus are already in the works. While many on campus are excited about these new developments, a dedicated coalition of Quakers has been adamant in their opposition to Esports. Numerous students gathered to march outside of Founders displaying signs in protest of the schools decision to promote a sport based in simulated violence.

“I think this is just a blatant affront to Quaker values, I mean it’s profiting off of deaths” said second year QLSP student Georgia Fox.

Fox and many others have pushed repeatedly for the end to full contact sports like football on campus so for them this Esports announcement comes as a shock. Despite continued pressure from the Quaker dissenters the administration continues to maintain their support for the new Esports program.

When contacted for a statement Fernandes’ office said she was too busy playing Fortnite to comment but the Esports program has her full support.

Guilford’s esports team, named the Fighting Quakers, will face the UNC Chapel Hill Tar Heels in the opening matchup of the season.