Welcome to Saints Gaming: Canada's First Varsity Esports Program

This article offers an illustration of Canada's first varsity esports program at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario. Collected through participant observation and interviews with esports student-athletes, the fieldwork conducted during this research shines a light on the demands faced by the varsity student-athletes of St. Clair College. Furthermore, it investigates the role of student-athletes in developing new institutions within the varsity esports field. The findings offer an illustration of practice and competition for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Fortnite , among other titles. Utilizing a conceptual framework adopted from neo-institutionalism, the author discusses instances of institutional agency expressed by participants, whereby players successfully altered their program requirements. The article contributes to ongoing discussions about barriers faced by those in North American varsity esports programs by illuminating their everyday experiences. It concludes with recommendations for Canadian varsity esports institutions aiming for a more equitable future for players.