Central Penn College makes it official: Esports is now a co-ed varsity athletic team!

The Knights will compete as a varsity team in the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE). As part of NACE, Central Penn College esports athletes will face off against the association’s 170+ member schools, which include some of the country’s most talented esports programs. Previously, Central Penn fielded an esports club that competed against multiple NCAA Division I and II schools and posted victories.

“We are thrilled to see esports transition to a varsity sport under Central Penn College Athletics,” says Athletic Director Kasey Hicks. “The popularity of esports is ever-growing, and our students are passionate about the opportunities it offers. That’s something we can get behind and support! We’re also excited to have found coaches that can make a positive impact on these students-athletes lives and enhance their colligate experience.”

Central Penn College has named Mikeal Pecot the program’s first head coach. He will be joined by Donald Lewis, who will serve as his assistant coach. Their first official season as an athletic team will kick off this September. The Knights esports team will operate as a co-ed team, opening the opportunity for active students regardless of gender to compete.

“NACE provides the opportunity for us to compete in Rocket League, Overwatch, Call of Duty: Vanguard and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. We have some really competitive players on the team, so I’m excited to see them take on the challenge of facing big universities” says Head Coach Mikeal Pecot. “Our goal as an esports program is to boost these athletes’ critical thinking, teamwork, communication, leadership and confidence through competitive gaming.”

To help launch their esports team, Central Penn College is kicking off a month-long fundraising effort to raise the funds needed to outfit the new team in time for their first competition. To learn more about the campaign called “Opportunities: Press Start” visit CentralPenn.edu/PressStart.

Central Penn College will continue to provide a CPC Gaming Club in addition to the esports team. Both will practice and compete in the college’s Steve Shoemaker Esports Gaming Lab.