Teams and Athlete Recruitment

Are you interested in being a part of a growing ESports program? Are you interested in being on the ground floor of building championship contenders in ESports for USM? Here are our general expectations for our teams:

• You must have and maintain a minimum 2.8 cumulative grade point average (GPA). You must also be full time enrolled in accordance with university standards and certified as eligible via NACE and the NECC each academic year term (fall, spring).
• You must have a clean student conduct record while on the teams, or you will be subject to sanctions from the team in addition to any sanctions authorized under other University policies. Sanctions may include suspension or termination from the Esports programs, or any other lesser sanctions as the coaching staff or Student Affairs may deem appropriate.
• You will participate in academic coaching for the duration of your participation on the intercollegiate teams if needed.
• You will plan your schedule accordingly to participate in organized practice sessions throughout the week. These practices will not exceed 20 hours a week and will be organized accordingly as not to impact your overall wellness.
• If you make a travel team for a match, you will be expected to attend.
• Should your specific team win a given tournament where a financial prize is offered/acquired, 50% of the total prize will be retained by the University.  The remaining 50% will be distributed amongst the team members who actively competed in that tournament based on individual performance.
• You agree that your primary gaming responsibility is to the University Esports teams. The coaching staff will determine whether or not your other gaming participation is an impediment to your commitment to University Esports. As your personal availability permits, 1 v 1 competitions, etc., you are free to enter under your own name. If you are to enter under the University of Southern Mississippi auspices the conditions of this letter will continue to apply. You agree and understand that Esports at USM is an extracurricular activity, and you have no property right or other right to participate as a member of the teams. Participation at all times is subject to the discretion of the Vice President for Student Affairs or their designee.

If you think you can meet these requirements and you have game, we want to talk with you. We invite you to learn more about us on berecruited.com. To speak directly, you can also email us at esportsFREEMississippi.

2021-2022 specific tryout information

*All students current, or new, must file an application to tryout. The link to that form can be found here.  Once you have filled out the form, we will make contact with you. You will have two options. 

Option A; Remote Option
For those who are out-of-state or still have pandemic concerns
You can submit a brief video introducing yourself that goes beyond what you put on the application. Also, you will be asked to submit 3-5 substantive clips of your game plan for consideration. These can be messaged/made accessible to esportsFREEMississippi. We will reach out to you shortly after submission with feedback. 

Option B; Live/Hybrid Option; Scheduled for July 28-30, 2021.
Updated as of 10:30 pm 7/28/21

Wednesday, July 28th                         5 pm               Tryout Q&A on Zoom 

Thursday, July 29th              5:00-5:45 pm                Rocket League 
                                               6:00-8:00 pm                League of Legends
                                               7:45-10:00 pm               Overwatch* 

Call of Duty and Rainbow 6 are being rescheduled if you are interested and have not been contacted by 7/29/21 at lunch, please reach out to esportsFREEMississippi%20to get the information.

*Overwatch will be fully remote
Results will be made available the following week 
All live tryouts unless noted will be in the ESports Lounge in the Cochran Center

All students wanting to compete, must have tried out, and be signed, no later than September 1st, 2021.