ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Roberts Wesleyan University has announced the hiring of Kyler Ribbing as the first electronic sports (eSports) coach for the newly-added varsity program that will begin competing in the fall of 2023.
"Kyler expressed his interest in coaching the game of Rocket League early on after announcing that we would add eSports," said Executive Director of Athletics, Bob Segave. "His knowledge of the game along with his experience in audio-visual production made him a perfect fit for our needs."
Ribbing will specifically focus on coaching the game Rocket League, a team-based game that is a hybrid of driving cars and arcade-style soccer. Rocket League is one of a few games that Roberts plans to play as a part of the new eSports program.
Ribbing has an extensive background in audio-visual technology and gaming. He has been playing Rocket League in a competitive format since the game's release in 2015. In his role with the team, Ribbing will be tasked with recruiting, coaching and helping the setup of tournaments and audio-visual needs for the new program.
"I am very excited to be sharing the skills and team-building with students as the eSports scene grows in the world of professional gaming," Ribbing said. "It is a great privilege to be a part of a sport that is accessible to everyone. I look forward to what the addition of eSports brings to Roberts in the near future."
Currently, Ribbing serves as the Technical Director for the Cultural Life Center at Roberts Wesleyan.