Manchester University

For the fifth time in a row, the Manchester University Esports Super Smash Bros. Ultimate team brought home the Great Lakes Esports Conference championship.

Defeating Valparaiso 3-0 in the finals on Saturday, April 15 the Spartans went 10-0 in the regular season with a 20-match count. Manchester defeated Baldwin Wallace 2-0 in the quarterfinals and University of Mount Union 2-1 in the semifinals.

Junior James Walsh was named the GLEC Smash regular season MVP and Junior Collin Eastman was named the finals MVP, taking a team-high 13 stocks in grand finals. Walsh took 7 stocks, August Elliott took 5 stocks, and Mitch Manns took 2 stocks in the championship series. 

"No team works harder than us. We are in the lab every day working to become better than we were yesterday, and it shows,” said Garrett Schieferstein, MU esports director. “Shoutout to team captain August Elliott who has taken charge of practices and been a fantastic mentor and leader for our team."

Manchester esports was also voted GLEC Best Program by the conference directors.
"This was a huge surprise and an amazing honor. A huge thank you to all of our players, coaches, parents and fans that make Manchester esports such a great program," Schieferstein said.

With the GLEC win, the MUES Smash team qualified for the Collegiate Esports Commissioners Cup in Arlington, Texas, on May 6 and 7. There they will face the best teams in the nation, including Michigan State, Houston and Winthrop. 

Manchester scholarships are available for League of Legends, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros., Fortnite, Overwatch and Valorant. See more on the esports page. www.manchester.edu/student-life/esports-home.

Manchester also offers a business minor in esports management. 

For the media
Garrett Schieferstein can be reached at esports@manchester.edu.

Team members, from left: (bottom row) August Elliott of Wabash, Indiana; Duncan Burns of Walkerton, Indiana; Collin Eastman of Kewanee, Illinois; Josh Lee of Wyandotte, Michigan; and Dylan Hines of Bremen, Indiana. (top) Michael DeBartolo of Elkhart, Indiana; Mitch Manns of North Manchester, Indiana; Trent Delliquadri of Chesterton, Indiana; James Walsh of Peru, Indiana; and George Thomason of San Pierre, Indiana.

Manchester University, in North Manchester and Fort Wayne, Ind., provides vibrant and transformative student experiences. Learn more at www.manchester.edu/about-manchester.

Our mission and values
Manchester University respects the infinite worth of every individual and graduates persons of ability and conviction who draw upon their education and faith to lead principled, productive, and compassionate lives that improve the human condition.

April 2023