A popular opinion expressed by the less tech-savvy, older generations seems to be that relying on computers and other technology creates a gap between reality and the user; that having entire friendships or partnerships that never involve meeting face-to-face is unhealthy.

Games like Starcraft II and its legendary predecessor, StarCraft: Brood War, are becoming increasingly popular choices in team sports for gamers. Friends both local and on the internet discuss strategies, watch replays and develop game skills. It is increasingly apparent that team sports are no longer restricted to the field.

The Collegiate StarLeague’s webpage asks the question, “Ever wonder what it would be like to have your home team play against your biggest rivals — not on the football field, but instead on the virtual landscape of StarCraft?” Through the Collegiate StarLeague, teams from more than 130 universities in the U.S. and Canada competed in this year’s tournament, and next year SRJC may have its own competing team.

Sterling Baldwin, SRJC student and founder of the new SRJC StarCraft II club started playing StarCraft in 1998 when it originally came out. He stopped playing until 2007, when he first heard of the professional competitions in Korea and watched the matches. After hearing about the Collegiate StarLeague (CSL) he tried to get a team together from SRJC, but failed to gather enough players to compete in the current season. “I’m hoping that if I start something now that by the time registration comes around for the CSL I’ll be able to have enough people,” Baldwin said.

Each team in CSL needs at least five players who are currently enrolled as students at the college they represent. Baldwin has found five players at SRJC willing to participate next year.

“I joined because I love playing StarCraft, and it’s always more fun to practice and play with people who also love StarCraft,” Zac Crawford-Lewis, SRJC student said. He hopes playing against other high-level players will help him improve his game, as well.

The professional StarCraft II league in South Korea is a televised, sponsored tournament, with a new season every month and legions of followers, though StarCraft: Brood War remains the more popular of the two games in Korea. E-Sport tournaments in the U.S. are nowhere near as highly produced or publicized, but have grown in popularity over the years. CSL’s season starts in the fall semester and continues through the spring semester.

Members of the club don’t have to be interested in competing, though. In addition to forming a team, Baldwin and other members hope to help members improve their gameplay, or introduce StarCraft to people who have never played. “I’ve done a lot of tutoring, and I know that when I explain things to someone else it’s like me explaining it to myself; I understand it better,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin created a flier for the club using a poster provided by CSL and altered it to give information about the facebook group he created for interested students.

“I thought it was hilarious the first time someone said, ‘Hey, you play StarCraft, have you heard someone’s trying to start a StarCraft club?'” Baldwin said.

Baldwin’s brother Alvin will also be on the team and in the club. “It is an interesting game that is difficult on many levels and can be played at any level and [players] can have a lot of fun just playing with other people.”

The SRJC StarCraft group on facebook has 15 members. More information about the club and possible meeting times can be found there.