Tag Archive: Esports

December 20, 2022

The Bridge magazine goes interactive

75th edition of the Bridge now available online

Finlandia University’s annual donor magazine, the Bridge, is now available online. In a new and exciting format, viewers can interact with this year’s issue like never before.

Across 32 pages of clickable stories, links and highlights, this year’s magazine celebrates Finlandia’s friends and family, including those who contributed to and supported Finlandia University throughout the year.

Highlights of this edition include the following stories:

Leadership: Finlandia University Management Team

Connect with the campus leaders on the [...]

Finlandia Esports Valorant National Champions

June 6, 2022

Esports win 2022 Valorant National Championship

It was a dominating performance as the Finlandia University Esports team for Valorant (9-7) beat British Columbia Marine (14-1) 3-0 (13-3, 13-7, 13-2) for the NECC National Championship in the Navigators Division.

This is the first national championship for the Esports program, which finished their second season. It’s the third national title for Lions athletics, the first in 18 years.

BRITISH COLUMBIA (MARINE) (14-1) – W, 2-0

Game 1 Dominic “MrGuy” Barrette led the way early on for Finlandia, taking the early rounds in [...]

May 16, 2022

Finlandia Esports advance to quarterfinals in NECC Rocket League National Tournament

Finlandia University’s Esports Rocket League team has advanced to the quarterfinals of the NECC National Tournament after going 2-1 in the qualifying round of the double-elimination tournament. At 3 p.m. today, May 16, FinnU will open quarterfinal play against GFU Academy. The winning team will advance to the semifinals held tonight at 6 p.m.

“Yesterday, I think we really came together as a group and I think we did a great job as a team to qualify for today,” Rocket League [...]

January 17, 2022

Bridge Feature: Hirvonen Hall provides new Esports arena

Instructional renovations at Hirvonen Hall have provided Finlandia’s Esports program with a new state-of-the-art arena. With well over 20 active players, the new space includes 14 top-of-the-line personal computers, 4k TVs, numerous consoles, a VR machine and a green screen streaming studio. Opening their doors for Finlandia students, their family and friends to enjoy the new equipment, Esports hosts open houses on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to midnight and Sundays 1 to 7 p.m.

Head Coach Lincoln Sorensen is [...]

August 19, 2021

Meet your Fall 2021 Orientation Leaders

Finlandia is excited to introduce its Fall 2021 Orientation Leaders. On-Campus Orientation is a series of in-person events and activities that will introduce students to the Finlandia campus and community. Each new student will be assigned to an orientation group or “flock”, named after a bird species that is present in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Each flock will have a different orientation schedule, which will be provided to students after they arrive on campus. We encourage students to ask questions and [...]

March 30, 2021

Student Spotlight: Valerie Helminen, Graphic Design

Sophomore Valerie Helminen, a graphic design major from Calumet, Mich. couldn’t seem to find the right fit when it came to colleges. Having previously attended Michigan Tech and four other schools, Helminen was looking for her next move. While attending Utica College in New York pondering what her next plan was, it seemed she had found it when her dad mentioned that Finlandia was looking for goalies.

“I was in New York playing hockey when my dad had heard Finlandia [...]

December 4, 2020

Goodman, Gonzalez talk fall esports success, announce new arena

ECAC Fall FIFA finalist, Chelan Gonzalez, and Esports Coach, Thomas Goodman, called into Finlandia Fridays this week to talk about the team’s success in their first season, how they managed to play through COVID restrictions and what they’re looking forward to in 2021 with their new arena.

Gonzalez, a sophomore Psychology major from Tecumseh, Mich. was recruited by Goodman through the men’s soccer program. As the fall sports teams weren’t allowed to compete due to COVID-19, [...]

March 20, 2020

Introducing FinnU’s New Esports Director, Thomas Goodman

On this episode of Finlandia Fridays, host Olivia Myers is joined by Thomas Goodman who was recently hired as the director for the new Esports program, which begins Fall 2020. The pair discusses everything from students to recruits and what you need to know about the team and upcoming season.

Esports is growing rapidly at the collegiate level and has been linked with improved memory, concentration, and analytical development. With this program, FinnU can reach [...]

January 24, 2020

Athletic Director Curtis Wittenberg Talks Esports

On this week’s episode of Finlandia Fridays host, Olivia Myers is joined by FinnU’s athletic director, Curtis Wittenberg to chat about the new varsity Esports program beginning this fall.

Esports is organized, competitive online gaming that allows multiple players to participate in competitions. Esports is one of the fastest-growing sports at the collegiate level. Online gaming has been linked to improved memory, concentration, and analytical development but, it also provides an opportunity for social development through teamwork and [...]

January 20, 2020

Finlandia to Introduce Esports as varsity sport in Fall 2020

Finlandia University Athletics is excited to host a new varsity sport on campus beginning in fall 2020, esports. Esports – competitive, organized, multiplayer, online gaming – is the world’s fastest growing sport and has begun to explode in popularity at the collegiate level.

“Esports can provide a home for those students who might not otherwise be engaged in college spirit, campus activities or social events, while offering an opportunity to make friends and build relationships,” said Athletic Director Curtis [...]