GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 31: Boise State football helmet at the Vizio Fiesta Bowl game between the Arizona Wildcats and Boise State Broncos at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 31, 2014 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)

The rise of esports continues, and another university is exploring the option of adding varsity esports teams.

According to a report from ESPN, Boise State will add a dedicated esports team and construct a state-of-the-art computer lab for esports initiatives. At the start of the plan, Boise State expects to have teams competing in popular esports titles including League of Legends, Overwatch, Hearthstone, Heroes of the Storm, and Rocket League. Boise State will join a growing number of universities exploring esports as a member of the National Association of Collegiate Esports.

As of now, esports is not sanctioned by the NCAA, so the NACE operates as the governing body for collegiate esports competition. Other schools that have jumped in on the esports craze include Utah, Georgia State, and Miami, Ohio. A number of other colleges have begun branching out to the esports world as well, and conferences are getting in on the fun too. The Big Ten Network has even aired collegiate League of Legends competition between Big Ten schools.

Soon enough, we will hear arguments for why Boise State should be included in the championship discussion for these major esports college competitions. Unlike in football, Boise State could be on a level playing field.

[ESPN]

About Kevin McGuire

Contributor to Athlon Sports and The Comeback. Previously contributed to NBCSports.com. Host of the Locked On Nittany Lions Podcast. FWAA member and Philadelphia-area resident.