Cleveland State University (CSU) recently unveiled the city’s first varsity intercollegiate esports program, which is set to launch in the upcoming 2022-2023 academic year. The new program will compete as a varsity sport under the umbrella of the school’s athletics department in Overwatch, League of Legends, VALORANT, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Team tryouts will be held in late July.
“As stated in CSU 2.0, our university-wide innovative growth strategy, Viking Athletics continues to look towards implementing initiatives that help grow enrollment, generate school spirit and differentiate CSU as a beacon institution in Northeast Ohio and beyond,” said Scott Garrett, Vice President and Director of Athletics at CSU. “We are incredibly bullish on the future of esports as a way to recruit new students to CSU and to help create positive stories to share with the community. We look forward to supporting CSU varsity esports within the athletics department framework of services and to leaning on a number of campus partners to position it for long-term success.”
CSU has also joined the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC), which will allow them to compete once they’ve successfully fielded a roster.
“We are thrilled to welcome Cleveland State University to the NECC,” said Jacob VanRyn, Commissioner of the NECC. “From our conversations with their leadership and seeing the commitment the university has for the program, we are confident they will be successful right away. We look forward to welcoming their community and watching them compete beginning this fall.”
(All information was provided by Cleveland State University)
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