To address Black men’s mental health, the Morehouse College Freshman Class Council hosted the “Play and Laugh” event Nov. 8 in Archer Hall. The event encouraged relaxation, socialization and gaming education for students across the AUC. It was organized by the Maroon Tiger’s own Marcus Craig, a freshman journalism major.
Gameplay as a remedy
“My group and I wanted to host this tournament to focus on the idea of Black males having social support networks to fall back on when life gets hard,” Craig said. “We wanted to create a space where people could build new friendships and relationships. The easiest, lowest-stress environment for that, we thought, was through playing video games.”
The event took place in the Morehouse College gaming lab — a space that Morehouse junior and computer science major Javion Postell believes deserves more appreciation. Postell, vice president of Maroon Tiger Gaming, organized the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament during the event.
“One thing Morehouse lacks is a safe third space to relax and recharge in a social setting,” Postell said. “That’s what we hope this gaming lab continues to provide.”
Developing a competitive edge
The event featured casual games like Mario Kart and Roblox, along with the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament, where players competed for prizes and bragging rights as Morehouse’s best Smash Bros. player.
Five brackets included 10 total competitors, nine of whom belong to the new Morehouse Smash Bros. Ultimate team.
The team formed to build a community of skilled Smash Bros. players on campus. Captains Jalen Murray, Sekayi Fraser and Elijah Qualls aim to help players gain experience competing at the highest levels in Georgia and beyond.
Sophomore political science major Sekayi Fraser serves as an assistant coach for both varsity and junior varsity squads. Before the team launched, Fraser joined Murray and Qualls in a Birmingham, Alabama tournament in September 2025, where they won about $1,425. That success showed them the potential for a strong Smash Bros. presence at Morehouse.
“Hopefully a lot of these players can build careers in esports, or at least have great experiences in the field,” Fraser said. “Smash Bros. has gotten me through a lot of rough times, and I want others to have that same experience.”
Learning from the best
Freshman Garvey Anderson was the only participant not on the Smash Bros. team. After a quick first-round elimination, he reflected on the skill gap between himself and the team members.
“I realized there are levels to this,” Anderson said. “I know the controls and everything, but the timing, angles and anticipation are things these guys have clearly worked hard on.”
That dedication showed in the performance of tournament champion Lance Johnson Jr., a sophomore with years of competitive experience.
The “Play and Laugh” event underscored the growing importance of esports at Morehouse. It reminded students across the AUC that the gaming lounge remains open for anyone who needs a reset — whether through casual play or competitive gaming.
