Competition fierce at FEDEA's third annual Madden video game tournament last night
David Twomey
Issue date: 10/7/09 Section: News
10/7/09 - Tensions were high last night in the University of Rhode Island's Memorial Union ballroom as 32 students furiously competed for a grand prize of $200 to Best Buy in video game club FEDEA's third annual Madden tournament.
The rules were simple; three-minute quarters, difficulty on All-madden, and rocks paper scissors to decide home field advantage.
Friends became foes as the brackets were read aloud and match-ups were assigned. The gaming commenced when FEDEA member, Dayo Ajayi, loudly said, "Let's play some football." Ajayi provided satirical, yet profound commentary throughout the night as the crowd steadily thrived off of his enthusiasm.
The ballroom shook in anticipation as the crowd huddled around eight television screens and game consoles, while watching the 32 contestants exchange blows.
Slowly, players were eliminated until only two remained in contention.
The championship game was played on a giant projector screen in front of an audience of roughly 20 students sitting in makeshift stadium seating comprised of fold up metal chairs.
The bout was set between the two friends, freshman Albert Lee and sophomore Bryan Guerrero. Lee had home field advantage as he prepared himself. He chose to use the Pittsburgh Steelers to take on Guerrero who chose the Philadelphia Eagles. The championship was a tremendous defensive battle on both sides, with a combined seven interceptions and one fumble. Lee and Guerrero played a bitter tug-of-war deep into two overtimes.
Lee scored first with an early touchdown, but the teams went back and forth exchanging the lead frequently.
In the end, Lee emerged victorious in a 21-14 win over opponent and close friend, Guerrero.
After the game, Lee reflected on his victory. "It was tough," he said. "There were a lot of hard challenges to overcome. I knew I was going to win. I'm a tournament winner, put it that way."
Guerrero took the defeat well. "He's like my brother," he said. "I taught him everything he knows."
As celebrations came to a close, FEDEA co-founder and former president, Wayne Montague, a senior management accounting major, was pleased with the night.
"We think a lot of people had fun tonight," he said. "I think that events like these help us break the stereotype of the typical gamer. This is a great way to bring people together from diverse backgrounds who love gaming. That's what we're all about."
Montague started the student organization, FEDEA Gaming and Entertainment, with his friend and fellow senior, Ronald Bickham II, three years prior during their sophomore year together. FEDEA is now an associate member of the URI gaming club.
President Kenny Velez, described the organization as "focusing more on competitive gaming, rather than recreational."
FEDEA meets every Monday night at 8 p.m. on the third floor of Memorial Union in Room 308 and welcomes all who wish to join.
The rules were simple; three-minute quarters, difficulty on All-madden, and rocks paper scissors to decide home field advantage.
Friends became foes as the brackets were read aloud and match-ups were assigned. The gaming commenced when FEDEA member, Dayo Ajayi, loudly said, "Let's play some football." Ajayi provided satirical, yet profound commentary throughout the night as the crowd steadily thrived off of his enthusiasm.
The ballroom shook in anticipation as the crowd huddled around eight television screens and game consoles, while watching the 32 contestants exchange blows.
Slowly, players were eliminated until only two remained in contention.
The championship game was played on a giant projector screen in front of an audience of roughly 20 students sitting in makeshift stadium seating comprised of fold up metal chairs.
The bout was set between the two friends, freshman Albert Lee and sophomore Bryan Guerrero. Lee had home field advantage as he prepared himself. He chose to use the Pittsburgh Steelers to take on Guerrero who chose the Philadelphia Eagles. The championship was a tremendous defensive battle on both sides, with a combined seven interceptions and one fumble. Lee and Guerrero played a bitter tug-of-war deep into two overtimes.
Lee scored first with an early touchdown, but the teams went back and forth exchanging the lead frequently.
In the end, Lee emerged victorious in a 21-14 win over opponent and close friend, Guerrero.
After the game, Lee reflected on his victory. "It was tough," he said. "There were a lot of hard challenges to overcome. I knew I was going to win. I'm a tournament winner, put it that way."
Guerrero took the defeat well. "He's like my brother," he said. "I taught him everything he knows."
As celebrations came to a close, FEDEA co-founder and former president, Wayne Montague, a senior management accounting major, was pleased with the night.
"We think a lot of people had fun tonight," he said. "I think that events like these help us break the stereotype of the typical gamer. This is a great way to bring people together from diverse backgrounds who love gaming. That's what we're all about."
Montague started the student organization, FEDEA Gaming and Entertainment, with his friend and fellow senior, Ronald Bickham II, three years prior during their sophomore year together. FEDEA is now an associate member of the URI gaming club.
President Kenny Velez, described the organization as "focusing more on competitive gaming, rather than recreational."
FEDEA meets every Monday night at 8 p.m. on the third floor of Memorial Union in Room 308 and welcomes all who wish to join.
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