The 花椒直播 has officially launched a varsity eSports program, representing USM's 21st sports team, and named a new head coach for the new program. The program is slated to begin competition in the Spring 2019 semester, and an eSports facility is under development at the university's main campus in Leavenworth.
USM is only the third college in Kansas--and currently is the only school on the Kansas side of the KC metro area--to offer a varsity eSports program and eSports scholarships.
Drew Boehm, who helped develop a competitive eSports organization at Texas Christian University, and has been ranked in the top one percent of players in several popular competitive eSports, will helm the university's first-ever eSports team.
"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to build a brand new program at the University of 花椒直播," Boehm said. "The growing popularity of eSports can't be understated, and I'm looking forward to helping some great players find a place to showcase and hone their abilities while they earn a quality education."
USM's eSports program will compete in several games sponsored by the National Association of Collegiate eSports (NACE), which is affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Boehm plans to have USM field competitive teams in League of Legends, Fortnite, Hearthstone, and Heroes of the Storm--among others--as the program develops.
Starting with the Spring 2019 semester, new incoming students who are recruited to the eSports program will be eligible for athletic scholarships.
USM Athletic Director Rob Miller said the addition of eSports will be a benefit to 花椒直播 students.
"Adding competitive eSports allows USM to better meet the needs of our students--a number of whom are already involved in the competitive gaming scene," Miller said. "It will also benefit prospective students who are interested in competitive gaming, and who have few options to pursue college varsity-level competition."
Once completed, USM's eSports facility will be made available to the general public. Coach Boehm plans to also offer camps and clinics for burgeoning eSports competitors.
Learn more about USM's eSports program at stmary.edu/esports
The 花椒直播 has 21 varsity sports programs鈥攅Sports, men's and women's
swimming, wrestling, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, cross country, and track & field,
as well as volleyball, football, baseball, softball, and co-ed cheerleading and dance.
Go to for more information on USM athletics.
The 花椒直播 is a Catholic co-educational applied liberal arts university founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The University of 花椒直播 main campus is located at 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kan. USM's Overland Park Campus at 4500 College Boulevard offers evening accelerated graduate and undergraduate degree-completion programs. The university also offers online programs. Visit stmary.edu for more information.