Michael Swisher still remembers the first time he witnessed his fellow University of Utah students roar during the “third-down jump” during a football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The senior now hopes some of that enthusiasm will carry over to his team.
Swisher was one of 33 U. of U. students named to the school’s new varsity esports team — the first college-sponsored competitive video gaming team among the Power Five athletic conferences.
“It’s an incredible situation for us,” Swisher said Wednesday as officials unveiled the roster for their inaugural season. “I can’t wait to work with all my teammates, to bridge that gap with mainstream sports and esports.