What is esports?
Esports generally means competitive gaming. At Purdue Northwest, esports will be organized, multiplayer, computer and console-based video game competitions that can be viewed by nonparticipants both in-person and online.Â
Why is Purdue Northwest adding varsity esports?
Esports is one of the fastest-growing trends in collegiate athletics and an exploding field internationally. Gaming is an established part of the culture at Purdue Northwest, and adding esports as a varsity program is a natural fit. Esports align with our University goals and STEM initiatives to better prepare students for a future where technology causes rapid changes in the job market. It also provides our Athletics department with the ability to expand opportunities for student-athletes and connect with students who are not engaged in traditional sports.
Why is esports housed under Athletics?
Esports has been described as "competition augmented by technology," and no one at the University does competition better than Purdue Northwest Athletics. Esports are sports of focus, strategy, and skill. Players must be in good physical condition to be in peak mental condition. Game-play strategy is deep, complex, and dynamic, and the mechanics and muscle memory required for each game are incredibly fast-paced. Additionally, team building, communication, tradition, and problem-solving are key attributes during collegiate competitions and they are also strong features of esports matches.Â
Because esports is a varsity program, student-athletes will be required to maintain appropriate training boundaries and a minimum GPA for eligibility to compete. The expectations of esports student-athletes are the same as those for student-athletes in other varsity programs.
Which games will Purdue Northwest esports play?
Purdue Northwest Esports will be playing League of Legends and Rocket League for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year. We have also announced the addition and are currently recruiting for Overwatch, Hearthstone, Super Smash Bros and Call of Duty for the 2021-2022 school year, with other titles being adding on a yearly basis.
How many esport student-athletes will Purdue Northwest have?
Our first year will have approximately 11 students on the varsity team. If you are interested or think you have what it takes to compete on either team, please contact head coach Justin Bragg at Bragg10@pnw.edu
Can a student get a scholarship for playing esports at Purdue Northwest?
Yes, Purdue Northwest is currently working on a scholarship structure for the esports program.
When is the esports season and when do the games typically take place?
Esports is evolving into competitions that begin in August and revolve around the collegiate academic calendar. Our schedule will begin at the start of the academic year and student-athletes will compete through fall and spring with appropriate breaks.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What facilities will be utilized by esports?
Purdue University Northwest will develop state-of-the-art facilities at both the Hammond and Westville campus, featuring 30 gaming units on each campus.
Does the Purdue Northwest esports team travel for competition?
While the majority of events will be online and without travel expense, there will be some opportunities for the Purdue Northwest esports program to travel to competitions and tournaments.
Esports, esports, eSports or E-sports?
It is either Esports or esports. Do not use the hyphen.Â
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Students or prospective students who are interested in becoming part of the PNW Pride Esports team should contact Head Coach Justin Bragg by email at bragg10@pnw.edu or by phone at 219-989-2728. Click here to fill out the prospective student questionnaire.
