Northwestern College Athletic Director Earl Woudstra announced that Cole Prescott as been named head coach of the Red Raider esports program. The esports program boasts a roster of 22 students after their first semester as a club sport and competes in Overwatch, League of Legends, and Rocket League.
“It is exciting to share that Cole Prescott will become the head coach for Northwestern College esports,” commented Woudstra. “Cole is a 2019 graduate of Northwestern and will be taking on the challenge of growing the esports program from club status in 2019-2020 to varsity competition in 2020-2021. Cole is a great fit for this role as he understands the mission of Northwestern College and has a vision for how participation in Red Raider esports can provide a great environment for our students to enjoy competitive gaming, pursue excellence in the classroom, and live out their Christian faith.”
Prescott is a 2019 Northwestern graduate and was a member of the inaguaral club season for the esports program. Cole predominantly played on the Overwatch team but was engaged with the whole program throughout its first year.
“I am incredibly honored to take on the role of the first head coach of esports at Northwestern College,” commented Prescott. “I have experienced first hand the quality of Northwestern’s faculty and staff. Their influence has had a profound impact on my life, and I am very excited to join them in the mission of encouraging students in the pursuit of their passions and the development their faith.”
Dan Swier will step down from his position as co-director of the esports program while Ben Karnish will continue to stay on staff as the athletic department supervisor of esports.
“I am grateful for the work that Dan Swier and Ben Karnish have put in to launch this new program at Northwestern,” commented Woudstra. “They have laid a good foundation, begun the process of creating a structure, and worked well with our computing services department to create an arena for our esports students to train and begin competitions. Ben will continue to provide guidance to Cole and the esport program as the supervisor and director of the program as a new addition to Red Raider athletics.”
Cole and his wife Jamie live in Orange City and Cole will continue to work at Interstates in Sioux Center, Iowa while he assumes his coaching responsibilities.
