Snakes' Mom: "I was on board because I knew that he had what it took to compete"
Kate Amann has been a vocal online supporter of her son Ryan "Snakes" Amann, and it was no different in person. We caught up with her before the final decisive map of the team's series against Rise Nation to get her thoughts on the age restrictions impacting her son, being an esports parent, and more.
So first of all, how is it to be here in New York? You guys are from Pennsylvania right?
Yes, it's fantastic. We love to support him.
Going back to when Snakes was younger, what was it like when he was starting this journey for you. Were you initially super gung-ho about it?
Well, at first we didn't understand. "Mom I have to be home for practice" at like 12 years old. And then we took him to Columbus to see the Major and he was 13 when we did that. His father and I started to follow what he was doing and ever since then we've just been on board.
Really the last year it's kind of taken off. He played at Fragadelphia 9 in 2016 but since then he's really come into the higher level.
Yeah, he got Rank S at 14, first try. I remember him coming to me and saying when he was A+ "Mom I'm gonna go for G." And then I followed him and I was like "oh my gosh" he made Rank S. I was on board because I knew that he had what it took to compete.
Everyone knew already going in that if SoaR were to qualify for Pro League that he wouldn't be able to play because of his age. Now it has come out that he also would not be able to play another season of MDL, at least according to what we know. How has he taken that and how have you taken that?
He's not one of many words. He says he's okay with it, but it's gotta be difficult because he's played with Logan "voltage" Long for two years. To me it's upsetting because I just feel like he's made it this far and to take that opportunity away from him is not any good.
Do you have any advice for aspiring esport parents on how to go through this process?
Yeah, I've met many parents over the last two years at these LANs. Some come into it and have no idea what's going on and I tell them just to listen to what their children have to say and be supportive because it's different. Ryan used to play baseball and basketball and we were supportive. When he came to this it was like, we had to open our eyes to something completely different. Listen to what they have to say and follow their passion.
How do you as a family or as parents deal with the crazy schedule that comes with what your son does?
Well Ryan, he takes cyber school through his school. And playing this was a big part of that decision because when he was 13 and he'd be playing online tournaments he'd be up until midnight and have to go to school the next morning. But he came to me and asked and I looked into it and he's doing fine at school. And he can juggle playing and schoolwork and it works for us.
What is your vision or his vision for as he gets older and finishes high school? Do you think that he will try to do the same thing for college and university?
Well, he's not sure. He would love to go Pro, that's what he wants to do. His father owns his own business so he's self employed so that's probably his other option where he'll go and work, under his father and whatnot.
As things currently stand, Snakes will be playing the next season of ESEA in Main, along with some other sub-16 players. He will come of age prior to ESL Pro League Season 8, and will no doubt garner interest from teams in the league when he does.
