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 unnatural carnal knowledgeing 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?

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

I don't think it's a generational thing. As I (mistakenly) put in the nm thread, my parents played way more video games than I did at comparable ages.

My dad has some NHL 93 and Techmo Bowl stories for the ages.

[MUEng92]

I don't think it's a generational thing. As I (mistakenly) put in the nm thread, my parents played way more video games than I did at comparable ages.

My dad has some NHL 93 and Techmo Bowl stories for the ages.

Wait. Your Dad played NHL 93?  How old are you?

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Wait. Your Dad played NHL 93?  How old are you?

I'm 25

But that's kinda my point. My parents played video games through when I was born. It's not so much "Ohhh the millennials" but rather something that may seem a little bit niche but is actually stupidly popular.

[Bocephys]

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

Millennials tried to make Quidditch a thing, let’s not throw stones...

[forgetful]

Really smart. Stupid amount of money in esports.

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

If MU is smart they would start making an MU esports Youtube channel.

[Cheeks]

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.

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

Utah did this in 2017.  Not sure how MU is more major than Utah which is a P5 school

https://unews.utah.edu/university-of-utah-unveils-roster-for-first-varsity-esports-team/

[MUBigDance]

You know what’s a good competitive game of sorts is robotics teams. My son (bragging starts) was on high school team that went to international finals.great experience. I don’t see it as a sport but certainly worthy of college endorsement.

But no, video games...

[warriorchick]

Glow was a beast at Double Dribble.

And I was quite the Duck Hunter back in the day.

[mu_hilltopper]

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

Indeed!  Just flooded it with Lake Michigan's finest, too.

[Cheeks]

Do they have Space Invaders?

Missile Command, Asteroids, Tempest, Centipede, Dig Dug and Defender

[GooooMarquette]

Utah did this in 2017.  Not sure how MU is more major than Utah which is a P5 school

https://unews.utah.edu/university-of-utah-unveils-roster-for-first-varsity-esports-team/

If there are only five power conferences, the Pac-12 isn't one of them.

[Benny B]

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

Damn.  Gonna have to double the size of the Thunderdome now. 

[oldwarrior81]

from this espn list there are quite a few varsity esports teams. 
Not all D1, but there were a few on the list.

http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/21152905/college-esports-list-varsity-esports-programs-north-america

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

[#UnleashSean]

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.

Oh they are. I used to be a fairly decent professional gamer for counter-strike. I can tell you I've played in state championships where I had more energy in the 4th quarter then I did at the end of a cs tournament. It's much more than just thumb/eye coordination. Reaction time, discipline, communication, and constantly stressing your brain are just some of the things. If you ever watch a game you will notice 90% of the people playing are very fit athletes. Now they may not be 6'9 and dressing for the Bulls, but most are indeed athletes.

[Its DJOver]

How recent is this.  Asking because 6 other Beast schools competed with us earlier this week in a LOL tournament.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS6UUEAsy_o

[#UnleashSean]

How recent is this.  Asking because 6 other Beast schools competed with us earlier this week in a LOL tournament.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS6UUEAsy_o

I'm not sure if the ESL Collegiate teams were in any official capacity with their schools. From when I helped organize some things for these leagues no teams had any official backing. That could easily have changed though.


Theres a lot of cans of worms to work on with esports/college however. Im also curious to know what rank/level of skill these tournaments usually are now. Do these teams have any players competing in worlds? Or are most run of the mill diamond/plat?

[JakeBarnes]

I'm not sure if the ESL Collegiate teams were in any official capacity with their schools. From when I helped organize some things for these leagues no teams had any official backing. That could easily have changed though.


Theres a lot of cans of worms to work on with esports/college however. Im also curious to know what rank/level of skill these tournaments usually are now. Do these teams have any players competing in worlds? Or are most run of the mill diamond/plat?

I imagine the latter looking for exposure.

[Its DJOver]

I'm not sure if the ESL Collegiate teams were in any official capacity with their schools. From when I helped organize some things for these leagues no teams had any official backing. That could easily have changed though.

I don't know enough about the topic to agree or disagree, but if it was posted by the official Big East YouTube Channel, I would guess there's some sort of higher organizational structure.  Although, there were also only 7 schools competing so...

[WarriorFan]

My beef is with the name.  These are not sports.  They are games, they are competitions, etc... but they are not sports.

What else is not a sport:
- anything you can do while holding a beer
- anything where the horse/dog/bull/other animal does most of the work
- anything that simulates a real sport

[Class71]

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

No one to blame just an unfortunate trend. Yes, millions are made but ...

