"League Owner"- An Interview with Sam Peters

Sam Peters has been in charge of the Champaign Pokemon League for over a year now, and he keeps things running whether it is a weekly tournament or just friendly league play.

Here is the interview!

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Sam and his brother

Could you introduce yourself?

My name is Sam Peters. I'm 23, and I'm actually a native of Champaign/Urbana.  

Can you tell us about your history with the game? How long have you been playing?

I started playing this game when my older sister got me into it when the cards first came to the states. I quit for a while, then I picked it back up again in the Diamond & Pearl era.

Which do you prefer: the Pokemon video games or the trading card game? Why?

I prefer to play VGC on a competitive basis but other then that I don't really dislike either one. The TCG is a lot more strategy-based and requires practice and effort whereas VGC is more casual to play and I think it is more fun.

How much have you traveled for Pokemon? When you travel, do you play VCG or TCG?

I have done a lot of traveling over the last four years for events, never too far, and mostly to judge. When I do play I tend to play VGC if that's an option, but if not I will play TCG. I have traveled to Ft. Wayne two times, Madison three times, St Louis once (all for judging), Chicago twice (once for judging and once to play), as well as playing at the last two National Championships in Indianapolis. I have not really ever tried to get my Worlds Invite. I mostly just judge and help my brother do better.

Your brother plays Pokemon too, the VGC. What effect does that have on you?

Yes, my brother also plays the VGC. That fact makes me see the VGC side of the whole Pokemon thing better than most. It also drives me to help kids get better at the game.

What prompted you to take responsibility of the C-U league? What motivates you to keep doing it?

I took the initiative to run things here in town when our former organizer kinda left us. I really enjoy running events and helping kids have fun and enjoy something I also enjoy. My motivation to keep things going is all of the players that count on me for events every week and their weekly dose of Pokemon fun!

What was your favorite generation from the games?

My favorite generation would have to be third generation. Emerald version was the first one of the games I really got into. I put over 300 hours into that little cartridge and I don't regret it at all.

Are there any big matches or games from your career that stick out to you?

My biggest match was the match I had second round at this past nationals, where I played the number two player in the country: Aaron Zheng. And I only lost a little bit!

What is your favorite Pokemon?

Right now my favorite would have to be Mega Salamence since i played it at Nationals, but it's a toss-up between most of the dragons in third and fifth gen.

What is your favorite card of all time?

My favorite card ever would have to be Poliwrath from Base Set since it was my first holo rare card I ever got.

What types of decks do you like to create?

I usually build fun decks, but I also enjoy decks that do a lot of damage. That's why my current deck is Darkrai/Yveltal in Extended.

What is your favorite move combination that you’ve created?

My favorite move combination would have to be double Hyper Voice with each one being turned into a different type move by the Pokemon's ability.

Do you play on PTCGO or Showdown? How much?

I play PTCGO often and I play Showdown sometimes but mostly PTCGO. And I play almost every day now, I use it to test decks for tournaments.

What do you like to do outside of Pokemon? What are your hobbies?

Outside of Pokemon I play a lot of video games, and occasionally build things.

What kinds of things do you build?

I build wooden things and sometimes metal things, but I don't really have the tools for metalworking right now.

What would you do if Pokemon suddenly stopped existing?

If Pokemon were to end, I would probably just keep playing video games and maybe start playing a new card game. Who knows...

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Thanks for the interview, Sam! Be sure to give Sam a wave next time you see him.