The Ashland University esports program recently met with the City of Cleveland's Division of Recreation to assist the department in setting up opportunities in esports for the youth in Cleveland.
The city visited Ashland's esports facility in March to gather information on the facility and the program from head coach Josh Buchanan and assistant coach Travis Yang.
The coaches followed up with a meeting in Cleveland with the Division of Recreation at City Hall and several other esports consultants on June 17 to continue discussions on the next steps for the program's development and its implementation into Cleveland's recreational portfolio.
"I am electrified to use the experience we've acquired coaching the Ashland University esports team to assist the City of Cleveland in making esports accessible to anyone with the desire to play," Buchanan said.
In the future, Ashland University student-athletes could be guest speakers for the new esports program in Cleveland as well. AU could also serve as a site for esports camps held by the City of Cleveland.
The Eagles began competing in esports in the 2018-19 school year with competition in Overwatch, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Hearthstone, Fortnite and League of Legends. The program will add Super Smash Bros. Ultimate to their offerings in 2019-20.
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