Ridgewater to Launch New eSports Activity

HUTCHINSON and WILLMAR, MN – Ridgewater College is introducing a new eSports activity on the Hutchinson campus.

Launching this fall, school officials say the eSports club will give students the opportunity to join competitive gaming teams, participate in tournaments, and develop skills in game strategy, teamwork, and digital media in a newly created gaming lounge.

eSports will run as a “club sport”, similar to Ridgewater’s Clay Target teams.

The only eligibility requirement is to be enrolled as a part- or full-time student at Ridgewater.

Last year, Heidi Olson, Ridgewater Dean of Students, proposed the program to expand student life opportunities for students on the Hutchinson campus. The Hutchinson campus does not have a gymnasium like the Willmar campus, and thus doesn’t host sports like volleyball, basketball and wrestling.

“This is an activity that has grown in recent years,” Olson said.  This school year, more than 100 Minnesota high schools and 2,000 Minnesota high school students participated in eSports clubs and teams.

Ridgewater Nondestructive Testing Technology instructor Sheldon Mackinnon has been hired to coach and launch the new program.