Esports

Michigan's Albion College to Add Esports

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 07/01/20

Albion College in Michigan plans to begin competitive esports for the 2021-2022 academic year (along with wrestling, both men and women's). The school has already begun a search for a coach to lead the esports program, and recruitment of athletes is starting too.

The institution reported in a press release that it hadn't decided which esports conference to join, although for its other athletics, the college participates in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). Recently, the MIAA hosted its first Rocket League tournament, which was held as a remote competition. Albion College wasn't part of the roster, but six other Midwest independent colleges and universities did compete.

"Albion College is always striving to provide a great educational experience, and athletics is part of that experience," said President-Elect Mathew Johnson, in a statement. "With men's and women's wrestling as well as the rapidly growing esports, Albion will provide more opportunities for all those students who wish to participate."

"It's a real big deal," added Erik Braun, Albion assistant athletic director. "And it's an even bigger deal to do something bold like this during COVID-19. At the end of the day, we've seen this trend before COVID as many schools are experiencing declines in enrollment. What better way to turn it around than to offer activities that are important to students?"