WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic University Athletic Department has announced the addition of Esports as a club sport.
 
Esports joins equestrian as PBA's second club sport. The Esports program hopes to begin competition in the Fall of 2024.
 
Jared Stewart has been named the Esports program's first head coach. He is the founder of Video Game Ministries (VGM) which partners with parents, educators, and pastors to provide discipleship for the next generation through video games. Stewart founded the ministry in 2022, developing four partner academies and over 10 partner churches while creating a successful YouTube channel. 
 
"I am so thankful to PBA for not only providing an incredible education but also the opportunity to invest back into the university in this unique way," Stewart said. "As Esports continues to grow worldwide, I am excited to see PBA Sailfish enter the competitive fray."
 
Before founding video game ministries, Stewart worked with South Florida-based Christ Fellowship Church. He served as a next generations coordinator from 2015-21, finishing his service to Christ Fellowship Church as a mission's pastor.
 
"We are excited to join the growing space of Esports," PBA Director of Athletics Courtney Lovely Evans said. "This is another outlet for PBA students to compete while earning their degree. I am thankful we were able to find someone like Jared who has experience tying in gaming with the Christian mission of our institution."
 
PBA's Esports program will practice and compete in a new gaming arena in the base of Rinker Hall. The arena features state-of-the-art equipment, including Alienware PCs.
 
The new club will compete against several other Florida schools that offer Esports, including Florida Southern, Barry, Keiser, St. Thomas, and Full Sail.
 
For more information about PBA's new Esports program, email jared_stewart@pba.edu