{"id":4088,"date":"2022-03-30T14:42:54","date_gmt":"2022-03-30T14:42:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.northcentral.edu\/blog\/?p=4088"},"modified":"2022-04-07T10:55:54","modified_gmt":"2022-04-07T10:55:54","slug":"a-different-kind-of-game-esports-launches-at-north-central-university","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.northcentral.edu\/blog\/a-different-kind-of-game-esports-launches-at-north-central-university\/","title":{"rendered":"A different kind of game: eSports launches at North Central University"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is a new varsity team coming to North Central University in fall 2022: eSports<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Through the North Central Rams Varsity eSports team, students have the opportunity to play video games competitively with teams across the country.<\/p>\n

NCU\u2019s varsity eSports team is the first of its kind in the Twin Cities, offering student athletes the chance to engage in competitive online gaming* while also earning a degree. Student athletes will have a coach and the opportunity to apply for scholarships.<\/p>\n

The first college eSports program in the nation was launched in 2014. Since then, more than 200 colleges have added eSports program to their varsity sports offerings. While the growth is significant, it is still a small representation when considering the thousands of colleges and universities across the country. Being an early entrant into the eSports arena in Minnesota is a key factor in North Central\u2019s decision to launch a program at this time.<\/p>\n

A good fit for the mission<\/h3>\n

Before starting the program, Athletic Director Michael Knipe<\/a>\u00a0’18 and his staff did extensive research and concluded that eSports could flourish at North Central. \u201cWe see eSports as a fit with North Central\u2019s mission<\/a>,\u201d Knipe said. He pointed out that NCU\u2019s focus on creating Christian leaders means that students who are active in this activity that is predominant in youth culture will now have a place to combine their faith with their love of gaming.<\/p>\n

Launching the program with a state-of-the-art gaming arena and embedding a strong work ethic in the new student athletes will be key to the program\u2019s success, according to Knipe. \u201cBy offering a structure and framework for gaming in the context of the academic experience,\u201d Knipe explained, \u201cwe will be able to help eSports athletes to develop holistically. Time spent gaming will be structured and balanced with the same accountability we provide for all student athletes, such as weekly grade checks, team spiritual activities, and connections with coaches.\u201d Athletes in the eSports program will receive coaching and instruction in nutrition, health habits such as sleep, and how these factors contribute to mental agility.<\/p>\n

Vice President of Academic Affairs Jason Wenschlag, Ed.D.<\/a>, sees several ways Christian liberal arts education can support students who engage in online gaming. \u201cA career in electronic gaming can develop in many ways, beyond playing and competing for prizes,\u201d Wenschlag said. \u201cStudents may participate on the marketing side, maybe through computer science and programming, or as an entrepreneur or operations specialist. Regardless of the role, as with any vocation, a Christian liberal arts education can provide those in the electronic gaming industry with the knowledge, wisdom, and faith formation needed to maximize their talents and do great work, love and serve people well, and reflect God’s character in all they do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Blazing a new trail<\/h3>\n

Wenschlag and Knipe are both enthusiastic about the opportunities eSports will provide for the incoming students and for the university. \u201cFor those in the program, eSports represents a unique opportunity to blaze a trail and be the first collegiate varsity eSports team in the Twin Cities,\u201d Wenschlag said, \u201cwith a chance to compete immediately with colleges and universities from around the country.\u201d The students will practice and compete in a state-of-the-art arena designed for eSports, Wenschlag pointed out. \u201cPerhaps most importantly,\u201d he said, \u201ceSports athletes will get a chance to practice and compete in something they are absolutely passionate about, like any other student who pursues a major or extracurricular activity.\u201d<\/p>\n

North Central\u2019s eSports launch has already captured attention from churches and teams locally and nationally, paving the way for potential partnerships, including a megachurch in North Carolina. According to Knipe, the church, which has an established eSports program, reached out to NCU after learning about the new eSports program. The collaboration has great potential for helping with recruitment and providing expanded opportunities for both programs.<\/p>\n

Knipe\u2019s team is having conversations with high schools that offer eSports. All students recruited to NCU to be part of the eSports program will have the same admissions process and requirements as other students. Students will be able to participate in the on-campus program or remotely if they are enrolled in a fully online academic program. In contrast to other sports, the eSports program is unique because it is not limited geographically and there are no age limits or team-size limits.<\/p>\n

The new program also provides opportunities to serve North Central\u2019s urban community. Knipe said the Rams Athletics staff is working with a local coach to possibly develop an after-school program that would allow students from city high schools to use the gaming arena and receive tutoring assistance for their homework from NCU students.<\/p>\n

Enormous potential<\/h3>\n

North Central is not currently part of a specific league but is in the process of joining the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), a nonprofit membership association organized by and on behalf of member institutions.<\/p>\n

As the fastest-growing high school sport in the country, eSports has enormous potential at the collegiate level. \u201cWe want to be the first faith-based institution in the Twin Cities to offer this opportunity to students,\u201d Knipe said. \u201cWe can offer something to our student athletes who are passionate about Jesus and passionate about growing in their purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have always been excited about any opportunity that allows more students to express and develop the gifts, talents, and dreams that God has blessed them with,\u201d Wenschlag noted. \u201cWins and losses matter and any type of special recognition or visibility are great. But if eSports can change the trajectory and life of one student, that is what excites me the most.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

* The term \u201cgaming,\u201d as referenced in conjunction with North Central\u2019s eSports program, refers to video games that are played in a highly organized competitive environment and does not involve gambling of any kind. Source: <\/em><\/p>\n

Harvard: What are eSports?<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Learn more:
\nNCU eSports program<\/a>
\n<\/em>Introducing eSports at North Central University [link to Mike\u2019s video]<\/em>
\nNACE<\/em><\/a>
\nThe rise of collegiate esports programs<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There is a new varsity team coming to North Central University in fall 2022: eSports. Through the North Central Rams Varsity eSports team, students have the opportunity to play video games competitively with teams across the country. 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