Marquette First Major Conference School to Add Varsity Esports

[ZMovieman]

Not exactly my cup of tea, but kudos to Marquette for getting ahead of the curve on this. Esports will be a big thing in the NCAA in short order.

Marquette will work with corporate partners and donors to build an area for the varsity esports team to practice together on campus, which will include multiple gaming systems, a dedicated broadcast and production station, and a casual, console gaming area. When not being used by the varsity esports team, the space will be available to student groups and activities.

https://gomarquette.com/news/2019/1/22/marquette-is-first-major-division-i-institution-to-add-varsity-esports.aspx

[skianth16]

Welp, I read that one as "escorts" instead of "esports"

Not sure if that's more on me or on the recent trends in the NCAA...

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Really smart. Stupid amount of money in esports.

Wonder if this means we will be the "blue blood" of esports.

[jesmu84]

Welp, I read that one as "escorts" instead of "esports"

Not sure if that's more on me or on the recent trends in the NCAA...

Couldn't have been "escorts" as Louisville would have beaten MU to the punch

[Oldgym]

Really smart. Stupid amount of money in esports.

Wonder if this means we will be the "blue blood" of esports.

Question is how many seats in the on-campus arena are we gonna need?

[MUBigDance]

OK, it has all the trappings of a sport...team of students...skill rather than chance...competition..interest...stat potential...potential entertainment value to a fan base with income thereof...but is it a sport?? Its more like a chess team...is that NCAA?. Is this really a sport if the only physical acuity is thumb/eye coordination? I'm ok with bowling but I don't know about this stuff.

someone convince me.

[MUBigDance]

and maybe this is Superbar stuff also...

[JakeBarnes]

I was an athlete in high school and really bummed that esports weren't really a thing back then. I was a moderately decent athlete, but actually was ranked in the top ten in the world in a popular video game at the time.

Would have been nice to cash in on some of that. Good for Marquette for creating a platform.

[Archies Bat]

I also thought the title said escorts when I first looked.

[Galway Eagle]

Before someone blames this on millennials let's remember this is the generation after us.

[The Equalizer]

There are a few other D1 programs, including Miami of Ohio, Boise State, Western Kentucky, Georgia State, Georgia Southern and Cal-Irvine.  I guess "first major" depends on where you draw the line for major.

https://www.gamedesigning.org/schools/varsity-esports/


How long before Season Ticket holders start to complain about buy games with DigiPen Institute of Technology, South Carolina - Sumpter, and Embry Riddle. 

[reinko]

I was an athlete in high school and really bummed that esports weren't really a thing back then. I was a moderately decent athlete, but actually was ranked in the top ten in the world in a popular video game at the time.

Would have been nice to cash in on some of that. Good for Marquette for creating a platform.

Curious on which game

[Pakuni]

Looks like there's a ground-floor opportunity to become the KenPom of esports.

[Skatastrophy]

OK, it has all the trappings of a sport...team of students...skill rather than chance...competition..interest...stat potential...potential entertainment value to a fan base with income thereof...but is it a sport?? Its more like a chess team...is that NCAA?. Is this really a sport if the only physical acuity is thumb/eye coordination? I'm ok with bowling but I don't know about this stuff.

someone convince me.

I suggest watching the League of Legends episode of "7 Days Out" on Netflix. Here's the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80NvemgzZY0

[mu_hilltopper]

Unpopular opinion alert:  I just don't see how a university of higher learning should be associated with video games.

I get it, lots of money, lots of interest from youth.  It's amazing, it's the wave of the future, they are cutting edge, yay for them.

But in the end, we're talking about video games.   

Mrs. Hilltopper and I often talk about the HUNDREDS of hours killed by our kids playing Fortnite.  It's absurd, it's pretty close to 3 hours a day.  And I think about what an Arby's parent I am for not having them spend 20 hours a week -- or even 10 -- on something productive. 

So now this thread pops up, Marquette is adding fucking video games, and I think the world has gone completely insane.

In conclusion, get off my lawn.

[GooooMarquette]

WERE NUMBER ONE!!!


But FWIW, I agree with Topper. This is kinda stupid. We better be prepared to be the butt of plenty of jokes. And we make fun of UW@Madison for offering a bowling class for credit...

[lawdog77]

What's next? Drone Racing?

[Archies Bat]

Schools need to adapt to attract today's and tomorrow's students.

Not sure this is the way, but they are not being passive.

[Sir Lawrence]

In conclusion, get off my lawn.

But, but I thought you invited me to ice skate on your lawn!

[vogue65]

Is slot car racing still around?  Another opportunity to excell?

[T-Bone]

Unpopular opinion alert:  I just don't see how a university of higher learning should be associated with video games.

In conclusion, get off my lawn.

Maybe computer science...  It's not a traditional way of thinking about it, but it seems that in the development side there is a move to "gamification" and to a lesser extent security.  Stuff like Urban Code Warrior or Capture the Flag events.
It is a streeetttccccchhh to draw those links, in my opinion.

Also get off my lawn.

[GB Warrior]

Bring back NCAA Basketball to our consoles

[T-Bone]

Bring back NCAA Basketball to our consoles

Amen. Dragged out the last version of it at the start of the season.

[real chili 83]

Do they have Space Invaders?

[MUEng92]

So if they are playing an NCAA basketball video game, do they have to play with their school's team or can they be another school's team?