MILWAUKEE (WLCSports.com) – Wisconsin Lutheran College has announced the addition of Esports as its 20th varsity athletics program, effective with the 2022-2023 season, Director of Athletics Skip Noon announced. Noon also appointed WLC graduate Austen Eppen as the program's first head coach.
"We are excited to offer additional athletics programming that will appeal to a new demographic of prospective students," said Noon. "Austen brings a wealth of knowledge in the sport, and hiring an alum as our first head coach makes it even better. We are excited for him to join our coaching staff."
Eppen, a 2020 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran College with a bachelor's degree in sport and exercise science, has spent the last two years as an Esports officer and Rocket League team coach at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Eppen collaborated to build an Esports program, established a Rocket League team, and handled all budget aspects of the team.
A co-founder of the Wisconsin Collegiate Rocket League, Eppen oversaw 210 students across 31 teams, established a following on Twitch and other social media platforms, and connected with other high school Esports organizations. Eppen will complete his master's degree in Athletic Training from UWM in May.
"Esports is a growing community, and I am excited that WLC sees an opportunity for growth in Christian leadership, friendships, and life skills through this new program," said Eppen. "As a recent graduate, I am confident that WLC is well-equipped to start this new program."
A fast-growing, billion-dollar industry, Esports describes the world of competitive, organized, multiplayer online video gaming. Competitors from different leagues or teams face off in the same games that are popular with at-home gamers. At the highest levels, these gamers are watched and followed by millions of fans all over the world, who attend live events or tune in on TV or online, often via streaming services such as Twitch.
