ST. LOUIS – Missouri Baptist University Associate Vice President & Director of Athletics, Dr. Thomas Smith, has announced the promotion of Tyler Lewis from graduate assistant to Interim Head Esports Coach. Lewis will lead the way overseeing the day-to-day operations for the Esports program, which currently offers scholarships and competes in five different games including League of Legends, Fortnite, Rocket League, Overwatch and Valorant.
 
"Tyler has more than earned this opportunity with the time, dedication and unwavering loyalty that he's poured into our Esports program," Smith said. "We're expecting Esports to flourish as we move forward under his leadership."
 
Beginning his time at Missouri Baptist on scholarship with the men's soccer team, Lewis eventually transitioned to the ever-growing Esports program and has been an active member as both a student-athlete and coach ever since.
 
"I would like to thank Dr. Smith and the administration for this opportunity," Lewis said. "I'm really excited for this upcoming season and look forward to leading the guys to success and helping them to see and reach their overall potential."

As a student-athlete, Lewis played Rocket League and Fortnite in their first years of existence at MBU and also added Overwatch to repertoire as a senior. In the Spartans' first-ever Rocket League tournament in 2018, Lewis ushered in the new era with three goals in MBU's win over Gogebic Community College. On the side, Lewis is also an accomplished Call of Duty gamer taking home the first-place prize in Call of Duty – AVGL Trials: Warzone Midwest.
 
In addition to competing, Lewis also served as an undergraduate coach. During that time, he was instrumental in conceptualizing the design and layout as well as equipment for the new Esports facility, located in Muncy Gymnasium. The new training and competition space in Muncy became a reality in Fall 2018.
 
"It was almost a dream come true to see everything fall right into place," Lewis said of the new Esports space. "So many people don't view Esports as a competitive scene and I think that the room helped us change some of that perception."
 
Tyler received his bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Missouri Baptist University in the fall of 2019 along with a minor in Management. He is currently working towards his MBA at MoBap.