May 4, 2022

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Joining a growing list of college Esports programs, Holy Family University Athletics will add Esports as its newest varsity level sport in Fall 2022 bringing its program to 15 sports. The Esports program will compete in multiple popular games including League of Legends, Valorant, and Super Smash Brothers.

“We are excited by the upcoming launch of Esports at Holy Family,” said Anne M. Prisco, Ph.D., President of Holy Family University. “While this comes in response to student interest as a campus engagement activity, our varsity Esports team will launch in tandem with an expansion of academic programming, including a new minor in Esports and Gaming Administration. Students with an interest in Esports can now turn their passion into the knowledge they will need to prepare them for one of the hottest career trends.”

“Competitive gaming on college campuses provides an additional outlet for on-campus activities for prospective and current students,” said Holy Family University Director of Athletics Tim Hamill. “In addition, Esports instills many of the lessons learned from competing in traditional sports, including discipline, preparation, strategic thinking, and teamwork. We are looking forward to welcoming our first Esports team this fall.”

Esports, also known as competitive gaming, has become overwhelmingly popular with students on college campuses across the country. Holy Family University’s program will compete in a first-rate Esports facility in the heart of campus. The University is renovating space on the first floor of its Campus Center with state-of-the-art gaming equipment and custom branding to become the team’s home. Construction will soon be underway with an anticipated completion date in August 2022.

In addition to housing the varsity Esports team, the venue will provide opportunities for students to participate in competitive gaming through the intramurals program or to convene for casual gaming.

The Holy Family Esports program will join the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE). Through this organization, student-athletes will compete online against students from other universities and colleges of all sizes in games. NACE is the leading collegiate esports governing body with more than 150 schools from across all three divisions of the NCAA, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, and the junior-college landscape.

Student-athletes in the Holy Family Esports program will be held to the same academic standards as their peer student-athletes who compete in NCAA-sponsored sports. Roster spots will also similarly be based on merit and talent, with tryouts held annually.

Students interested in being recruited for or competing in varsity level competitions can contact Collin Sibilia, Director of Esports, at csibilia@holyfamily.edu or 267-341-3289. Follow us on Discord at @HFUEsports and Twitter at @HFUEsports for more information.

About Holy Family University

Holy Family University is a private Catholic institution located in Philadelphia, PA. Founded in 1954, the University’s mission is informed by its core values of family, respect, integrity, service and responsibility, learning, and vision. The University embraces diversity and inclusion, ensuring a welcoming and accessible learning community for all. Holy Family University educates students in liberal arts and professional studies to fulfill lifelong responsibilities toward God, society, and self. The University is composed of four schools: Arts & Sciences, Business & Professional Studies, Education, and Nursing & Health Sciences. Nestled in the heart of a historic residential neighborhood in the Northeast, the University is just minutes from the excitement of Center City. Holy Family enrolls more than 3100 students at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels at its Philadelphia and Newtown campus locations.

About NACE

The National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) is a nonprofit membership association organized by and on behalf of member institutions and is the largest association of college esports in North America. Together, NACE members are developing the structure and tools needed to advance collegiate esports in the varsity space. NACE colleges and universities collaborate to lay the groundwork in areas such as: eligibility, path to graduation, competition and scholarships. NACE represents the majority of varsity programs across North America.