With the backing of University Recreation, however, he was able to hire three coaches to help guide strategy and grow the program's competitiveness through recruitment and outreach. The club team is student-run and members have to pay dues, so this will ease that burden for members who qualify for the varsity team,' Rattray says, adding there are currently no student scholarships associated with esports. 'It'll be a fully funded program through the department, which is very exciting. The Esports WMU club will remain active for students interested in playing both competitively and recreationally. The new competitive esports teams are not affiliated with Bronco Athletics and will instead be supported by University Recreation. Western's varsity esports teams will represent the University in Overwatch, Rocket League and Valorant competitions in the Mid-American Conference's (MAC) Esports Collegiate Conference (ESC), which is currently in its inaugural year. 'Everyone thinks it's the next thing up, and I'm right there with them.' 'I've talked to some other directors of esports programs from around the state and it's a very bullish atmosphere,' adds Zach Fagerlin, a third-year civil engineering student from Rockford, Michigan, who has been part of Western's Esports WMU club since January 2020. 'I'm very excited about it! Our esports club is in a good place it's time to take the program to that next level,' says Andre Rattray, assistant director of club sports and esports. And Western Michigan University is ramping up its esports presence, adding a trio of competitive teams to its roster. KALAMAZOO, Mich.-It may involve virtual worlds, but the impact of esports is very real: It's a billion-dollar industry hosting tournaments with bigger audiences than the World Series. Students compete in Western's state-of-the-art Esports Arena.

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