Grand View Esports is turning to the community for support after a September 8 flood damaged its facility, launching a fundraiser to replace damaged equipment and restore the practice space its student-athletes rely on.
The damage has forced Grand View Esports to adjust how its teams use the facility, with players now sharing working PC stations during practices and game nights.
While the program has been able to continue operating, the changes have created challenges for practices, coaching, and future growth, making equipment replacement a priority for the program’s recovery.
For student-athletes, the impact has largely been felt through shared equipment and concerns about bringing personal devices into the facility. Coaches have faced additional challenges during practices, including the loss of dedicated PC setups for observing and working with their teams.
“It was such torrential rainfall that the water built up and ended up totally expanding through the whole facility, close to 3 inches of standing water…” Nathan Ragsdell, Director of Esports at GVU, shared. “It happened overnight, so there was nothing we could’ve done about it.”
The damage followed two significant flooding events during the summer and early fall. The first rainfall occurred in August, and the second caused water to enter through the facility’s front entrance and spread throughout the space. The resulting flooding left nearly three inches of standing water inside the facility.
After the flooding, Ragsdell went in and conducted an extensive assessment of the equipment affected by the standing water. Although some hardware from one PC was salvageable, the program ultimately lost four PCs, three monitors, six AC adapters, and a half dozen cables.
Several pieces of equipment technically powered on, but were not considered safe to use.
“We appreciate anyone that is able to help support us,” Ragsdell said, “We’re hoping for the best and anything that comes our way, we’re happy to be supported and to showcase our community is happy to help each other out.”
A Community Effort to Rebuild
Grand View Esports’ fundraiser has a goal of $5,000 and, according to the most recent update on Grand View Esports social media, has raised approximately 4% of its target.
The program is also planning on-campus fundraisers and floating the possibility of paid coaching sessions as additional ways to address its funding needs.
With its fundraiser set to close on October 4, Grand View Esports hopes the community’s support will help replace damaged equipment and allow its student-athletes to continue competing at their best.
For those looking to support the Grand View Esports program in the recovery process, click here to access their fundraising page and follow the program on social media for updates.
