Marquette will be the first Division I program in a major conference to have varsity esports, university president Michael Lovell announced in his annual address Wednesday afternoon.
“Being named after an explorer means it’s in Marquette’s DNA to define the opportunities of tomorrow and ensure we’re anticipating what future students will expect,” Lovell said.
The team will launch in fall 2019 and will have tryouts, coaches and regular practices, just like any of Marquette’s other 14 intercollegiate teams.
Per the Marquette Athletics website, the university plans to build a state-of-the-art esports facility to host the new team with funding from corporate partners and donors.