Good to see you here!
If you've managed to make it to this part of the website, it likely means that you want to become a part of the club, to which we respond with "Welcome to SmashUMA!" We're a large RSO with a composition of members with diverse purposes for being here, and we understand that it can be tough for new attendants to feel welcome or assured about their place. This page is meant to help guide the latter towards what they are looking for.
If you still aren't fully sure about how this group works, even after reading the Q&A below, feel free to look into the Facebook groups (UMA and non-UMA) for some answers from our current players. |
This all sounds awesome, but I'm new and nobody I know is a member. How can I best get a first impression of SmashUMA?
The simplest answer is to come by to one of our weekly meetings. At meetings, we have a multitude of setups across several Smash games available for players to use freely. No one has a claim to a TV or a rotation; anyone is welcome to approach any setup and ask to join with whoever is currently there. Meetings are completely free and are open to anyone who is interested, even if they are not from UMass Amherst. Check the schedule to learn when our next meeting is.
What does it take to become a member?
Being a member of SmashUMA is extremely non-committal. We do not charge money for membership or to get entry into meetings. There is no obligation to attend tournaments, trips, or even every meeting. To us, a "member" is someone who has introduced themselves to the community and has some way of communicating with us.
If you wish to get into our network, the best thing you can do is join us on Campus Pulse and join the Facebook group (UMA or non-UMA). It is also suggested that you join our Discord server, which acts as a site for Smash discussion and voice-chat amongst our members and frequent tournament attendants.
If you wish to get into our network, the best thing you can do is join us on Campus Pulse and join the Facebook group (UMA or non-UMA). It is also suggested that you join our Discord server, which acts as a site for Smash discussion and voice-chat amongst our members and frequent tournament attendants.
I really like Smash, but I don't think I am good or I'm afraid of people thinking that I am trash.
Ultimately, our club attracts a multitude of players with various skill levels. However, SmashUMA is an environment that accepts those differences. Our members understand that not everyone is at the same level when it comes to their gameplay, and that not everyone who comes to our events has been to tournaments or is even actively striving to improve their game. We still have rivalries, trash talk, and intensity when it comes to how some players interact, but we are not accepting of players who tear down others because of how they play. The club eBoard asks that members bring up such issues to it if they become apparent, but this is an area where we have had almost no prior issues with.
What happens if I am not a student at UMass Amherst but want to get involved?
We open our door to anyone who wants to play at our meetings and tournaments. Smashers are not exclusive to this campus, and it would be a shame if we limited our competition to just UMass students. Players, content creators, tournament organizers, and other individuals are all welcome to invest themselves in our group.
There are some limitations that come from not being a UMass student, which mainly stem from how UMass deals with RSO policy. For instance, our main Facebook group is limited to students with umass.edu email accounts, which is why our alternative Facebook group exists. These players also cannot join the Campus Pulse page, and by extension cannot be eBoard members. However, non-UMass players will still have a right to make contributions or state their opinions about the state of the club. There might be limitations as to whether these players can participate in TMG or S4C, depending on their rulesets for the season. Lastly, our Power Rankings are currently only eligible for students at the Five Colleges, but these is subject to change.
There are some limitations that come from not being a UMass student, which mainly stem from how UMass deals with RSO policy. For instance, our main Facebook group is limited to students with umass.edu email accounts, which is why our alternative Facebook group exists. These players also cannot join the Campus Pulse page, and by extension cannot be eBoard members. However, non-UMass players will still have a right to make contributions or state their opinions about the state of the club. There might be limitations as to whether these players can participate in TMG or S4C, depending on their rulesets for the season. Lastly, our Power Rankings are currently only eligible for students at the Five Colleges, but these is subject to change.
I cannot bring a personal controller and I do not own a viable setup for the game(s) I play.
We have several Gamecube controllers available for players who need to borrow them at meetings and tournaments. This system will remain free as long as players return controllers in the condition that they were given to them.
As for setups, we will often ask that players bring setups to meetings and tournaments, especially the latter, due to our larger numbers. While this greatly helps the club run smoothly and grow, it is not a necessary step that every member must take.
As for setups, we will often ask that players bring setups to meetings and tournaments, especially the latter, due to our larger numbers. While this greatly helps the club run smoothly and grow, it is not a necessary step that every member must take.