Ready, Set, Game: MATC Launches Esports Program

MILWAUKEE (March 5, 2025) – Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) has launched an esports program slated to compete against other state schools in the Wisconsin Esports Conference (WEC).

Esports, short for electronic sports, refers to competitive video gaming where players and teams compete in leagues across various game titles. Esports encompasses a wide variety of genres, with some of the most popular being Rocket League, Valorant, Super Smash Bros. and Overwatch 2.

MATC will soft launch its varsity esports program this Spring, starting with tryouts within the existing student body to form teams for a shortened competitive season. The program aims to field teams in each of the four game titles mentioned above, with the flexibility to expand based on student interest. This initial phase will help establish a strong foundation, allowing students to engage in competitive play while shaping the program’s future direction.

“In the Fall, the MATC program may compete under the aegis of the National Junior College Athletic Association , which supervises all of the Stormers’ other sports, in addition to the WEC,” said Travis Mrozek, MATC’s assistant athletic director.

“We believe this is a great opportunity for students who may or may not have considered college athletics to have the collegiate athletics experience,” said Randy Casey, MATC’s athletic director. “Gaming crosses all demographics and allows students to participate in a team while they pursue their future careers.”

Many colleges and universities have programs to develop gaming skills and offer scholarships to skilled players. MATC is the only two-year college in the state to offer an associate degree in Computer Simulation and Gaming.

“Gaming has broad appeal to students and the community,” said Erich Zeimantz, MATC’s director of student life. “Offering a two-year college option to compete at the college level opens new pathways for students.”

MATC Is Recruiting Players
MATC is actively recruiting esports players to join its newly launched varsity program for students. Are you exceptionally skilled at a video game? Have you dreamed of being part of a competitive esports team? Tryouts are happening soon. Interested students can email stormerses@matc.edu.

MATC Expanding Athletics Programs
Adding esports is part of the Stormers’ effort to elevate their athletic programs in response to student demand. This expansion also supports MATC’s efforts to increase enrollment, which has increased over three consecutive years. In 2018, the college moved its men’s and women’s basketball teams from NJCAA Division III to Division II. Now all of the college’s sports teams compete in Division II.

In 2023, the Stormers men’s basketball team won the college’s first national championship, and in 2024, the women’s volleyball team reached the national tournament for the first time in school history.

And, in January 2025, the college announced its intent to lease a new athletic training and event facility in Deer District co-developed and co-owned by J. Jeffers & Company and the Milwaukee Bucks. Construction is slated to begin summer 2025.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.