Building a Collegiate Esports Program

Building a Collegiate Esports Program with Number29

With the recent rise of structured esports programs & scholarships on the collegiate levels, admissions and marketing departments around the country are beginning to take a serious look at the viability of an esports program at their own institutions.

The collegiate esports landscape can be very difficult to navigate, not to mention the learning curve necessary to understand all the different leagues and requirements for your school to actually be eligible to participate.

WHAT EXACTLY IS ESPORTS?

Esports is a massive, global series of video game competitions, with high school, college and professional leagues around the world. Esports is no joke—according to NewZoo, the market made almost $700M in revenue in 2017, with an audience of almost 400 million people.

Current speculation and projections show no sign of esports slowing down. While it can be difficult to understand the potential for esports globally, most estimations place esports another 5-10 years out from hitting its full potential.

Start Developing Your Collegiate Esports Program Today!

WHICH SCHOOLS ARE CURRENTLY SUPPORTING ESPORTS ON THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL?

 

SCHOOL LOCATION ATHLETICS
Ashland University Ohio Division II
Averett University Virginia Division III
Becker College Massachusetts Division III
Bellevue University Nebraska NAIA
Benedictine University Mesa Arizona NAIA
Boise State University Idaho Division I
Brescia University Kentucky NAIA
Campbellsville University Kentucky NAIC
Central Methodist University Missouri NAIA
Centralia College Washington NWAC
Coker College South Carolina Division II
College of St. Joseph Vermont Division II/NAIA
Columbia College Missouri NAIA
Culver-Stockton College Missouri NAIA
Defiance College Ohio Division III
Dickinson State University North Dakota NAIA
DigiPen Institute of Technology Washington N/A
ECPI University Virginia N/A
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Arizona NAIA
Florida Southern College Florida Division II
Fontbonne University Missouri Division III
Georgia Southern University Georgia Division I
Georgia State University Georgia Division I
Grand View University Iowa NAIA
Harrisburg University Pennsylvania N/A
Hawkeye Community College Iowa NJCAA
Illinois College Illinois Division III
Illinois Wesleyan University Illinois Division III
Indiana Institute of Technology Indiana NAIA
Iowa Central Community College Iowa NJCAA
Jarvis Christian College Texas NAIA
Kansas Wesleyan University Kansas NAIA
Keuka College New York Division III
King University Tennessee Division II
Lackawanna College Pennsylvania NJCAA
Lambton College Ontario OCAA
Lebanon Valley College Pennsylvania Division III
Lees-McRae College North Carolina Division II
Lourdes University Ohio NAIA
Maryville University Missouri Division II
McPherson College Kansas NAIA
Menlo College California NAIA
Miami (Ohio) University Ohio Division I
Midland University Nebraska NAIA
Missouri Baptist University Missouri NAIA
Missouri Valley College Missouri NAIA
Morningside College Iowa NAIA
Northern Virginia Community College Virginia NJCAA
Northwest Christian University Oregon NAIA
Ohio Northern University Ohio Division III
Oregon Institute of Technology Oregon NAIA
Park University Missouri NAIA
Pratt Community College Kansas NJCAA
Principia College Illinois Division III
Robert Morris University Illinois NAIA
Schreiner University Texas Division III
Shawnee State University Ohio NAIA
Shenandoah University Virginia Division III
Siena Heights University Michigan NAIA
Southwestern College Kansas NAIA
Southwestern Oregon Community College Oregon NJCAA
Southwest Baptist University Missouri Division II
St. Ambrose University Iowa NAIA
St. Clair College Ontario OCAA
St. Louis College of Pharmacy Missouri NAIA
St. Thomas Aquinas College New York Division II
St. Thomas University Florida NAIA
Stephens College Missouri NAIA
Stevenson University Maryland Division III
SUNY Canton New York Division III
Talladega College Alabama NAIA
Texas Wesleyan Texas Division II
Tiffin University Ohio Division II
Trine University Indiana Division III
Union Community College New Jersey NJCAA
University of Akron Ohio Division I
University of California-Irvine California Division I
University of Jamestown North Dakota NAIA
University of Mount Union Ohio Division III
University of North Texas Texas Division I
University of Pikeville Kentucky NAIA
University of Providence Montana NAIA
University of Saint Mary Kansas NAIA
University of South Carolina-Sumter South Carolina NJCAA
University of South Carolina-Union South Carolina NJCAA
University of Utah Utah Division I
West Virginia Wesleyan College West Virginia Division II
Western Kentucky University Kentucky Division I


Let’s chat about your future collegiate esports program.