[SaveOD238]

For all of you bashing e-sports let me share a story about my students.  I catch my students (mostly middle school) watching videos of other people playing video games ALL THE TIME.  A few years ago it was Minecraft.  Now it's usually Fortnite.  I finally asked one "how is it fun to watch other people play video games?". His response:

"Dont you watch other people play basketball?"

E-sports is the entertainment of their generation.  There is a ton of money to be made in competitive e-sports.

[Slim]

I can’t wait for Mucasterscoop so I can say things like:

That guy just played a Wisp and a Grimscale Oracle on turn one, what a Dennis!”

[ZiggysFryBoy]

For all of you bashing e-sports let me share a story about my students.  I catch my students (mostly middle school) watching videos of other people playing video games ALL THE TIME.  A few years ago it was Minecraft.  Now it's usually Fortnite.  I finally asked one "how is it fun to watch other people play video games?". His response:

"Dont you watch other people play basketball?"

E-sports is the entertainment of their generation.  There is a ton of money to be made in competitive e-sports.

ALL THE DAMN TIME.

On a positive,  this might be the only way my kids could get into MU.  Full ride for esports? Hell-o.

[Cheeks]

If there are only five power conferences, the Pac-12 isn't one of them.

Well, they might not act like one but they are.

Not sure how our press release got that wrong.

[oldwarrior81]

My beef is with the name.  These are not sports.  They are games, they are competitions, etc... but they are not sports.

What else is not a sport:
- anything you can do while holding a beer
- anything where the horse/dog/bull/other animal does most of the work
- anything that simulates a real sport

and as the AD at Clemson once said, when asked about adding crew as a potential varsity sport, "We aren't going to have a "sport" where you sit down and go backwards"

[McCormick Survivor]

We have to careful to avoid recruiting violations.  Instead of a situation where coaches used real sex workers to entice recruits, Marquette must now avoid providing links to on-line chat rooms. And don't get me started on the potential for a large bribery and corruption scheme over courting athletic company Addidas to provide apparel sponsorships. What esport kid wouldn't want new pocket protectors for himself and his family with three stripes on them?

[StillAWarrior]

Well, they might not act like one but they are.

Not sure how our press release got that wrong.

Hell, the ESPN link someone posted up-thread (dated March 2018) lists Ohio State among the varsity esports programs.  However one feels about them, it's pretty hard to argue that The BigTen and/or OSU aren't "major conference."  I can't believe that Marquette would have it so wrong in the release.  There must be a distinction that they're pointing to that makes it different from the others.  I'm guessing the "run by an athletics program," but I have no idea how OSU (or others) handle things.

[JakeBarnes]

My beef is with the name.  These are not sports.  They are games, they are competitions, etc... but they are not sports.

What else is not a sport:
- anything you can do while holding a beer
- anything where the horse/dog/bull/other animal does most of the work
- anything that simulates a real sport

What are your thoughts on Slamball?

[Warrior3211]

Hell, the ESPN link someone posted up-thread (dated March 2018) lists Ohio State among the varsity esports programs.  However one feels about them, it's pretty hard to argue that The BigTen and/or OSU aren't "major conference."  I can't believe that Marquette would have it so wrong in the release.  There must be a distinction that they're pointing to that makes it different from the others.  I'm guessing the "run by an athletics program," but I have no idea how OSU (or others) handle things.

you're spot on... it's that Marquette's team will be overseen by the athletics department.  That's why they are claiming the "first" title.

[DFW HOYA]

"Being named after an explorer means it's in Marquette's DNA to define the opportunities of tomorrow and ensure we're anticipating what future students will expect," said President Michael R. Lovell. "Marquette embraces new methods of teaching and areas of study, and esports and gaming in general have the potential to impact both, while also helping to strengthen our student recruitment prospects in an increasingly competitive environment."

Seems like a stretch.

[Osiris]

"Being named after an explorer means it's in Marquette's DNA to define the opportunities of tomorrow and ensure we're anticipating what future students will expect," said President Michael R. Lovell. "Marquette embraces new methods of teaching and areas of study, and esports and gaming in general have the potential to impact both, while also helping to strengthen our student recruitment prospects in an increasingly competitive environment."

Seems like a stretch.

Oh, I doubt they stretch.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Oh, I doubt they stretch.

This made me laugh....but....

https://www.pcgamer.com/easy-stretches-for-pc-gamers/

[Osiris]

This made me laugh....but....

https://www.pcgamer.com/easy-stretches-for-pc-gamers/

Huh.  Who knew?