Mike Calvert is the president of Pratt Community College (PCC) and has been since 2013. In those 12 years, 8 of them have included an ever-growing esports program. PCC's esports program may have started small, but it has turned into a key part of the college’s growth, both in the classroom and on the competitive side.

Creating an esports program at PCC wasn’t easy. “We started about eight years ago,” Calvert said. “It was a real challenge to find a coach with the right experience and understanding of esports. When we finally brought in a dedicated coach, who focused solely on the program, everything changed.”

With a coach focused entirely on recruiting and training, the program grew quickly. The esports team expanded from just six to eight students to more than 30, with expectations to reach 35 this fall. Initially starting with one game, the program now includes 8 to 10 games.

What began as local recruitment has since expanded nationally and internationally. “Our coach has been reaching out to international students, and we’re now recruiting talent from places like Brazil,” Calvert said. “It’s really exciting to see that mix of local Kansas talent and international players coming together.”

PCC has also developed strong, lasting relationships with local high schools. They’ve even allowed high school esports teams to use the college’s facilities, which has helped with local recruitment. Last year, PCC hosted a State High School Esports Tournament, drawing more than 120 students for a two-day event.

Many PCC esports students pursue degrees in Information Technology, thanks to the overlap between the two fields. By focusing on esports, PCC not only increased enrollment in the program itself but also saw a rise in enrollment in its IT program.

“We’ve had to create separate spaces for esports and IT because the programs are growing so fast,” Calvert said. “It’s a great problem to have.”

PCC offers scholarships to esports athletes, treating them no differently than student-athletes in other sports. “We’re giving them scholarships to help them succeed both in esports and academically,” Calvert explained.

The players spend hours training and competing, but they also develop valuable skills like teamwork and communication. “These kids come in and get acclimated quickly to working as a team. They rely on each other, depending on the game they’re playing,” Calvert said.

The growth of PCC’s esports program mirrors the rise of esports nationwide. Calvert credits NJCAA leaders like Jeff White and Dr. Chris Parker for helping establish a strong collegiate esports structure that provides schools across the country with guidance and resources.

“The NJCAA has been great,” Calvert said. “The growth we’ve seen in esports has been tremendous, and it’s encouraging to see how the NJCAA has made it a priority. Esports gives students who might not participate in traditional sports a chance to compete and earn scholarships. It’s about helping them succeed.”

With the esports program thriving, PCC has big plans for the future. In the next five years, Calvert hopes to continue expanding. “We’re in the process of creating a dedicated space for both esports and IT,” he said. “As the program grows, we’ll need more room and resources, and we’re committed to staying current with the latest technology.”

PCC is also considering hiring an assistant coach to support the growing team and manage the increasing number of games.

“The more we can provide opportunities for students, the better,” Calvert said. “We’ve seen that students involved in activities like esports perform better in the classroom and are more successful overall. The number one thing I’ve learned is that you need a quality coach. You need someone who can recruit and connect with students, not someone who’s juggling teaching responsibilities on top of coaching. Esports is no different from traditional sports. It requires dedicated staff and resources to grow.”

Calvert advises other schools to learn from successful programs, both locally and nationally. He encourages connecting with other schools and asking questions to gain insight. He emphasizes that entering esports shouldn’t be intimidating and sees it as an excellent way to attract students while the field continues to grow.

Offering opportunities, whether through scholarships or dedicated competition spaces, is key. For Calvert, esports is no different than any other sport when it comes to recruitment, giving students a chance to succeed academically and athletically.

PCC’s esports program is a prime example of how esports can provide opportunities for students to grow in various aspects. With a focus on recruitment, teamwork and creating a competitive yet supportive environment, PCC is on its way to continued success in the esports space. As the program continues to expand, esports will remain a central part of the college’s future.