‘We want to fill this program’: Seton Hill to launch varsity esports program this fall

Seton Hill track and field athlete Logan Lindenmuth will become a multi-sport athlete this fall.

With the Greensburg university adapting its unofficial gaming club into a varsity program in the coming academic year, Lindenmuth — a rising junior studying computer science — will be among the first official esports players for the Griffins.

“Since I’ve always played competitively … I thought it would be something fun to do,” Lindenmuth, of South Park, said. “I think it was just perfect circumstances more than anything.”

Seton Hill is not the only school seeing growth in gaming.

Robert Obetts, director and head coach of Seton Hill’s esports program, said he has seen the world of esports expand on collegiate and high school levels since the outbreak of the corona­virus pandemic.

“Colleges really started to take a look at (esports),” Obetts said. “In the next three or four years probably, it’s going to be huge.”

Beyond playing esports professionally, Obetts said competing in college opens the doors for a variety of careers upon graduation, including sales, marketing and graphic design for esports teams or leagues.

Obetts said more high schools have competitive esports clubs, leagues and championships now, which helps students and their families understand the viability of pursuing it in college.

“It helps in showing people’s parents that it’s more than playing video games,” he said.

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There are 15 students rostered for Seton Hill’s esports program this fall, which includes teams for League of Legends, Hearthstone, Overwatch, Rocket League, FIFA and Madden NFL.

The competition season starts in September and will run for eight weeks, culminating in a championship tournament. Obetts said his students will meet to practice a few times a week, as well as study game theory and brainstorm strategies to use in competition.

He said students are expected to maintain a 2.5 GPA while competing.

“First and foremost, it’s all about their education,” Obetts said. “I don’t want them to get burned out from practicing and playing, because the education is why they’re there.”

Esports coach Brian Lewis — former coordinator for the gaming club — said he hopes to see the team gain traction and grow in future years.

“We want to fill this program. We want to fill it with quality players,” Lewis said. “I’d like to see the esports program be as big as our sports programs.”

Obetts said Seton Hill “set a great foundation for the program,” but his goal is to roster about 60 players within the next two years.

His greater concern, however, is cultivating a positive team atmosphere and enjoyable competition experience.

“Over the next year, I want to be competitive and successful, but I want everyone to enjoy the experience also,” he said.

Obetts believes the very nature of esports will help unite and bond the new team.

“Esports is great because I have some students who are in traditional athletics and some who aren’t,” Obetts said. “It gives students who normally wouldn’t be involved on campus very much the opportunity to have a better experience.”

Lewis said his ultimate vision is for more people to find a home in esports like he did when he played in his first tournament about 10 years ago.

“Everyone who was at that tournament was a little more like me than a lot of my other classmates,” Lewis said. “It’s always been a community.”