The main season of Overwatch came to a close a few weeks ago and one of our players, from the Overwatch Blue team (one of the two Overwatch teams here at Illini Esports), is Eric “IraqCanada” Canaday. Eric is a current sophomore studying Computer Engineering, the current starting main tank on Overwatch Blue, and one of the two new competitive coordinates for Overwatch. I had the pleasure this week to sit down and have a chat with Eric and talk about his journey in the esports community.
Before Illini Esports, Eric played in ametuer platinum overwatch tournaments. During that time, he learned a lot about the esports community and the growing scene around him. While these tournaments weren’t as big nor had as much stake in them, he had a lot of fun in the tournaments and where he got his first taste in organized 6 verses 6 play. Eric was first introduced to Overwatch because of his friend group on Twitch. What really pulled him in was the unique gameplay Overwatch brings. Eric didn’t really care for top down MOBAs (Multiplayer online battle arena such as League of Legends) and also didn’t really enjoy intensive tactical first person shooters that just depended on aiming (such as Counter Strike: Global Offensive). Overwatch for Eric is that in-between ground where he can find success and have fun but is still very challenging.
This year, Eric and the rest of the overwatch team competed in the Overwatch Collegiate Championship which concluded in early April. This is a huge tournament where 300+ collegiate teams fight for the national title. Both of the Overwatch teams from IE competed in this tournament. Eric and the rest of the Blue team went 7-3 within the group stage. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to make it out of the group stage within the tournament but still had a great showing. Illini Orange, (the other overwatch team at IE) did a bit better in the tournament and were able to make it through groups. They ended up knocking out Ontario Tech before falling to one of the tournament favorites Northwood. Eric talked about the orange team as a team with a lot of potential. Being a majority freshman team, Eric believes that the future is in good hands for IE’s overwatch presence in the collegiate scene.
These days, Eric and the blue Overwatch team have been preparing and playing in some other tournaments. One of the tournaments they are currently competing in is Collegiate Esports National Championship, where Illini Esports entered as a combined roster of both Illini Orange and Illini Blue. Recently, the team was able to pull off a 3-0 victory against RPI on April 29th. The blue team also participated in the Illini Invitational. With a lot of tournaments still going on even during the off season, be on the look out for game announcements to help support Eric and the rest of the Overwatch team. Besides playing the tournament games, Eric spends his day practicing with the team in scrims (organized 6 v 6 practice games against other teams) and often spends his evening playing in the Overwatch ranked ladder with a couple of his teammates. What is fascinating is how Eric and his team are teammates in game and friends in real life. Together, they not only work and practice to get better but have fun building synergy..
If you also enjoy playing overwatch, Overwatch PUGs (Pick-up games) occur often within the Illini Esports discord and are a great way to meet other students and enter the IE overwatch community. If you are interested in playing in organized play, Eric suggests you join the Illini Esports discord and be on the lookout for the tryouts announcement that will likely occur early next semester as the overwatch team is always looking to add new players onto their rosters. Eric’s Overwatch career is just getting started and with his leadership and dedication, I’m sure we are going to see some great accomplishments from him and the rest of the Overwatch team.
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Thanks again to Eric for taking the time out of his day to do this interview/spotlight. Again, to keep up with Illini Esports and the Overwatch team, follow our social media accounts (Twitter/Instagram/Facebook) as game announcements and results will be announced there!
-Geoffrey “Maybe” D.