LCU Announces Esports Team As Part of Athletics Department

Lubbock Christian University is adding to its athletics department, but it might not be a sport you initially think of. The newest program the Chaps are going to participate in is a coed Esports team. It's the 18th program in the universities Athletic Department.

"At LCU our passion is students," said LCU President Dr. Scott McDowell said in a press release. "We come alongside them where they are and assist them on the journey to find their place in this world. Esports is another way to connect with students and to help them to connect to their purpose.  I have a friend who coaches high school football and he says, 'this is a human development program disguised as a high school football program.'  I would say something similar.  Esports at LCU is a human development program disguised as esports."

The Esports team will compete in the Lone Star Conference and will have scholarships as part of their varsity esports program. The other schools in the conference who play varsity esports are DBU, St, Edward's and St. Mary's. The program will have a membership in the National Association of Collegiate Esports and Riot Scholastic Association of America.

That makes LCU and McMurry the only university within a 250-mile radius of Lubbock with memberships to the NACE and the RSAA.

"I couldn't be more excited about adding such a rapidly growing sport to our athletic portfolio," said LCU Director of Athletics Scott Larson. "The number of high school programs in the area continues to expand and we look forward to providing students that participate in Esports a place to continue to compete, as well as to receive a high quality, Christian education."

The LCU Esports team will begin competition play in the spring of 2021. They will compete in both varsity and club programs in an esports arena that is being developed on campus. The teams will compte in Valorant, League of Legends, Super Smash Bros. and Overwatch.