Kansas Wesleyan University has named Travis Isbell as its new Esports coach as announced by Vice President and Director of Athletics Mike Hermann.

“In Travis, we were fortunate to find an Esports coach that has experience building a successful program from his time working with St. Thomas University,” Hermann said. “He has a genuine passion for Esports and I believe his passion and expertise will draw students to our university. During this critical time that the sport is evolving, you want a head coach that can keep the university on the cutting edge of Esports and I believe Travis can help us do that.”

Isbell comes to Kansas Wesleyan after serving as the Esports coach at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Fla., helping launch the program there.

He also has served as the interim coach for Frostbite Gaming since May 2018.

Additionally, Isbell has spent time in Korea working as a games journalist and analyzer at Gosugamers.

Coming to Kansas Wesleyan interested Isbell because of its long-standing tradition in the collegiate Esports world, being one of the first varsity programs in the country and a founding member of NACE, the National Association of Collegiate Esports.

“Collegiate Esports has grown exponentially in the last two years, and KWU has certainly been at the forefront of that collegiate development,” Isbell said.

He inherits a program at KWU that has experienced success in the past, but is currently going through a rebuilding process.

“I am overjoyed that Kansas Wesleyan has chosen me to lead their Esports program. We have large goals that we are looking to achieve with the addition of new players, the development of new facilities and the application of a new competitive roster that will take the competition by storm,” Isbell said. “KWU will continue to lead the collegiate Esports scene. With my help and guidance, I look forward to its future growth and development. Kansas Wesleyan will become a beacon to other schools of how Esports can change the culture of a university for the better.”

Isbell holds his undergraduate degree from Fresno State and is working towards completion of his master’s degree from the University of Southern California.