It has almost been a year since Trysten “Dubz” Williams represented the Humber Gaming Club as a Fighting Game Competitor (FGC) in Canada and at Combo Breaker, a fighting game competition in Illinois.
His contribution to the club led to Humber Esports creating a varsity FGC team.
Williams, who graduated from the engineering program, was able to top the leaderboards in the Collegiate Fighting Game Conference (CFGC) for the game Street Fighter, as a club member and not as a varsity player.
Senior Administrator Bernard Mafei of Humber Esports, a former pro-Street Fighter player, said he wanted to use Williams as a "proof of concept," to see how well he could perform and represent the club before creating the varsity team and thought he performed exceptionally.
“Dubz's experience with us was a proof of concept. He not only performed exceptionally well, he travelled to compete and was an exemplary advocate the entire time,” he said.
“With the feedback we got from students and outside community members, it was clear it was something we had to invest in seriously,” Mafei said.
He knew he had to assemble a varsity team after the (CFGC) was announced. CFGC houses all fighting games that can be played competitively.
“When the Collegiate Fighting Game Conference was announced I knew we had to take part,” Mafei said.
“I'm excited that we can recruit and support talent like Ethan and Kaleb through our new fighting game team,” he said.
Kaleb Kubassek, a pro player for the game Tekken 8, said he had aspired to compete in fighting games at a young age.
“It's been a dream of mine to represent a team or a name of some kind since I started playing smash bros melee when I was around 13 years old,” he said.
“Being able to do that finally all these years later is very surreal. I'm just happy to be here,” Kubassek said.
He said his time competing as a member of the Humber Gaming Club built up his confidence.
“Last season I performed quite well, ninth of 63 or something like that. And I've only gotten better since then so I'm feeling quite confident,” Kubassek said.
So far this season he has won three straight matches in his pool and so far is undefeated.
As for Ethan Sanchez, Humber Esports Street Fighter 6 FGC, said he is newer to the professional scene but is confident in his ability to win. He warns that those in the Collegiate Fighting Game Conference had better watch out.
“Compared to when I first started my journey with SF6 about a year ago, I’m more confident than ever to go out there and win, It’s just a matter of getting used to the tournament environment,” he said.
“I’m ready to heat it, it’s just a matter of time before that fire burns bright. I’ll always keep that passion and commitment alive so keep an eye out," Sanchez said.
