Sheepy on UOL signing humble players: "[You can't be fine with what you've done] and then perform well"
By Mark Register
Apr 13, 2017
Q: How do you pick the right players, and keep them humble and hungry?
The way that we are picking people is taking a lot of time, because we really want to have the right person with the right mentality. We don't want someone that is hard to coach and hard to improve because right now, yes, you can be fantastic and you can be great, but the game is ever-changing and it has so many aspects where you have to be extremely flexible. So we really want somebody who is open-minded, who is humble, who really just takes as much in as he can to then learn from it, and then just develop really, really well. And in this case, I think we have the right people. Also with Hylissang and Csacsi being able to, you know, being veterans, being able to push through this mentality too. And I think that's the only way right now that you can actually be professional, because there's no way that you can sit on the things that you have done and be fine with it and then perform well. You always have to be hungry. You have always to look for being the better person. Because again, we don't want to be in the kind of mindset where we're regretting later something, and then in the end, it doesn't work out and you're just sitting there and you're like, "oh man" and you're bummed out. So yes, we are really... I think everyone is kind of on the same note on this, and that's so fulfilling as well.
Q: What do you prioritize as a team, and what do you cut out?
So I've been already around League of Legends for... since Season 1, and I've already started forming teams there. You know, met really early on Hylissang and Csacsi. And even starting there, it was kind of my goal to be really good, like, learn every day and be proud, you know. And that mindset--this person I wanted to be--just strengthened over the time. And now we are cutting a lot of stuff that's just unnecessary. We try to cut everything that's unnecessary and that's not helpful to our goal, because in the end, you don't want to live with regrets. We had a lot of times: we have not gotten to Worlds yet. We don't have a first place playoffs spot so far. We won Oakland, which made us really happy, and that was kind of the success we are looking for. But yeah, we're really trying to cut everything that is unnecessary for us actually winning the game, because afterwards, when you're sitting at home and you watch the finals of Worlds, on the one side, you are just amazed by what is going on and everything around it is so fascinating. And on the other side, you just really feel that that was something you would have been so happy to be a part of, and that just keeps you driving on as well. So yeah, that is kind of the energy behind us for making sure that we're always focused on the goal and that this is the reason we're all together in the first place. So we have the same goal, and everything afterwards is like an extra and a plus, and it's built around it.
Q: What is your dynamic with Khagneur (UOL Manager)? What does he do for you and the team?
I knew Romain already since, I think, now one year, one and a half years. And he kind of came to me as this kind of crazy person in a pink onesie, actually, applying for the job, like, "I want to be your manager. I think what are you guys are doing is cool and your name is cool." And yes, it was really freaky. And it transitioned from him just being the manager, kind of taking care of business, of social media, any kind of relationships from the team to other organizations and other brands, to also being more of a motivator as well, like somebody who's, you know, is there for you if you need him. And he's also cooking, you know. He helps wherever he can. And it's really just a fantastic person to back you up and help you out, you know. That's what we provide for each other, and I think it's something really, really nice.
Q: How do you create such a positive team atmosphere?
I think that our team atmosphere comes from the people, but it's also something that Romain and I are instilling in the team. So we know what we're kind of looking for. We're looking for something that is very productive and efficient, and also very little frustration for the people. And the kind of atmosphere where everyone is helping each other and everyone is working towards those goals just makes the most sense for us. So that's something we are pushing for. And people usually apply to things that really make sense, you know, and that just come naturally as well. So I think that it comes from the people, but it's also something that we're actively looking for.
Q: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
To all the fans, you know, people that see us on stage and see us being energetic, we're working really, really hard for this--everyone, for themselves and for the team. And everyone wants to get what they actually want. So everyone is--because they are in an atmosphere, like, an environment where they can do it. I think that's why we're really energetic. And just thank you to everyone who's appreciative to that and who can see the joy. And we have like 20 or 30 people after the games making amazing things like cakes and giving us Unicorn stuff and being super joyful too. So I kind of think that what you feel for yourself and what you are projecting will also be, you know, coming back to you. So I'm really, really happy that that's actually, you know, the stuff coming back, and that's a fantastic experience.