Wartburg College is adding another team to its competitive 23-team Athletic Department roster in the fall of 2022: esports.
This is the college’s first foray into the world of cyber sports, and Ryan Callahan, Wartburg’s interim athletic director, says the college is ready to usher in a new generation of student-athletes.
“Esports is a growing opportunity for both high school and college students, and we are excited to take our tradition of excellence in athletics and apply it to this new sport,” Callahan said.
Esports, or video games that are played in an organized and competitive environment, is one of the fastest growing sports in the country, with more than 175 colleges and universities boasting teams that engaged thousands of student-athletes nationwide in 2020, according to the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE). The High School Esports League, the largest competitive gaming operation for high school students, partners with more than 2,100 schools in the United States and Canada and supports more than 60,000 student members, many of whom are eager to continue playing competitively in college.
“The addition of esports is consistent with our goal of providing opportunities that align with students’ interests and passions. This will allow us to attract a growing number of students who desire the opportunity to participate in esports while obtaining a top-notch education and having a highly impactful experience,” said Rick Willis, vice president for student recruitment.
Though the college has yet to determine which games the team will compete in, many collegiate teams compete in League of Legends, Overwatch, Fortnite, Madden NFL and Apex Legends.
A search for a head coach will begin immediately.