RIVER FALLS, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-River Falls announced the addition of Esports as its 18th varsity intercollegiate program, made official by Athletics Director Crystal Lanning on Wednesday, June 1, 2022.
The brand-new Falcon Athletics program will be coed and will have a dedicated Esports Arena ready in the fall of 2022 in the Chalmer Davee Library, preparing to compete at the varsity level during the 2023-24 academic year.
"We are excited to announce the addition of a varsity Esports program here at UWRF," Lanning commented. "Competitive gaming has experienced tremendous growth over the past few years and we look forward to welcoming a new demographic of competitive student-athletes to join Falcon Athletics."
Gallery: (6-2-2022) UWRF Esports Facility Renderings
Esports, also known as competitive gaming or electronic sports, has become popular with students on college campuses across the country. UWRF will become the second WIAC member school to add Esports as a varsity sport, following UW-Stout.
Specific game offerings to Falcon Esports student-athletes and involvement in a national governing body is to be determined.
A national search for a full-time head coach will begin immediately, with the position slated to be hired for the 2022-23 academic year to allow a full year to recruit and build a competitive schedule.