WHO WE ARE

Number29 is a 100% distributed marketing & creative agency, based out of Las Vegas, NV. We offer over 20 years of brand & marketing experience with clients such as Disney, National Geographic, McGraw Hill, Pearson Education, Drury Hotels, Super Evil Mega Corp, and many more. This expertise and commitment to quality work, coupled with years of gaming and esports involvement, allows us to set our sights on being the premier esports brand and marketing agency in North America.

WHY ESPORTS?

Over the last four years, we have become involved within the esports space, developing team infrastructures, brand strategies, long-term growth programs, content and community platforms, marketing and event planning and everything in-between. We have worked hand in hand with some of the worlds largest companies, productions and developers around the globe from China and Southeast Asia, to Europe and North America. Throughout this time, we have found a burgeoning industry that is being built on passion and hard work, by the very gamers it serves. As gamers ourselves, this inspired us to focus solely on the future of esports and our role within it.

Now is the time to start your esports program!

THE FUTURE IS ESPORTS

Industry growth trajectory for the next three years (2018-2021)

  1. All major U.S. media conglomerates will have digital esports media rights.
  2. Esports will help gaming grow into a bigger industry than traditional pro sports.
  3. Esports will not be a part of the Olympics as we know it, but the Olympics will be involved with esports.
  4. The term esports will start to disappear.
  5. The highest-earning team will generate over $10 million in gross revenue.
  6. A mobile esports athlete will become a millionaire by winning one event.
  7. The first $100-million-a-year esports media-rights deal will be made.
  8. The three most popular esports will each have well-structured national competitions that flow into international events.
  9. The world’s 10 most valuable brands (based on enterprise value) will sponsor esports.
  10. Esports will generate more revenue than rugby, globally.

HOW DO ESPORTS BENEFIT STUDENTS?

Collegiate esports programs have been cropping up throughout the U.S. at a amazing rate over the last two years. While offering an esports program not only allows an educational institution to stay competitive, it also offers very real outcomes for students that participate within these programs.

Gaining skills for their future career. Like many college clubs and sports, esports helps students learn valuable skills that will serve them well throughout their life. Among the skills developed through esports are: strategic thinking, teamwork, collaboration, goal setting, preparation, and managing success and failure – not to mention quick reflexes.

Expanded career opportunities.M In addition to developing important skills that can help students succeed in just about anything they do, esports itself is a fast growing industry that offers many job opportunities beyond being a pro player. These include careers related to production, programming, marketing, project management, management of esports teams, game development, information technology, graphic design, business management, finance, and even STEM fields.

A pathway to afford college. More than 60 colleges now offer esports programs, with many more on the horizon. Groups like TESPA & CSL offer tournament prizes in the form of scholarships to help students pay for a college. Because of this, esports at the college level can motivate students who lack the funding to continue on in higher education.

Social engagement & social skills development. Gaming is often a solitary activity and students who enjoy gaming are often those who are less involved in school activities. Competitive esports provides a way for like-minded students to gather either in person or virtually on a regular basis, in pursuit of common goals – providing a sense of belonging for those who might otherwise opt out of school activities. As a scheduled school activity, esports clubs provide the opportunity to form friendships, gain respect from fellow students and gain increased self-esteem.

HOW WILL ESPORTS BENEFIT OUR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY?

When students do well, schools do well. All of the benefits listed above are also a great thing for the college itself. In addition, schools that build esports programs during these early days are quite likely to receive positive media exposure from the community and even nationally. An esports team can also bring in new sources of revenue for a school from sponsors and advertising.

Start developing your collegiate esports program today!