Point Park University will take a plunge into the gaming world next year when it adds a varsity esports team to its athletics program.
The university announced Monday that it has begun recruiting for an esports team that will compete in the National Association of Collegiate Esports beginning in fall 2020 semester.
According to the university statement, athletic scholarships will be available.
“Point Park University is a leader in growing the gaming industry in Pittsburgh and our region,” said John Ashaolu, Point Park’s director of athletics in a statement. “Point Park staged a major esports tournament in Pittsburgh, and has offered courses and programs on the business of esports.
“The next logical step for the University is adding an esports team to our varsity sports programs,” he said. “We continue to try to find new ways to engage our students, and tapping into the growing popularity of esports is bound to create excitement among both current and prospective students.”
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In May, the university hosted the Steel City Showdown, a multi-game esports tournament that featured cash prices. Hundreds of spectators and gamers alike gathered at the university’s Pittsburgh Playhouse for the tournmanet, which featured competitions in “NBA 2K19,” “NHL 19” and “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.” Point Park hosted the event in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Knights, the city’s professional esports team, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Cavs Legion GC, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ professional NBA 2K League franchise.
According to the university, its Rowland School of Business offers a class called The Business of Esports, which is taught within the Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management Program.
First Published: December 9, 2019, 4:21 p.m.
