Kansas City Adds ESports as a Varsity Sport
8/16/2021 10:00:00 AM | General, Athletics
Kansas City Athletics is partnering with the UMKC School of Computing and Engineering to add ESports in 2021
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City Athletics, in collaboration with the UMKC School of Computing and Engineering (SCE), is proud to announce the formation of the Kansas City Roos Esports program. The program will launch in the fall of 2021 and is a current member of the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE). The Kansas City esports program will participate in NACE Starleague competition this fall.
As access to video games grew in the early 2000s, esports, a form of competitive video game play between teams or individuals on computers or consoles, were popularized. An esport program will field teams for individual game titles, similar to specific event competitions in track and field, based upon the strengths of its athletes. Some of the most popular competitive esports in North America include Counter Strike: Global Offensive, League of Legends, Overwatch and Rocket League.
"We are thrilled to partner with the UMKC School of Computing and Engineering on this endeavor," said Dr. Brandon Martin, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics. "This is a true testament to our commitment to support student interest in areas of opportunity. Similar to traditional sports, esports provide avenues to build community, develop critical skills and gain valuable lifetime experiences for students. This will indeed be transformational for our students and campus at large."Â
Current and incoming UMKC students will be recruited to form the inaugural season's squad. Preparations of an esports facility, where practice and competition will be held, are nearing completion within Flarsheim Hall.Â
"We in SCE are excited to partner with Athletics to provide esports as a recognized team sport at UMKC," said Kevin Truman, Dean of the School of Computing and Engineering. "Esports has become very popular in Kansas City, the USA and the world, and UMKC wants these talented student-athletes. The plan is to provide limited scholarships to esports athletes selected for the varsity squad, as they will represent some of the best and brightest talents in this area."Â
Founded in 2016 in Kansas City, the NACE has quickly grown to become the largest association of varsity collegiate esports in the United States. The association currently has more than 200 member schools and 5,000 student-athletes, and NACE member institutions have granted over $16 million in scholarships and aid. NACE has partnered with CSL Esports, Nerd Street Gamers and Mainline to build more opportunities for students and schools across North America through NACE Starleague. NACE Starleague is projected, in its inaugural year, to include nearly 650 institutions, 2,147 teams and more than 14,000 students.
Pertinent information on player recruitment, competition and event schedules, and other details about the program are forthcoming.
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ABOUT KANSAS CITY ATHLETICS
The Kansas City Roos are the NCAA Division I teams of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, providing energy, excitement and a rallying point for campus and community. UMKC, one of four University of Missouri universities, is a public university serving more than 16,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UMKC engages with the greater Kansas City area to promote exceptional student success, conduct impactful research, and elevate our region's economy and workforce while fostering an environment welcoming to all. For more information, visit KCRoos.com or follow us on social media using the handle @KCRoosAthletics. For more information about UMKC, visit umkc.edu.Â
ABOUT UMKC SCHOOL OF COMPUTING AND ENGINEERING
The UMKC School of Computing and Engineering (SCE) is Kansas City's only accredited school for engineering and computer science. Students work with faculty who are recognized nationally and internationally for their teaching and research. With more than $35 million in current research projects, SCE students and faculty are making a difference in the community and the world. Graduates benefit from our location in Kansas City, one of the largest engineering and computing communities in the United States. SCE is home to approximately 1,700 students and 150 faculty and staff. SCE just completed the new $32 million Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise and Research Center, located on the UMKC Volker Campus. Â
ABOUT NACE
The National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) is a nonprofit membership association organized by and on behalf of member institutions and is the largest association of college esports in North America. Together, NACE members are developing the structure and tools needed to advance collegiate esports in the varsity space. NACE colleges and universities collaborate to lay the groundwork in areas such as: eligibility, path to graduation, competition and scholarships. NACE represents the majority of varsity programs across North America.