Justin Toumberlin Named New Esports Coach at Baker University

BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – On Wednesday, January 19, Athletic Director Nate Houser announced the hiring of Baker University alum, Justin Toumberlin as the next Esports coach at Baker University.

"This is an exciting time for the Baker University Esports team as we welcome Justin Toumberlin back," Athletic Director Nate Houser said. "Justin knows what it means to be a Baker Wildcat and will have a huge impact on our program moving forward. We can't wait to see what the future holds for this program."

Justin graduated from Eudora High School in 2016 and then attended Baker, where he graduate in May of 2020 with a degree in Mass Media. During his time at Baker, Justin was part of the men's soccer team, worked for the Baker Orange as a photographer, an assistant photo editor and as a photo editor for his last two years.

Justin was also a key member of the Baker University Esports team, competing in both Rocket League and Apex Legends. Although he competed in both games while at Baker, Justin continues to play all of the games that Baker offers.

Accolades did not stop there for Toumberlin while at Baker. His senior year, Toumberlin became the first Baker University student in history to be awarded a Pulliam Journalism Fellowship and went on to join the newsroom of the Arizona Republic for a 10-week program. The fellowship offers mass media students real-world experience working with journalists, photojournalists and editors in an urban newsroom.

"I am excited to get started here at Baker," head coach Justin Toumberlin said. "I play all of the games that Baker competes in and I can't wait to help this program find more success moving forward."

The Baker Esports team started competing in the fall of 2019, joining the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE). At the time, Baker was the eighth school in the state of Kansas to join the organization. Other organizations within Kansas include, Kansas Wesleyan University, McPherson College, University of Saint Mary, Pratt Community College, Wichita State University, Central Christian College of Kansas and Ottawa University.

Baker was also be the sixth school within the Heart of America Athletic Conference to add eSports, joining, Central Methodist University, Clarke University, Culver-Stockton College, Grand View University and Missouri Valley College.

In just their first three seasons, the Baker Esports team has already made themselves known across the country. In November of 2020, the Wildcats had Carson Fitzgerald named the National Association of Esports Coaches and Directors Player of the Month. This fall, the Wildcats also finished in first place during the regular season in both Rocket League and Overwatch and advanced into the NECC Playoffs.

Toumberlin takes over the Baker University Esports program that has been led by Toby Ebel for the past three seasons, since starting the program in the fall of 2019.

"We thank Coach Ebel for his help starting this program and his help growing it into one of the top programs in the country," Houser said. "We are excited to see how Justin can continue to move this team in the right direction."

#BakerBuildsChampions