Shenandoah University is taking steps to be a leader in eSports. This week the university will be hosting the McDonald’s Multi-Track Esports Major, a competitive event where teams from across the country will compete for a spot in the Overwatch League.
Overwatch League
Shenandoah University, in Winchester, VA, announced a partnership with the Washington Justice, an Overwatch League franchise. They will collaborate on live and online events. In addition, students will be given real world experience in the industry.
Esports programs at colleges and universities have become increasingly popular. This is because these activities provide students with a hands-on experience in the field of their choice. A varsity esports team may seem like a novelty, but it is a relatively new phenomenon.
In fact, there are several colleges and universities sponsoring teams in the Overwatch league. One is the University of California, Berkeley, which partnered with the San Francisco Shock in April of 2018. Another is the University of Kentucky, which has partnered with Gen.G.
The SU esports program also has recreational and varsity teams. These teams play a variety of esports, including Super Smash Bros Melee, Rocket League, League of Legends, Overwatch, and even esports related academic coursework.
One of the major benefits of partnering with an esports organization is that students can receive internships. Students can participate in an internship that focuses on the operations, marketing, and business development of the esports company.
While a partnership with a professional esports team may seem like an unnecessarily large undertaking, it does give students an opportunity to get a taste of the industry before they enter the real work force.
Multi-track esports major
A winchester-based university is going to offer multi-track bachelor’s degrees in esports management this fall. Shenandoah University is among several schools offering esports programs in the U.S.
The program is designed to provide students with a holistic approach to esports, preparing them for entrepreneurial ventures and careers in esports media and management. Its curriculum includes a strong background in esports, and students will get to take part in virtual gaming events.
Students will be able to choose from three tracks: Esports Management, Sports Science, and eSports Performance. They will also be able to choose from 30 general education credits. There is an option to complete the esports major in as little as one year, but a four-year degree is recommended.
SU’s esports department is led by Dr. Joey Gawrysiak, who has a doctorate in sport management from the University of Georgia. He is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Esports and sits on the advisory board of the World-Wide Scholastic Esports Federation.
The program also includes internships, and students can choose from a variety of electives, including public relations, small business management, and entrepreneurship. This year, the school launched an esports team that will compete in Overwatch, League of Legends, Rocket League, and Smite.
Shenandoah’s varsity esports teams will be a great place for students to learn more about the industry. Shenandoah is a member of the National Association of College Esports, and the university plans to add a virtual reality esports team in the future.
McDonald’s esports competitive event
The Shenandoah University Esports program is hosting a large-scale, interactive event on the weekend of April 24th. Whether you are an esports fanatic or not, this is a great opportunity to check out one of the latest games in the industry. Specifically, you can play Super Smash Bros Ultimate in supported areas, and compete in Fortnite. For a modest registration fee, you can take your shot at the competition. This is just the start of the year’s esports activities.
As for academe, you’ll be pleased to know that there is an esports major at the university, with a degree in esports management on the docket. The program is a result of funding from the federal Coronavirus Aid and Relief Act, and a grant from the state’s Office of Education.
You can also visit the Esports Arena to take part in a range of esports-related events, from a Super Smash Bros Open to a competition in Fortnite. If you’re a big gamer, you can join a squad of players from the Navy, Air Force and Marines for a game of Valorant.
Several schools across the United Kingdom have introduced esports programs of their own. A few have branched out into a full-blown esports department. Others like the University of Staffordshire have taken an innovative approach. Their students take part in video games in a sleek new digital studio. They do so in the hope of boosting their knowledge of STEM related subjects, while providing a sense of camaraderie among students.
