The Point Park Esports team will have their first active season for the Fall 2020 semester. 

In December of 2019, Point Park University unveiled the newest addition to the athletics department as the eighteenth varsity sports team on campus. 

“Point Park University is a leader in growing the gaming industry in Pittsburgh and our region,” said Director of Athletics John Ashaolu in an interview with Point Park Sports.  “Point Park staged a major esports tournament in Pittsburgh, and has offered courses and programs on the business of esports. The next logical step for the University is adding an esports team to our varsity sports programs,” Ashaolu said. “We continue to try to find new ways to engage our students, and tapping into the growing popularity of esports is bound to create excitement among both current and prospective students.”

Associate Athletic director and Director of Athletic Communications Kevin Taylor thinks that esports will change the sports scene at Point Park for the better. 

“It’s another opportunity for student-athletes to have a college athletics experience and be a part of everything that entails,” Taylor said. “From being a part of a team, learning and growing your knowledge and skills and getting involved in a growing industry of esports are just a few of the things that we are looking forward to.”

The Esports team will be run by Chris Gaul, former head coach of Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA).

“Chris Gaul quickly emerged as the number one candidate during the search for our head esports coach and compliance coordinator,” said Ashaolu. “His experience as the head coach at Northern Virginia Community College, where he started the program from the ground up, has prepared him to be the architect of our new program.” 

“I plan to grow and develop a full-fledged varsity Esports program that will compete at the highest level,” said Gaul in an interview with Point Park Sports. “I aspire to put Point Park on the map as an esports powerhouse and the go-to esports program for many student-athletes.”

Gaul said he has big expectations for the team this season, and is looking to make an impact right out of the gate. 

“I am most excited to get the students together and get the season started,” Gaul said. “As our first season, the expectations are in a unique spot overall, but this also allows us to grow and develop our talent over time. The ability to mold fresh talent is huge for us and an opportunity that we are embracing with open arms. “

Tryouts for the Esports team will be held on September 5-6 for rocket league, and September 12-13 for the first round of League of legends, and September 19 for the second round.  

“We have recruits from all over the country who have come here to represent Point Park Esports,” Gaul said. “That said, we still have positions on the teams available to current and new Point Park students who are interested in playing or being involved in the program.”