HBCUs lure students with esports curriculums

A growing number of Historically Black Colleges and Universities are incorporating esports into their curriculum to attract students. Esports is now being taken seriously as a career.

More and more high school graduates have the option to attend esports college.

HBCUs want to promote esports

A growing number of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs for short) have now incorporated esports into their curriculum to attract students. That’s because, as many people (including parents and teachers) now understand, esports is about much more than just playing games. It’s about real career and advancement opportunities.

In the past, the Mid Atlantic Athletic Conference (MEAC) promoted sports on the field or court. Now, more and more HBCUs are investing in games played on screens instead of on turf or indoors. Investing in esports equipment and labs can be a powerful recruiting tool.

Christy Philips, president of “BU Gamerz” in Durham and a graduate of North Carolina Central University and Fayetteville State University, said:

“We have a lot of freshmen looking for universities that have esports clubs. There are scholarship opportunities, career opportunities, shout-casting opportunities and gaming commentary opportunities.”

As popular as it has become, Philips said students should only see it as a part of the college experience. She said success depends on the measure of things.

“You have to take care of yourself mentally, physically and emotionally to play, just like any other sport.”

Esports as a new opportunity

Phillips says esports are also good for growing businesses, and that HBCUs are also willing to help students learn other skills related to gaming, such as programming and designing their own games.

“We’re working with Carolina HUBS to make sure we can spread and help everyone at all levels of gaming come into their own.”

A shift in trend

While the trend right now is for many esports organizations to disband or cut staff, it seems that at the same time, more schools are sprouting up to promote esports. Possibly this will also lead to an upswing again. Esports are also being treated more seriously in schools in other countries, and Tokyo recently launched its first esports high school, which also aims to encourage and introduce young interested people to the sport at an early age.