Texas Wesleyan University is excited to announce that in the fall of 2018, it will field varsity esports teams as a part of its new Esports & Gaming program. Recruitment for players starts immediately.

Texas Wesleyan is the first university in Texas to join the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), and makes the Rams part of a national growing trend in the world of gaming and esports.

“The response we’re getting is incredible,” Dennis Hall, vice president for student affairs, said. “DFW is a hotspot for esports. We are recruiting new students to join the teams, as well as engaging current TXWES students in the program.”

Scholarship tryouts in April

Texas Wesleyan will offer up to 12, $2,000 esports scholarships for players based on performance and game history (in addition to any other financial aid and merit scholarships students may be eligible for). The teams will be coed. Tryouts will take place in early April. Interested players should submit their information here to receive updates and information regarding tryouts. 

The University plans to fill teams for “League of Legends,” “Overwatch,” and “Hearthstone,” and may add additional competitive teams based on student interest.

Eugene Frier, who will head up Texas Wesleyan’s new program, says that, “one of the exciting things about collegiate esports is the possibility to compete in several different leagues for each game, as well as bring on new games based on student interest. The opportunities are almost limitless.”

The University is working to create a practice and competition space in the Morton Fitness Center for the teams to utilize in the fall.

“In keeping with our ‘Smaller. Smarter.’ promise, we are also recruiting students to help run the Esports & Gaming Program and be a part of the launch,” Frier said. “We are recruiting streamers, social media experts, and other creatives who have a passion for gaming and want to help shape the future of this program.”

Students who want to help run the program should contact Eugene Frier, executive director of Esports & Gaming, at ejfrier@txwes.edu.

2020 Vision

The new program falls in line with the University’s 2020 Vision strategic plan to enhance the student experience, as well as support’s its enrollment and retention goals.

“We know that a college education isn’t only about what you learn in the classroom – it is what you learn outside of the classroom, the leadership skills you develop and making lifelong friendships,” Hall said. “We are always looking for new ways to engage students in what they are passionate about, and find opportunities to attract new students to campus. Gaming is going to help us accomplish this.”