Bloomfield College Launches Video Game ‘Esports’ Program

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The world of competitive “Esports” is coming to Bloomfield College.

Esports – or competitive video gaming – is now followed by millions of fans across the globe and is an “explosive billion-dollar industry,” CNN News reported earlier this year.

Beginning with a soft launch in January, the college will launch an Esports program led by Student Affairs and Athletics, administrators recently announced. Under the new program, Bloomfield College will become a member of the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), the governing body for Esports.

The college’s Esports program will officially launch in spring 2019, administrators said.

“We are extremely excited about the introduction of Esports at the college,” Vice President For Student Affairs Patrick Lamy said. “This program will not only enrich campus life, but also attract a new population of gamers to our institution and our Game Design program.”

• See related article: Bloomfield College Student Nabs Video Game Scholarship

According to administrators, positions on the Bloomfield College Esports roster will be “competitively available” to all interested students, both incoming and returning. Among other qualifications, students on the roster must meet eligibility requirements including full-time enrollment, and must make progress toward degree requirements.

College administrators touted the new program as a teaching tool:

“Through participating in competitive Esports teams, students learn the same skills as other sports, including leadership, communication, perseverance, and determination. Bloomfield College's Esports program will include three teams consisting of up to six players per team. The teams will share a head coach and assistant coach, and the teams will compete with teams at other institutions. The college also plans to partner with high schools that have Esports programs, making scholarship opportunities likely in the near future.”

"I am thrilled Bloomfield College will now add Esports to our athletic programs," Athletic Director Sheila Wooten said. "We have identified Esports as an untapped area of student interest and with our high-ranking Creative Arts and Technology academic program, it was a natural fit."

Students interested in learning more can email Student Affairs at saffairs@bloomfield.edu.

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Photo: Bloomfield College