Introducing Esports

Anderson University is officially announcing esports as a part of its athletics program. The program will become a member of the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) and the teams will begin competing in the fall of 2020. Esports, short for electronic sports, is a form of sport competition using video games. It usually takes the form of organized, multiplayer video game competitions individually or as teams.

The university has had esports as a club since the spring of 2017. Dr. Justin Lambright, associate professor of mathematics, has been the faculty advisor for the club. "Esports is a market which has seen incredible growth worldwide over the last few years and is projected to have a viewership over 250 million by 2022, which would rival or eclipse that of the NFL," said Lambright. "On the collegiate side, NACE has grown to include over 170 schools as institutions across the country are getting on board."

Marcie Taylor, athletic director at Anderson University shares in the excitement, "It's the right time to provide those interested in an outstanding academic experience on our campus who also have the desire and ability to compete in collegiate esports at the next level the opportunity to do so."

The inaugural esports team will compete in League of Legends, Rocket League and CS:GO, with plans to add more games in the future. The AU esports team will be open to both men and women and tryouts will commence once the new esports coach is hired.  Persons interested in the AU esports should complete the recruiting questionnaire.

Learn more at anderson.edu/esports.

Those interested in esports can sign up here.

Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.

Please contact news@anderson.edu with any media requests.