PAXTON, Mass. - Anna Maria College is the latest school to launch a varsity Esports program.

The school is looking for players for the fall 2022 season. The program will compete at the collegiate conference and national level starting with the fall semester. Teams of 3 to 6 players work together.

The team will be directed and coached by Zachary Gandara, who is the former director and Esports coach at Providence College.

Gandara said he's happy to see more schools add Esports programs.

“We're retaining a lot more students at the schools and they're having a lot more fun connected to the school, feeling the school spirit, and making friends” said Gandara. “Why would we want to stop anybody from having that experience of positivity and fun that's associated with college in addition to learning?”

The program will initially play Valorant, a teen-rated fantasy simulation of competing superpowers, ghosts, and robots.