By: Ethan Steinquest September 2, 2025
Austin Peay State University’s Esports Gaming Room gives high-performance computer systems
and consoles for aggressive or informal occasions, and is residence to the Govs Gaming pupil
group. | Photo by Sean McCully
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University is getting into the world of esports
for the primary time at midday on Saturday, Sept. 6, with Govs Gaming set to tackle MTSU in a four-versus-four Tekken 8 occasion throughout CDE Lightband’s F2CON.
The occasion can even be livestreamed by way of Twitch, with a watch get together within the Morgan University Center outdoors Einstein Bros. Bagels.
The successful group will obtain a trophy and $2,500 to go towards their membership’s funds.
“I’m pretty nervous, but I’m also really excited,” stated sophomore administration main
Anthony Collier, one in all APSU’s group members. “It’s one factor taking part in on-line, however when
you’re on an enormous stage in entrance of individuals it’s a complete totally different recreation and atmosphere.
You should preserve your cool whenever you’re taking part in Tekken as a result of it’s a recreation the place you possibly can actually get rolling.”
Collier and his teammates have been training the preventing recreation for months to arrange
and hope to construct some momentum of their very own by beginning Austin Peay’s esports profession
with a win.
“I really want to fight against new people in person,” stated sophomore finance main
Lakavius Stokes. “When you try this, you get to study quite a bit about the differing types
of characters and the way individuals make the most of them.”
Tekken 8 has practically 40 playable characters with distinct preventing types, and Collier stated
the important thing to success is knowing how each works so you’ve a grasp on each
matchup.
“We’ve been doing loads of on-line matches since you get a extremely massive number of
the roster,” stated Ashton Hulsey, a junior English main and Govs Gaming vp.
“That helps you study extra about characters you don’t normally see and what you possibly can
get away with, and also you begin taking part in in opposition to higher and higher opponents.”
Meagan Potts, Govs Gaming’s employees advisor, stated the membership goals to proceed competing
in opposition to different faculties and develop right into a nationally acknowledged esports program. Club
members are presently working to construct aggressive groups for different video games like Overwatch and Marvel Rivals, however gamers of any talent degree are welcome to get entangled.
Govs Gaming Vice President Ashton Hulsey and Govs Gaming President Sasha Puskas on the ribbon chopping occasion for APSU’s Esports Gaming Room. | Photo
by Sean McCully
Janessa Walpole, a junior laptop science main and Govs Gaming secretary, stated the
membership hosts a number of informal occasions like Monday Mayhem, a month-to-month get-together with pizza
and get together video games like Mario Kart.
“Our subsequent Monday Mayhem goes to be welcome-party themed, and final Halloween we
had a horror trivia evening the place I tossed in some straightforward questions and loads of obscure
stuff,” Walpole stated. “I really feel like that’s what makes trivia enjoyable. I like serving to out
the membership and I like video video games, so it’s been nice getting concerned.”
Sasha Puskas, a junior psychology main and Govs Gaming president, stated the membership helped
her make connections throughout a time when she felt notably remoted.
“I joined as a twin enrollment pupil whereas I used to be nonetheless in highschool, however the one
mates I had there have been theatre mates,” she stated. “I knew I wasn’t going to be
in theatre anymore, so I needed to seek out individuals with the identical pursuits as me. This
membership actually helped me get entangled on campus and meet loads of new individuals, and it’s
given me one thing to do moreover taking part in video games alone.”
Hulsey stated he sees new college students in APSU’s Esports Gaming Room on daily basis, and that
it has develop into a neighborhood the place individuals can unwind between courses, take pleasure in video games collectively,
and even compensate for assignments.
“People are constantly looking for connections, and that’s why games are so great, because they connect us,” Potts stated. “Not all people likes
sports activities, and that’s OK. Gaming is one thing lots of people take pleasure in that’s actually rising
in reputation, and if we will help APSU construct a spot for individuals to join and play, it might be wonderful.”
For extra data on Govs Gaming, contact Potts at 931-221-6594 or pottsm@apsu.edu.
Students thinking about becoming a member of the membership can even visit its Discord server here.