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E-Sports becoming popular with universities


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E-Sports, or electronic sports, is a multi-billion dollar industry that has seen viewership on par with the NFL and NBA.

Developers and organizations across the globe have taken increased measures to tap into the video game industry. That also includes universities.

KHQA's Jett Beachum details how one Tri-State college has opened its doors to competitive players to embrace one of the world's fastest-growing enterprises

Inside the Brown Residence Hall on the campus of Culver-Stockton is a state of the art facility housing some of the most technologically advanced systems on the market.

It's here where players train and compete day in and day out for a new type of sport - E-Sport.

“While it’s in season, I probably spend about 40 hours a week, actually playing and practicing, on top of a full school schedule,” said Luke Keller.
“It’s a massive part of our entertainment industry and collegiate eSports is something that will always be on the rise,” says Keller. “Basically, every state university this year is going to open up an esports program and they’ll be actively recruiting.”

That’s exactly what has happened at Culver-Stockton , what began as a small group of students meeting up to play video games has since blossomed into a competitive varsity program with scholarship players, joining over 130 other schools across the country that have added programs since 2014.

“You know, we can’t all be 6’4 and be muscular and as fast as can be,” said Dr. Josephy Liesen, Culver-Stockton Executive Director of Institutional Technology. “ So I think it really provides a way for students who wouldn’t be normally engaged in athletics to become acquainted with some of the same skills you’d learn on an athletic field.”
“I think it kind of comes with the stigma, ‘Oh, they’re just playing video games, they’re not doing school stuff.’ But I think that they should get every respect that every other sports on campus should get,” added Donald Queen.

And even former and current athletes have flocked to the E-Sports Program at Culver-Stockton to turn what was once a hobby into full-time endeavors.

“I went home and told my family, ‘You know, I’m on an E-Sports team now, too.’ And they were like, ‘So you just play video games?’ They laughed and joked and I’m like, ‘Yeah, I play video games competitively.’ And they didn’t quite get that,” said Jacob Fortson.
Alex Madera agreed, “I feel like people don’t appreciate like you really need skills for E-Sports the same as you do for baseball, softball, whatever sport you play. You actually have to try, you actually have to make strategies. What things you are doing wrong, what things you are doing good, what you have to improve.”

So far the Culver-Stockton E-Sports Program offers scholarships in 5 of the industry’s most popular games, including League of Legends and Overwatch.

The program also has opportunities in video production, graphic design and more as it continues to increase its E-Sports footprint.

“I’d like to see 100 kids enrolled in this program and I think we’ll get there because the students coming of college age now live and breathe this stuff,” said Liesen.

And with the current upward trend of E-Sports globally, the Culver-Stockton E-Sports Program believes the future is as bright as the screens and keyboards they play on.

“I feel like in future years we’re going to be a really big thing, said Madera. “People are going to know us. People are going to know who the Culver-Stockton E-Sports team is.”
“I think it’ll be on par with football in a few years as far as recruitment,” says Liesen. “There’s lots of different games in the space that students can participate and I think as long as we have good leadership here and a good program, we’ll attract a lot of interest.”


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