Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Bismarck State College Adds Varsity Esports, Offering Scholarships

  • 07/25/19

BISMARCK, ND – Bismarck State College (BSC) Athletic Director Buster Gillis recently announced that BSC is entering the rapidly growing and competitive world of esports (electronic sports) by launching a varsity Mystics esports team this fall. The college is actively recruiting gamers to fill the 2019-20 roster with 50 $1,000 scholarships.

“Gaming is mainstream and implementing a team on campus allows us to bring those who may not always become involved in a sport or campus organization together,” says Gilliss. “Esports is a means for BSC to attract students, celebrate a diversity of interests on our campus, and invest money to benefit even more of our student body.”

ESports gives students access to a unique technology environment and complements a number of academic programs on campus such as web design, computer science, cybersecurity, and mass communications. The strategy leveraged by gamers is relevant to the skills employers are looking for—team play, strategic thinking, problem solving, and an ability to handle stressful situations.

“We know students who are engaged in extracurriculars do better academically and socially,” says Gilliss.

BSC is a member of the newly formed National Junior College Athletic Association Esports, the governing body for junior college esports, and the Mystics program will be led by coach and advanced gamer Casey Mischel of Mandan, ND.

Student players will be chosen for the team based on their rank and score history in four games: Overwatch, League of Legends, Heatherstone, and Fortnite, and the Mystics will compete against teams from Dickinson State University, University of Jamestown, and Minnesota State University Moorhead, as well as other NJCAA schools across the country. The collegiate esports season culminates in a national championship tournament, similar to other collegiate athletics.

“This is a win-win for BSC and we’re excited to launch this especially as the momentum is building in the high schools,” says Gilliss.

This fall, 16 North Dakota high schools will have sanctioned esports teams.

Students interested in competing in the 2019-20 Mystics esports season can complete the online recruiting form at bismarckstate.edu/esportsrecruit.

Featured

  • University of Illinois Moves Forward with College Sports’ Largest Digital Scoreboard

    The University of Illinois in Champaign, Ill., recently announced a series of upgrades to Gies Memorial Stadium that will include the largest scoreboard in college sports, according to a news release.

  • Illinois State University Breaks Ground on College of Fine Arts Transformation

    Illinois State University in Normal, Ill., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts transformation project, according to university news. The series of new constructions and renovations will upgrade spaces in Centennial East, the Center for the Visual Arts, and the Center for the Performing Arts, as well as replace the existing Centennial West facility with a new Commons Building.

  • Wisconsin District Breaks Ground on New Elementary School

    The School District of La Crosse in La Crosse, Wis., recently broke ground on a new elementary school that will consolidate the students and staff of two existing schools, according to local news. Funding for the school comes from a $53-million referendum approved in 2024.

  • Houston-Area High School Breaks Ground on 117,000SF Multi-Use Facility

    North Shore Senior High School, part of Galena Park ISD in Houston, Texas, recently broke ground on a new multi-use facility for student extracurriculars, according to a news release. The North Shore Multi-Use Facility will include dedicated practice and training space for the school’s athletics and fine arts programs.