“The general feeling of the Board of Trustees is that athletics are a very important
part of the college experience at Kishwaukee College. For many years, trustees have
encouraged increased opportunity for in-district student athletes to continue participation
in their chosen sports post high school,” remarked Bob Johnson, board chair. “Under
the leadership of Athletic Director Scott Kawall, Kish will now offer nine sports.”
By Fall 2020, Kish will offer men's baseball, men's basketball, women's basketball,
men's bowling, women's bowling, men's cross country, women's cross country, coed Esports,
men's golf, women's golf, men's soccer, women's soccer, women's softball and women's
volleyball for a total of 14 teams playing nine different sports.
“Over the last three years, Kish has increased its in-district student athlete population
from 21 percent to nearly 60 percent. There is a real value to participating in intercollegiate
sports that offers a new dimension to the college experience. We are proud to continue
to expand athletics and recruit local talent,” said Dr. Laurie Borowicz, president
of Kish. In 2016, the College had three athletic teams with 48 student athletes participating.
With the addition of golf, bowling and Esports for Fall 2020, the College will have
14 teams with a projected 160-170 student athletes.
“The recommendation to expand our athletic offerings was based on current student
interest,” explains Michelle Rothmeyer, vice president of student services. “We have
an active Esports and gaming club already on campus, and the area has a vibrant gaming
community. There is also high involvement with golf and bowling in the local communities,
and we believe our local students would be eager to participate in these sports at
the collegiate level.”
Ben Holda, president of Kish’s Esports and gaming club, is “ecstatic” about Esports
becoming an official sport at the College. “I am happy Esports is being taken seriously
and is being legitimized as a sport. I hope this brings greater cultural awareness
to the gaming community,” commented Holda.
Growing in popularity, Esports are competition involving video games. Similar to participation
in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), Kish’s Esports team will
also participate in the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) along with
NJCAA.
Critical thinking, split-second decision making, strategizing, cooperation and team
building are a few of the skills developed through Esports reports Holda and two other
members of the Esports and gaming club, Jonathan Kurtzman, current vice president
and Tyler Hill, former president.
To participate in the new sports, student athletes will need to meet the same requirements
as the current intercollegiate sports. Students will need to be enrolled full time
at Kish and meet certain GPA requirements to compete.
Photo: Kishwaukee College’s Board of Trustees vote to add bowling, golf and Esports
to the athletic offerings next fall. Pictured: Students in Kish’s Esports & gaming
club compete against one another during a club meeting.