Indiana Tech to offer eSports scholarships in 2017

Indiana Tech is taking its electronic sports initiative to a new level in the fall of 2017 as it will launch a varsity eSports program and begin offering students scholarships to compete in League of Legends and Hearthstone. Twenty-five to 35 scholarships will be made available, and it is possible that more online games will be added in the future.

In ramping up its eSports program, Indiana Tech, a founding member of the Collegiate eSports Association (CESPA), hopes to become a top-tier Division I power. The university will have an opportunity to compete against university programs from Robert Morris, Pikeville, Ohio State, British Columbia, Georgia Tech and Texas A&M. Indiana Tech, has been a leader in the eSports environment; it is the first university in Indiana and one of the first universities in the nation to offer gaming scholarships. In addition, the school is creating a new eSports gaming arena on the second floor of Andorfer Commons. Tech currently has two CSL club teams that compete in Division II and Division III.

“eSports is becoming one of the fastest-growing collegiate team activities in the nation and we want to develop a highly competitive program that brings quality individuals to our community,” said Dr. Daniel Stoker, Indiana Tech Vice President for Student Affairs. “Elevating this program to the scholarship level allows us to be on the leading edge of collegiate eSports and engages the students in a productive and meaningful activity beyond recreational play. We are very excited to offer these opportunities as another entry point so that students are able to experience all the wonderful things about our university.”

Indiana Tech’s state-of-the-art gaming arena will be equipped with high-end gaming PCs, chairs, lighting and graphics. This arena will be instrumental to building the eSports program, as most team practices and matches will take place in the space. It is expected to be completed in late October 2016.

The school’s eSports program will be overseen by eSport coordinator, Kyle Klinker, who can be contacted via email at klklinker@IndianaTech.edu, or by phone 260.422.5561, ext. 2147. Those interested in learning more about Indiana Tech’s eSports program are invited to its Oct. 28 recruitment day at the Fort Wayne campus. Information about the eSports program can also be found on the Indiana Tech website at esports.indianatech.edu.