Balancing Esports and Classes at Fisher College 

Meet Michael "Tilde" Tedesco, a third-year psychology major and Esports Super Smash Bros. player at Fisher College who has been making significant waves in the world of esports and content creation. Renowned for his exceptional skill in Super Smash Bros., he ranks among the top 150 players globally and is celebrated as one of the best Falco players in the world, holding a spot in the top three within New York. 

Tilde began his competitive journey in this franchise at the age of 16. Much of his growth stemmed from playing with his brother and friends at home. A high school friend introduced him to the local esports scene, and it was there that he discovered his passion for the competitive atmosphere. When asked about his favorite character, Tilde revealed it would always be Mang0, “one of the greatest Super Smash Bros. Melee players,” noting that the legendary player influenced many aspects of his gameplay. He expressed gratitude, stating, “I probably wouldn’t be here without all the hours spent watching him stream with my brother.” 

Recently, Tilde took part in the Throne 2 Invitational, an exclusive, invitation-only event. Securing his spot required him to navigate a lengthy voting process. Back in September, there was a 2-3 week voting period during which players who performed well in major tournaments (Top 128 at an S tier, Top 64 at an A tier, etc.) could tweet their interest in attending. The invitational organizers compiled a list that was eventually narrowed down to around 16 players, with only six securing a spot in the event. 

The elimination rounds were held every couple of days in the afternoons, determining who would advance and who would go home. Participants could purchase merchandise tied to votes in favor of specific players. Tilde remarked, “I lucked out during this voting process and had a free schedule to stream like a maniac.” He streamed for hours on Twitch leading up to the end of the first round, working hard to secure his place without having to endure another voting process that could have lasted an additional three days. 

Reflecting on that intense period, Tilde expressed, “I was extremely grateful to my viewers who raised a massive $5300 for me to make it to the tournament.” Tilde began streaming in 2017, but he became more consistent during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in May 2020. 

Tilde aspires to pursue content creation full-time, he also values the stability that comes with traditional education and intends to continue his studies. On a drive to a tournament in Montreal with friend Eric (aka Mr.E), who is also an online student at Fisher College, Tilde learned how Eric’s new classes had been beneficial for him and how Fisher supports their players in the competition. Having previously regretted dropping out of college, this conversation inspired Tilde to take the first step toward continuing his education. 

Reflecting on his decision, he shared, “I feel lucky that I was directed towards this program because college feels a lot more manageable at this point in my life, plus I can pursue an education while playing the game I love.” He added, “Fisher not only helped me receive the education I strayed from for 2+ years, but Fisher was able to genuinely reignite the spark that I gave up on years ago.” Before transferring to Fisher College, Tilde struggled to find enjoyment in attending classes. However, since joining Fisher, he noted,

“Fisher gives me a lot more flexibility to jump into assignments when I feel ready to, which is usually later at night." 

Even with balancing academics and my tournaments, every teacher has been extremely understanding and willing to help me as soon as possible.” Balancing academics, esports, live streaming, and other commitments can indeed be challenging. Tilde reflected on his experience, saying, “It took me a little bit to get comfortable using Discord, but balancing college with my team’s crew battles has been smoother than I expected. Certain aspects stress me out, like when I have to cram school on the same night as a match, but I’ve learned to prevent this as much as possible.” 

For those considering a path in collegiate esports, Tilde offers valuable advice: “I think an important step is getting involved with your local community for whichever game you want to pursue. This not only allows you to find out how good you are on a larger scale, but it opens many doors that can push you in the right direction.” Tilde reflected on his transition to online classes, noting that it was initially stressful due to past experiences at another college. He emphasized the critical role of time management that became essential for him during this shift. In a moment of self-reflection, Tilde noted, “I never thought I’d be able to manage this much school, but I am happy to prove myself wrong. At this point, I want to [continue and pursue] my master’s degree while streaming and competing for as long as I am able to.” His growth throughout this journey has reinforced his determination to balance education and his passion for gaming.