About WKU Esports
The Western Kentucky University Varsity Esports program was approved in May of 2016 by former President Gary Ransdell. It was spearheaded by Dr. Patricia Todd, Brian Kuster, and Robert Unseld. The program started with a League of Legends team and in 2019 added an Overwatch and Rocket League team! We currently have four game titles that we compete in: League of Legends, Overwatch, Rocket League, and Valorant.
We currently have 42 student players, as well as 4 student coaches, and all are offered scholarships from $1,500 a year upwards to $4,000 a year.
Western Kentucky University is positioned to become a founding program in collegiate esports. Our goal is to carry that momentum forward, and we wish to see Western Kentucky University become known as the premiere university for esports in the country. This means providing our players with top of the line equipment, a dedicated esports arena, an excellent coaching staff, and scholarships to attract the best talent in the world. In 2018, we began providing scholarships to team players and plan on opening up even more scholarship possibilities, from our student athlete positions up to student worker positions.
Sanctioned activities hosted and participated within the esports program are open to full time undergraduate and graduate students of the University. The Western Kentucky University esports teams participate in various tournaments including Tespa (Overwatch), the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), Collegiate Rocket League (CRL), College League of Legends (CLOL), and College Valorant (CVAL).
The program has been growing with every passing academic year and continues to proudly represent Western Kentucky University in the growing field of collegiate esports.
The Esports Arena is located in McCormack Hall under the awning on the side of the building.
If you'd like to see more about esports, please feel free to watch these videos created by Dr. Chris Haskell from Boise State University.
What Is Esports?
Why College Esports
Some of the links on this page may require additional software to view.