“We are excited to join the world of eSports, which is a growing trend in higher education, and we are ready to seize this moment and launch a program for this coming fall,” stated Stark. “ESports is yet another route where students can find their way and place in the York College community and be exposed to our Christ-centered mission."
ESports (also known as electronic sports) is an organized, competitive video gaming. The world of video games isn't new and has continued to grow increasingly popular and have come a long way since Pong and Super Mario Bros. The world of eSports has even found its way to ESPN with game developers actively designing and funding tournaments.
The Panthers will compete in the National Association of Collegiate eSports (NACE). NACE is the only association of college and university sponsored eSports programs that promotes the education and development of students through intercollegiate eSports participation.
NACE member schools are dedicated to legitimizing collegiate eSports and providing college students the opportunities to live their passion for competitive gaming while pursuing a quality education. NACE member schools are committed to creating a viable, institution-approved structure to meet the competitive eSports needs on campuses across North America.
This may include programs that are club or varsity (scholarships offered to student-athletes) but the key component is an institutional commitment to the resources needed to legitimize eSports on their campuses.
The Panthers plan to field their first team in the fall of 2021.