Pennsylvania's Edinboro Univ. Creates Varsity Esports Program

Pennsylvania-based Edinboro Univ. is "making a push" in esports with the creation of a "new varsity program, with both men’s and women’s teams," that will be a member of the National Association of Collegiate Esports, according to Bill Schackner of the PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE. Edinboro is "known for academic studies in game design, animation and virtual-world development." School officials said that a tie-in with esports "will give the campus an added recruiting edge." Edinboro named Chris Rhodes, the school's swim coach, to the newly created position of Esports Dir. Rhodes said of the new program, “It puts us at the forefront. This is an up-and-coming global sport." Rhodes said that Edinboro "can accept professional gamers as long as they are enrolled as a student in good standing." Planning for a campus venue is "underway." Edinboro's esports program will be the "first in Western Pennsylvania" (POST-GAZETTE.com, 9/17).

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