HASTINGS, Neb. – Hastings College is taking on one of the fastest-growing sports in the nation.
“When it comes to this first year is building it,” said Andy Chase, Hastings College esports coach.
Chase has big goals for the school’s first varsity esports team.
“We’ve already had a lot of interest shown on campus,” said Chase.
The program will officially launch in the fall of 2022, but recruiting is well underway.
“Right before we announced this, I went into full coaching mode,” said Chase.
The Hastings graduate said he has been in touch with students from Canada, Washington State, and Wisconsin, as well as kids from St. Cecilia and Central Community College nearby.
“I love local, but you can also find a lot of great students that would want to come to a great program like Hastings College,” said Chase.
This school is the 8th in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) to announce an esports team.
“We all kind of feed off each other actually when it comes to recruiting,” said Chase.
Midland University was the first college in the region to offer esports and Concordia University made the announcement earlier this year, both are Bronco rivals on the field.
“When it comes to esports, we’re all in this together,” said Chase. “We want to see each other thrive.”
Esports will be a club sport at Hastings this year, where Chase said he will start to build a gaming culture.
“There’s only two things that you can control when it comes to games: your attitude and your effort,” said Chase. “So that’s kind of the mentality and philosophy that I want to bring.”
He said it’s about more than just wins and losses.
“Be proud of what you’re doing, be proud of being some of the first students to be a part of this program ” said Chase.
There are scholarships available for esports at Hastings College.
To learn more about the program, or if you are interested in signing up, click HERE.
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