Each year, river rivals St. Ambrose University and Augustana College pit their Esports teams against one another in an event known as “Battle for the River”.
Payton Tucker, Director of Esports at Augustana College, says the old directors “…had come up with the event to kind of do an inner Quad Cities Esports competition.”
Keith Hamaker, Director of Esports at St. Ambrose University, added, “We’re across the river from each other, we both have esports programs, let’s have a little get together – a little competition!”
Battle for the River typically consists of five games chosen by the two directors, with choices made depending on what rosters are available every given year. This allows the directors to put their own spin on things.
League of Legends was one staple game that was removed this year. Hamaker said, “We have dropped League of Legends, which is traditionally there, for Marvel Rivals…
“It’s more popular and more fun right now.”
This decision also helps entice viewers and players alike. Joseph Pyle, member of the St. Ambrose Esports Overwatch team, gets the chance to play Marvel Rivals at Battle for the River because of this.
Pyle said, “I play Overwatch mainly, but for Battle for the River I’ll be doing Overwatch and Marvel Rivals.
“I think it’s great, it’s really nice to get into the hero shooter genre.”
When looking at last year’s Battle for the River, St. Ambrose University won 4-1. Tucker says that he’s “…excited to get a rematch of last year.”
Ahead of Battle for the River, Hamaker believes “…the guys in the program are ready to go…
“They know it’s our rival school across the river…they know what’s at stake.”
Tune in and visit twitch.tv/AugieEsports. To learn how this year’s Battle for the River went, read Raging Rivalries and Sweeping Victories
