Feb. 4, 2022–Luke Theis has been named director and head coach of Griffon Esports at Missouri Western State University. Theis has served as interim director since September.
“Luke has been an important part of the Griffon Esports program from the beginning, and has provided outstanding leadership over the last several months,” said Theresa Grosbach, interim director of athletics. “I’m excited that he’s accepted the position on a permanent basis, and know that he will continue to lead our program to new heights.”
“I am beyond excited to continue the work we started with the esports program,” Theis said. “In 2015, when I stepped on campus as a student, I hoped one day Missouri Western would have an esports program. Never would I have thought I would be in this position today. I am honored to provide students an opportunity to pursue their passion of gaming and assist them on the journey to get their degree.”
Under Theis’ leadership as interim director this fall, several Griffon Esports varsity teams have had competitive success:
- The Overwatch team advanced to the semifinals of the Peach Belt Conference Championship in Florence, South Carolina, the first postseason appearance and first in-person event in the brief history of the Griffon Esports program.
- The League of Legends team won the ECAC Pink Division Championship with a 3-1 victory over Bloomfield College in the championship match.
- The Fortnite team reached the ECAC Semifinals, finishing 9th out of more than 50 teams competing.
Griffon Esports has also continued efforts to build connections with the campus and the St. Joseph community. The program has hosted events for Big Brothers Big Sisters and the YWCA Choices and Decisions program, and assists with esports programs at St. Joseph Parks and Recreation, Central High School and LevelUp Arena in Overland Park, Kansas. In 2021, Griffon Esports produced two 24-hour live stream events in a partnership with Extra Life, raising a total of more than $5,200 for the Children’s Miracle Network.
As the graduate assistant, Theis led Coaching Coaches, a program that equipped student coaches with the tools to coach varsity teams. He also coordinated the summer youth camp last July.
Theis was a punter on the Griffon football team as an undergraduate. He received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology in 2020, and is in his second year in the Master of Applied Science-Sport and Fitness Management program.
Missouri Western launched its team-based competitive video gaming program in Fall 2020. Missouri Western has also added an Esports Management concentration to its Recreation Sport Management major.
The Griffon Esports Arena in the Blum Student Union is open to all students, faculty and staff six days a week. It was dedicated on March 4, 2021. To celebrate the first anniversary, the arena will host a Griffon Esports Experience for prospective students this March 4.
For more information on Griffon Esports, visit missouriwestern.edu/esports/,
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu.