HARTSVILLE, S.C. - Madison Schmidt made history today when she signed to join Coker's esports team as the Cobras first female member.

Schmidt, a pioneer for Coker esports and esports in general, is part of a growing wave of female players participating in competitive esports. The Overwatch league, a professional league created by Blizzard, has 129 players with one of them being female. Additionally, about five to ten percent of collegiate players are female.

"I am very excited to have Madison joining the team," stated Coker's Director of Esports Joseph Rudy. "Not only is she our first female recruit, but she is an amazing player as well. Her competitive experience, in addition to her high skill level, is going to make her a great leader on our team. Madison's in-game rank is Grandmaster, which means she's in the top one percent of all players. She is ready to take the collegiate scene by storm."

Schmidt resides in Beaverton, Ore. and attended Tustin High School, located in Tuston, Calif. After graduating from Tustin High School, Schmidt completed a year at Santiago Canyon College & Portland Community College. She made honors at Santiago Canyon College and was named to the President's list at Portland Community College. Schmidt will be filling the main support position in Overwatch play.

She is the daughter of Tracy & Joel Schmidt and plans to major in biology at Coker.

Madison Schmidt Highlights

About Coker Esports

Gaming is more than a hobby — it represents community, competition, and passion. Accordingly, Coker College is moving to the forefront of collegiate esports with a varsity team under the Coker Athletics department and unparalleled opportunities for students to take their skills to the next level.

Coker College's inaugural varsity esports team will begin DII competition in the fall of 2018. The college is now recruiting talent for the following 2018-19 rosters:

• League of Legends — a competitive, team-based strategy game

• Overwatch — a multiplayer game of modern warfare

• Hearthstone — a fast-paced, turn-based online card game

To learn more, please contact Coker College's director of esports, Joseph Rudy or fill out a prospective student-athlete form.