CLEVELAND – A passion for visual arts and a talent for competitive gaming are coming together in one of Cleveland State University’s newest esports recruits. Marissa O’Connor, a freshman from Painesville, Ohio, is already making waves as a standout member of the Valorant Academy team.

Majoring in studio art, O'Connor brings a unique creative perspective to the digital battlefield. She plays under the alias “umi” and has taken on the crucial in-game role of a "smokes player." This tactical position requires deep strategic thinking to control sightlines and shape the flow of the game—a skill not unlike an artist composing a scene on a canvas. By placing vision-blocking smoke, she creates opportunities for her teammates and dictates the terms of engagement.

Her leadership and ambition are just as impressive outside of the game. When she isn't practicing with her team, O'Connor enjoys coaching gymnastics, mentoring other young athletes. In a remarkable display of initiative, she is also starting a grassroots organization with the goal of sending her Valorant team to compete at a major LAN (Local Area Network) tournament in Las Vegas, showing a commitment to building the program from the ground up.

Combining local talent with a passion for competition and community, Marissa O’Connor is a dynamic addition to the CSU family. The esports program is thrilled to welcome her to the team and looks forward to a promising season ahead.