Sch-LOL-arships?

[SamSkumm]

It could be because I'm getting old, but academic institutions rewarding students for playing video games still feels like a concept torn straight from Back to the Future. But it's happening: the University of Pikeville in Kentucky will offer 20 scholarships for high level League of Legends players when the semester commences in Autumn.

Pikeville isn't the first college to do so, with Chicago's Robert Morris University introducing a similar scholarship last year. While plenty of colleges and universities compete every year as part of the Collegiate StarLeague, few actually offer scholarships based on League of Legends performance.

"It will be a regime a lot like athletics," the college's New Media Director Bruce Parsons told WYMT TV. "They'll have to have a certain GPA (grade point average). We'll look at them like student athletes. There will be practice time and video time when they have to study other teams for upcoming competitions."

The move is part of the mainstream's ongoing embrace of eSports and, in particular, MOBAs. ESPN broadcasted last year's Dota 2 International tournament, which was popular enough for one source to claim that the network intends to "double down" on its eSports coverage.

SOURCE

so revenants, is this ridiculous? or do high level gamers deserve the same treatment as their athletic peers?

 

[RivaCom]

You know, High level gaming is up there with probably some lower level athletes, I wouldn't say it's impossible. This is straight out of video game high school by freddie wong.

 

[poispois]

where was this when I was entering university?

 

[NSH4RPY]

Its amazing how gaming has got to a point where you could do it for a living!!!

 

[poispois]

Its amazing how gaming has got to a point where you could do it for a living!!!

Doing it for a living is already a reality, but usually only in Asia

 

[Rexigar]

I don't see why it couldn't be put in a category with sports. If you look up the actual definition of the word sport. "An athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often as a competitive nature. " I'd say gaming at that type of level would certainly require skill and where as you may not be physically using your body, I would certainly say you use your brain a lot for these types of games.

 

[SamSkumm]

I agree rex, but i think that the hand eye coordination required to play is using your body, as mush as a snooker or darts player anyway and both snooker and darts are regarded as sports

 

[Rexigar]

That's very true and let's be honest. The ability to sit on your ass all day really takes some conditioning.

 

[ManBearPig]

I don't see why it couldn't be put in a category with sports. If you look up the actual definition of the word sport. "An athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often as a competitive nature. " I'd say gaming at that type of level would certainly require skill and where as you may not be physically using your body, I would certainly say you use your brain a lot for these types of games.

Ya and I don't know about you guys but I have moments in gaming where I've sweat profusely.

 

[NSH4RPY]

even table footballs considered a sport, so gaming 100% should be!!

 

[RivaCom]

Ya and I don't know about you guys but I have moments in gaming where I've sweat profusely.

I had some smart ass comment, but got interrupted and forgot it.