E-Sports Team Transitions to a Student-Led Club

After long consideration, the E-Sports team at Clarke University will no longer be recognized as an official sport and has transitioned to a student-led club. E-Sports members received a message on August 7, 2025, relaying the news. Prior to this, many of the players were eager to start the new season and are left wondering why the change occurred.

E-Sports team at a tournament in 2024/ Michael Pettke

After speaking with the Sports Information Department at Clarke University, they were pleased to provide insight into the many questions students are asking about the program. Starting off, the department spoke about the lack of recruits received for the E-Sports program. Without proper recruitment the team simply is not large enough for the funding the E-Sports team requires. Additionally, the department notices the impact the E-Sports team has on the players, therefore, creating a student-led club so players do not lose the team as a whole.

During numerous interviews, many players agreed, “the E-sports team provided a space for students to engage, become involved, and feel safe when around others with the same interests.” Ultimately, the team atmosphere built a sense of belonging and excitement while attending Clarke University.  

According to some sources familiar with the matter, one of the main reasons for cutting the program was the lack of incoming recruits being selected by the former headcoach of E-Sports. After both coaches left the school, administration took a look at the numbers of incoming recruits and subsequently a decision was made to go forward with a student-led club and no new coach being brought in. The lack of recruitment directly impacted on the amount of revenue brought in through the E-sports team. Overall, the players feel a sense of abandonment, being left with no director and now no longer being recognized as an official team.

Originally, the Athletic Department created the E-Sports team to foster a space for Computer Science, Digital Media Studies, Graphic Design, and Business and Marketing majors. The goal was to provide these students with hands-on experience in marketing their own brand through streaming, networking, and more. The new version of the E-Sports team will be more flexible and open. This way athletes already participating in a sport can join the E-Sports club without the pressure of strict practice schedules and tournaments. The department spoke to many athletes prior to the decision and felt E-sports was creating more pressure for students who already had busy schedules.

The department now has a new plan for the E-Sports team. After partnering with a local E-Sports team in Dubuque, the department hopes this will bring the Clarke E-Sports team new opportunities to interact with the community. For example, volunteering with kids who have an interest in E-Sports and hosting tours with younger generations of the Clarke University E-Sports Club. Creating new connections and with the team transitioning to a club, the Athletic Department hopes to keep the same safe atmosphere as before. However, hoping to return to an official team, many E-Sports players are constructing plans to recruit more players and keep Clarke’s E-Sports intact as long as possible.