The University of Windsor is putting together what may be the first official university-level competitive intercollegiate e-sports team in Canada.
An unofficial team started last year with more than 250 students from all faculties.
Ph.D. candidate in chemistry, Paul Meister, started it and will lead the official team when it begins in September.
"Our students have been waiting for their chance to compete on the international stage," he said. "I'm excited to finally give it to them with the support of the phenomenal partner ecosystem we've established."
There are more than 200 collegiate esports teams in Canada and the U.S., including at St. Clair College.
Meister hopes a team of ten players will join the Ontario Post-Secondary Esports league and represent the University of Windsor in upcoming international League of Legends tournaments,
A modest investment from Lancer Gaming will help launch the team. It will provide a room in Vanier Hall outfitted with high-speed internet and gaming consoles.
"Esports represents a great way to enhance the student experience and raise the profile of the University across the globe," said director of the Student Success and Leadership Centre, Cindy Crump.
"Esports is not only about computer science and gaming. It also has ingredients of business, marketing, creative writing, visual and dramatic arts, and several other academic areas," said Doctor Chris Houser, the Dean of Science who calls esports activities an "innovative way for the University of Windsor to stand out."
Esports is a billion-dollar global industry with both professional and recreational teams in online gaming competitions. Last year, it had a viewing audience of 443-million.