For some students, gaming is more than just a hobby. At Southern Nazarene University, it has become a competitive team sport. A new season brings a fresh face to SNU’s esports programs as a new head coach steps in to lead the roster. With a renewed perspective and new goals, Cody Johansen hopes to help players improve their skills, foster team unity, and elevate the program to the next level.
Tucked away on the second floor of the Beaver Building, you can find where it all happens. The dedicated esports room houses an impressive lineup of high-performance monitors where all the training takes place. I first discovered the esports team at the start of the year during New Student Institute (NSI) groups. Believe it or not, one of the first people I met was Kevin Thomas, a player on the team. After running into him again in the cafeteria, I took it as a sign to dive deeper into the program, and what I learned was truly exciting.
Coach Johansen brings valuable experience to the team and looks to develop players both individually and collectively. Johansen earned his degree from his alma mater, Ottawa University, where he spent two years as a graduate assistant. Before arriving at SNU, he served as the esports director at Brewton-Parker College for approximately a year.
You may wonder: How does esports differ from traditional college athletics? I had that same question before speaking with Johansen on campus. While esports demands many of the same skills as traditional sports, such as teamwork and communication, it also presents its own unique challenges.
When asked what makes e-sports different from other sports offered at SNU, he explained, “Obviously it’s not as physical, but it is definitely a lot more mentally taxing, and understanding that it’s all about using the quickness of your hands and your brain rather than your body.”
Growing up in an era of high-intensity gaming, the reaction time and hand-eye coordination of collegiate gamers is unbelievable. The sheer speed of their inputs and strategic decision-making requires tremendous focus, earning my utmost respect as a fellow competitor.
As SNU’s esports program continues to grow, Johansen is focused on building a strong foundation for the future. But before looking at what he hopes to accomplish with the team, it is important to understand what inspired him to take on the role in the first place. “I wanted to coach the E-sports team because it gives the student who may not be as athletically gifted an opportunity to be a part of something bigger than themselves,” Johansen added. “I wanted to provide them a road where they could build their future off of their talents.”
To prepare the team for competition, Johansen structures a balanced weekly training schedule. “I will have them practicing about three to four days a week,” Johansen noted. Two of the days, I will simply have them working on mechanics for their specific game. One of the days I will have them review mistakes they made in film sessions and strategize what they can do differently next time. Their last day is a scrimmage, which they will do against other teams online in a full game series so that it is [stimulating] a game-like situation.” For those wondering if the team will travel, Johansen mentioned, “there have been discussions about hosting in-person tournaments with other Great American Conference (GAC) schools.”
While coaching sets the vision, the players execute it in real time. Thomas, a transfer student from Brewton-Parker College, is currently one of the top competitors on SNU’s roster. Specializing in League of Legends, Marvel Rivals, and Rocket League (with a primary focus on Rocket League), Thomas shared what sparked his passion for collegiate gaming. “I was always passionate about games growing up and learning the competitive aspect of it,” Thomas shared. “Being around sports my whole life drove me toward taking that passion and applying it to something I’m good at.”
For Thomas, joining the team has been about more than just playing games. Along the way, there have been moments that have made being part of a team especially memorable. “Traveling to LANs and playing at my last school, Brewton-Parker, and playing against our main team on LANs and having a passionate real rivalry in a tournament style against everybody.”
For readers wondering what a LAN is, it stands for Local Area Network, referring to a live event where teams play in person across from each other with a live audience watching rather than competing online.
When it comes down to an important match, the pre-game experience can feel a little different. He explained what goes through their mind before competing. “I’m mostly very excited rather than nervous; there are a lot of teams that are high-ranked, but I feel passionate and know that we can beat most teams out there.”
As a competitor myself, I respect Kevin’s mindset. He is a genuine, passionate gamer who loves what he does, enjoys the process, and stays connected to his community. As SNU’s esports team continues to grow, the addition of a new coach brings a fresh start and new opportunities for players. From learning how to work together and handle high-stakes competition to creating memorable moments, esports gives students a unique venue to compete. With the coach’s goals and the players’ dedication, the team has every opportunity to build a lasting program that remains an integral part of SNU for years to come.
Photo provided by: SNU Creative