Miami University to launch first varsity esports program

Miami University in Ohio, is launching the first varsity esports program to be offered at a top tier US University. Five teams will be created and start competing in the fall of 2016. In addition the University will be offering a nationally ranked digital gaming minor for students to specialize their studies in.

As part of the Miami University’s Year of Creativity & Innovation initiative, Miami University in Oxford, Ohio has announced that the school will be the first top tier US University to offer a varsity esports program to their students.

The University expects to be involved in at least five games and have teams start competing in Fall 2016. All students are encouraged and welcome to try out for one of the teams with more information forthcoming. The games have not yet been identified.

In addition, Miami University will be offering the opportunity to specialize in a nationally ranked digital gaming minor. This marks the first of its kind to be offered. The minor will include an online component open to the esports public and represents the school’s commitment to creating a partnership and opportunities for the students in esports.

Miami University and AIMS, in particular, have some of the most innovative, dedicated, creative students in the country, and our students have their fingers on the pulse of eSports and are engaged with the community. Thanks to their grassroots efforts, this initiative has gone from a student dream to a reality.
-Phill Alexander, visiting assistant professor of composition/professional writing and Heanon Wilkins Faculty Fellow at AIMS.

In January Garnes Vidaregåande Skule – a specialized public high school in announced they will start teaching esports classes in August 2016. The esports subject will be introduced in their core curriculum, as an elective subject. The initiative makes Garnes Vidaregåande Skule the first public school in Norway to put esports in the curriculum with a similar grading weight to Math and Science.