June 16, 2025
Ferris State’s esports program gaining in size and stature following success season and conference championships
Ferris State University’s esports team will become a varsity program this fall, following a standout debut season this past semester.
The program last semester celebrated three National Association of Collegiate Esports conference championship teams, including one that advanced to the national tournament in Texas.
Ferris State’s esports program has been growing in size and stature. A roster of more than 100 players in 20 teams competing in computer games on a range of levels.
With the transition to varsity status this fall, the team will begin following structured expectations, including regular practices, workouts, grade-point requirements, and wellness monitoring—mirroring traditional athletic programs.
For the first time, Director Justin Summe will also have the ability to offer scholarships and actively recruit students. Walk-on tryouts will continue at the start of each semester, giving all interested students a chance to join and travel with the team.
Summe is excited about its rapid growth and proud of the team’s accomplishments.
“I have a lot of support here, and I’m definitely blessed to be in this position,” Summe said. “My role is everything—general manager, coach, team dad, production staff. I can really relate to what the students are going through.”
The program is coming off a successful winter 2025 semester.
The team competing playing the League of Legends game earned the NACE conference championship and a 7-1 season record, and the team playing Valorant earned a conference crown with an 8-1 record. The Varsity Rocket League team earned the right to compete in the Playfly Tournament of Champions in May in Arlington, Texas.
“I feel like the club is well supported by me and the rest of the administration staff here,” he said. “I am super proud of what we did last semester and what we’re pushing to do going into the fall. I’m excited to see what we can create.”
The teams compete in Ferris State’s Center for Virtual Learning, in an arena that is the first in Michigan created for esports. They will have matches against Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference institutions and events with other colleges, such as the Ferris-hosted Michigan Bandwidth Bowl.
Besides members who compete on either the Crimson or Gold teams for their respective game, members can also be a part of the Esports Production team, which helps document, create, organize, and host weekly Twitch broadcasts showcasing the players of the Esports club.
The team is always looking for members who have great communication skills for esports broadcasters, written skills for esports communication, and organization skills to host esports tournaments.