esports

The institution offers scholarships to qualified students, and was the first school in Stark County to have a program that offers scholarships to its students. Students that participate in varsity level teams for League of Legends, Overwatch 2,  Rocket League, Super Smash Bros.: Ultimate, and Valorant are eligible to receive a scholarship. Students are also required to maintain a GPA of over 2.5 and not be under academic probation.

We have built a state-of-the-art, dedicated esports facility right on campus. The space is intended to be a home for esports on campus, and a place where the esports community can prosper. The center is outfitted with custom Respawn Gaming chairs embroidered with the UMU Esports Logo. The Esports Center also includes a Varsity Players Lounge intended to be used for strategy and reviewing game film. The entrance to the facility is the back of the old Family Dollar building on the corner of Union and State.

See a quick tour of the Esports Center. 

Austin “AJ” Digby, director of esports, is a long-running member of the Purple Raider family. Digby earned both a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science and a Master of Education degree in athletic coaching from Mount Union. He is a five-time NCAA National Champion in track and was a two-time member of the United States Paralympic Team. Earning a minor in coaching during his undergraduate tenure, Digby has served as an assistant track coach at Marlington High School since 2022. 

AJ found his passion for the competitive gaming field through Rocket League. “I immediately fell in love with G2 for their style of play, so synchronous in their movements and passing that it was mesmerizing. I am enjoying getting to utilize my coaching background for use within our esports teams. Putting studies into real-world use; whether that is psychology or in-game tactics to aid in the emotional rollercoasters of a match, or teaching the in-game tactics, mechanics, and intricacies of a game to promote a high level of team play and communication.” While  wishing he had joined the team during his undergraduate experience at Mount Union, AJ is excited to be at the forefront of the successful program.

“As a Purple Raider, we are all a part of one big family and the esports team is no exception. There are plenty of opportunities for students to join our family as a player in one of our five games, by joining the production crew managing the streams, or as an announcer.”