As more and more universities around the world wake up to the reality of eSports and its vast untapped potential, they are also looking to attract some of the best gamers and eSports fanatics from around the world to join their courses on scholarships. American universities are at the forefront of this wave of eSports scholarships as these educational institutions aim to build solid and competitive gaming teams for different games.
This piece looks at the impact eSports has had on the education system in the USA, especially in terms of how universities are now looking to place gaming at the same pedestal as some of the more traditional sports. And that also includes wooing top gaming talent to their courses on highly competitive scholarships.
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The Growing Demand for eSports
In recent years, the eSports industry has witnessed meteoric gains. With the further development of internet and computing technologies, more and more people around the world now have easier access to the internet and video games.
This has resulted in projections that the eSports market will soon cross $1 billion in revenues by 2020 with an annual growth of 16% per year. It’s also estimated that there are some 495 million fans following the emerging sport, with the majority of audiences coming from populous markets like the United States, China, Brazil and India.
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Dimensions of eSports
With the growing awareness and popularity of eSports, it is normal to conclude that more attention will now be given to the sport as both a serious profession and a field of study.
With more and more players joining the eSports ranks followed by their thousands of fans in support, people are more than ever interested to know exactly what eSports entails, from its origins and development to its current worldwide popularity and everything in between.
The sport has many facets including the numerous teams competing against one another in local, regional and international competitions.
Not to mention, the various sporting personalities including famous players, streamers, announcers and major gaming companies and sponsors; and lastly, the diverse range of games played by eSports enthusiasts including the major titles like Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Fortnite, League of Legends and Starcraft II.
Education and eSports
Like for many modern developments, the United States has been a pioneer when it comes to creating awareness in education – with eSports being no exception.
In order to capitalize on the booming industry’s need for skilled professionals, a number of US universities and colleges have taken the initiative to develop their own eSports departments and providing dedicated degrees and certifications focusing on the sport.
Large colleges that have taken the lead include Virginia’s Shenandoah University, Becker College in Massachusetts, The Ohio State University and Boston’s Emerson College.
High schools too, are now joining the fray, with now more than 100 high schools launching dedicated eSports programs alongside traditional sports classes on soccer, basketball and other sports.
Interestingly this isn’t too different from how quickly things have moved in the UK with respect to offering courses on eSports (more on that in our article here)
Previously, varsity-level competitions were held for years on an amateur level. However, with the burgeoning rise of eSports, more institutions are now adding courses and trainings in order to nurture professionals who will be able to organize eSports tournaments and manage operations behind the scenes – something which remains lacking for many teams and organizations.
Currently, around 50 US colleges have established varsity eSports gaming teams over the past three years – often offering partial scholarships to members.
The Executive Director of the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), Michael Brooks, has stated:
“We’re talking to at least three or four new schools every single day. We did not expect this type of reaction.”
This was in reference to the growing interest shown by various colleges in joining and competing in the association.
According to the Dean of Becker College’s School of Design and Technology Alan Ritacco:
“It’s no longer kids playing games in their basement,” referring to the rising fames and fortunes of star eSports players, some of whom are earning as much as traditional athletes in sports like golf or tennis.
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Scholarship Opportunities
According to the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), currently there are more than 170 member institutions registered with it – including more than 5,000 eSports students-athletes and around $16 million in eSports scholarships.
Big colleges like the University of California, Irvine are now offering scholarships to rising players to encourage them to enroll in their programs – a privilege previously bestowed only for premier athletes.
The university has recently invested heavily in eSports – in 2016, they unveiled a new $250,000 “eSports arena” with the financial support of a host of sponsors including gaming company Riot Games, a video-game maker that organizes collegiate tournaments.
Though the cost of programs varies for each college, the fees in the US can go as high as $36,000 per year.
To offset such high tuition amounts, select universities are now offering scholarships to attract rising talents into their programs – both to improve development as well as to aid their program’s marketing efforts. The scholarship amounts can range anywhere from a few thousand dollars, to partial or even full cover of the cost of tuition.
Usually, schools assess the scholarship amount by hosting tryouts for would-be recipients.
They may also send recruiters or coaches to tournaments to scout for talent early on. Another way is for potential recipients to directly contact a school’s coach/management and request a tryout or interview in order to be considered for a scholarship.
Apart from the aforementioned University of California, Irvine, other major institutions in the US providing scholarships to students include the University of Utah, Robert Morris University (the first university in the US to offer scholarships for eSports), New York University, Stephens College and Maryville University.
As of February 2020, there are now a total of 24 schools in the United States which are offering some form of scholarship for its eSports athletes.
Criticisms and Concerns
Though the pioneering initiatives being taken by a growing number of colleges have earned positive attention and feedback, there are still many people who remain skeptical regarding the legitimacy of eSports and studying it as a scholarly pursuit.
Traditional athletes may feel confused and even hostile at the thought of competitive video gaming now joining their ranks on the rosters of their college teams and even being offered scholarships to do so.
Part of it could be due to the ever-lasting debate if eSports is actually a sport.
Parents too, may worry that the growing sport may be too unconventional and awkward compared to other pursuits. They may also fret regarding the uncertainty of their children’s futures after they have enrolled into an eSports program considering the lack of track record for the previously never heard of education.
Additionally, while colleges may be rejoicing in the growing potential of eSports, some economists have expressed concerns about how video games have been linked to a decline in hours worked for young men.
From the years 2000 to 2015, young men aged 21 to 30 years old trimmed their working hours by 12 percent per year compared to an 8 percent reduction for older men.
Future Prospects
Regardless of how eSports is perceived by others, the sport continues to grow at an accelerated pace and amass larger and larger audiences – both in online events hosted on Twitch, YouTube and other popular platforms – as well as physically in increasingly larger venues.
Universities too, are now being more receptive to the eSports wave. Steadily, the number of universities in the US as well as globally are increasing their commitment to eSports.
They are doing this by
- developing their own gaming teams
- creating dedicated scholarly programs for the sport
- providing increasingly more valuable scholarships in order to woo more players into their colleges and teams.
The end goal for many of these universities is to increase the institution’s chances of success both in competitive play and in increasing fans and revenues for the school.
What’s interesting to see is the amount of scholarships on offer as well.
How much scholarship do US universities offer students for eSports? In general, some of the best scholarships on offer at the global stage come from US universities, with a range of $1000-$10,000. Some universities like the Arcadia University offer $25,000 while Harrisburg University in Pennsylvania even give full scholarship to its students.