Keiser University is pleased to announce the addition of its 2019 esports club and athletic programs. The initiative began at Keiser University’s Pembroke Pines campus when its College of Advanced Technology’s Keiser Click Esports Club introduced its Overwatch and League of Legends teams.

“We are delighted that the esports clubs have engaged our students in such a meaningful way,” said Keiser University Pembroke Pines campus president Piotr Lechowski. “The valuable competitions require critical problem-solving skills and develop the ability to perform well under pressure. In addition, they promote global interaction and collaboration.”

Keiser University subsequently introduced an esports athletic team. Students who participate in that program will begin competing in the fall of 2019.

“As the esports industry continues to grow dramatically, we are pleased to offer our students the opportunity to develop and showcase their professional video gaming abilities, as the capability can create a variety of academic, social and professional opportunities,” said Dr. Arthur Keiser, Ph.D., Chancellor of Keiser University.

Keiser University plans to build a gaming area at its West Palm Beach Flagship Campus’ Countess de Hoernle Student Life Center. The venue will serve as the home for varsity program matches and practices, while also providing a gaming hub for club and intramural programs.  The area will include up to 20 gaming desktops with Intel Core i7 processors, GeForce RTX 2060 graphic cards, and have dedicated internet lines for swift, uninterrupted gameplay. As Esports competitors from different leagues play the same organized competitive video games that are popular with at-home gamers, their progress can be viewed by millions of fans globally who either attend live events or tune-in digitally with live streaming services.

“The number of people competing in esports has grown significantly over the past three to five years,” said Kris Swogger, Director of Athletics at Keiser University. “We are excited to join this popular sport and provide another outlet for students to compete at a high level.”

One of only a handful of Florida universities offering the program, Keiser University has partnered with the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) to provide a competitive framework. Its athletic esports program will compete as a member in multiple games and offer scholarship opportunities to coeds.

Housed within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics national office, NACE oversees rules and competition for its more than 80-member institutions, which include NAIA, NCAA, and NJCAA colleges and universities.