Big name universities are putting money into esports!
A full tournament standard competitive computer setup can cost up to 2500$ per setup. It’s not cheap for these colleges to be putting as much effort as they are into providing gamers with the best possible opportunities.
The industry of esports is spreading rapidly in the collegiate scene, as there are three different games that half of universities in the United States have a varsity team for, as discovered in a study done by Grand Canyon university.
Not only do esports already have a strong and ever-growing presence, the esports scene has some money value. Colleges are now more than willing to spend more than a pretty penny on some good esports facilities to provide student gamers with the best possible experience.
Some of the best colleges in esports have set up massive and expensive facilities. University of Akron, a division 1 school in Ohio has spent roughly $750,000 dollars on their esports facility which covers roughly 5,200 square feet.
We can see these kinds of examples in Oregon as well, University of Oregon has a facility as well that fields all of their varsity teams and more. Southern Oregon University and Eastern Oregon University both also have a facility with computer setups that meet all tournament standards for any game.
Not only are colleges willing to spend money on facilities, but they’re willing to also buy some talented gamers. Northwood University, located in Midland, Michigan is a college notorious for dominating the Rocket League esports scene. They’re roster who recently became collegiate Rocket League world champions, are all under a full ride scholarship.
“I am under essentially a full ride scholarship, tuition and my dorm room is paid for completely. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity that the college is offering me, I have never been able to break out into the top of the professional Rocket League scene. However I am able to experience having some fame amidst the collegiate scene. My best memories from my career come from playing at Northwood,” said Aaron “Noxes” Cadiz from Northwood University.
The growth of the collegiate esports industry is extremely beneficial. High schoolers now have another skill they could develop that could get them a ticket into college for a lower price.
