The sounds of rapid controller clicks filled the DEVsource Esports Arena at Murray State University on Saturday, April 18. Fifty-eight competitors gathered for “Shoes Up 3,” a regional Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament that brought players from several states to campus.
Hosted by Murray State’s Smash Team, the event featured singles, doubles and redemption brackets, attracting both experienced competitors and newcomers. Organizers said the tournament showcased the growth of esports at the University and its ability to connect players across regions.
Connor Wolfe, a senior graphic design major, is the main tournament’s organizer and the Smash Gold Team captain. He said that managing the event needed constant coordination.
“Hosting Shoes Up 3 was very engaging; there was hardly ever a dull moment,” Wolfe said. “I would check in with the stream staff, run over to ensure the bracket was moving well, then get called to play a match.”
Wolfe said the event attracted players beyond Kentucky.
“Shoes Up 3 brought so many players from in and out of state to Murray,” he said. “You’d see players from Tennessee and Missouri talking to each other while watching a Kentucky and Ohio player play their set.”
The Smash team had strong showings. Wolfe achieved the highest singles placement among University players at 13th. Smash Team co-captain Dylan Colp, a sophomore cybersecurity major, finished second in the redemption bracket and Colp teamed up with Blue Team captain Noah Cooper to place fourth in doubles.
For competitors, the event offered more than just rankings.
Another member of the Smash Bros. Gold Team, Cooper Dietrich, a junior mathematics major, said the tournament represented a significant improvement from last year.
“I had a really fun time at the tournament,” Dietrich said. “My best showing was with my duo partner, Southdog34, where we tied with another duo for fifth place in the duos bracket after a 3-2 record. It was a huge step up for us from our 0-2 exit last year.”
Dietrich said he enjoyed the community atmosphere.
“It was really fun and a massive step up,” he said. “I got to meet people from around here and others who drove in.”
Addison Clark, another Smash Team member, said the experience of the event went beyond competition with a strong social impact. He said he used leftover campus dining funds to help other participants buy food.
“It felt like a really nice community was there,” Clark said. “By the end of the tournament, I had spent over $1,200 of my flex funds. I felt genuinely happy about it since I knew I was helping others.”
Organizers said this sense of community is a key goal of Murray State Esports events. New players had opportunities to compete alongside more experienced participants and often received advice and encouragement.
The tournament’s success reflects a wider rise in college esports, with universities increasingly backing competitive gaming as both a recreational and professional path.
Wolfe said the event is expected to continue even after his graduation this year, with Colp set to take over as the lead organizer. The Smash team is always looking to expand participation and continue building connections within the esports community.
