By Miki Canak in Arts & Entertainment, Campus News, College Days, Sports, Student Life on May 5, 2025
Red Hawks complete final touches on cutting-edge arena as they gear up for their first competitive season
Andy Sotter, Ripon College’s first-ever Director of Esports, is excited to lead the college’s newest program.
“I was first introduced to Ripon when I was about eight months old in June of 1993, and I had a Ripon College sweatshirt when I was in second or third grade. I had no idea that the sweatshirt would represent a very important part of my life moving forward,” Sotter said.
As part of Ripon College’s athletic department, he looks forward to building an inclusive and competitive culture for the esports team.
The Ripon College eSports arena will be located in the Nest in Bovay Hall, overlooking Hopp Stadium. Photo courtesy of Miki Canak.
The Red Hawks will play against teams in the Wisconsin Esports Conference, and eventually in the state championship for various titles in Rocket League, Overwatch, Smash Smash Bros. Ultimate, Valorant, Mario Kart, and Marvel Rivals.
Sotter previously began a team with a group of students and coached League of Legends for high school students in Vail, Colorado.
“That was my first experience, and I absolutely loved it. I am hoping we can get a League of Legends team here quickly because that is my specialty,” Sotter said.
Competitions for different games are held during separate seasons, so the team will be hosting tournaments from August to May in the on-campus esports arena housed in Bovay Hall, overlooking Hopp Stadium.
“To attract top players, we were able to get top-of-the-line equipment, like our Aurora R16 computers with 4080 graphics,” Sotter said.
The arena holds 15 Alienware computers, multiple Nintendo Switches, Xboxes, and PlayStation 5s, and esports equipment is on lease, meaning freshmen who join the team will have updated equipment by their junior year. The team will have access to a locker room and a conference room.
“Ripon College is committed to supporting esports as the program continues to evolve, and we want to ensure the technology grows with our students,” Sotter said.
The team is set to begin with about 30 students and is actively recruiting current students interested in esports.
“Ripon has a substantial gaming culture, and if anyone is looking for a team that wants to compete, I encourage them to reach out to me,” Sotter said.
Students interested in competing can reach Sotter by email: [email protected]