Esports is an established sport that involves competition between teams and players by using online multiplayer video games. It is an evolving sport that provides many opportunities such as building team chemistry, providing scholarships to students, and future job opportunities. All are reasons why Chaminade should have its own esports team.
Even though esports is gaining popularity nowadays, it has been around for a long time. According to Southern Illinois University, in 1980, the first nationwide esports competition was held with 10,000 participants competing in the game Asteroids.
Since then, the games and the sport have evolved. Now there are first-person shooter (FPS) events, multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) events like “League of Legends,” fighter game events like “Mortal Kombat” and “Super Smash Bros.,” sports game events like “Madden and NBA2K,” and other events like card games and real-time strategies.
It’s time that Chaminade starts investing in starting a team. UH Manoa and Hawaii Pacific University both have esports teams that participate in competitive tournaments, so why doesn’t Chaminade?
An esports team can contribute to a vibrant campus culture, providing students with an additional avenue for socialization, teamwork, and competition. It creates a sense of community among students who share a common interest in gaming. When I walk into the Loo student center, I often see students playing games on the TV. If Chaminade did create an esports team, these would be the students who would be interested in something like that.
This could also attract students to the school. Many colleges are offering students scholarships to be a part of their esports teams. Hawaii Pacific University offers students a scholarship of $1,000-$6,000 per year. By offering the scholarships, the school can recruit players while offering them financial assistance.
Esports could also be a financial success for Chaminade. While the university would have to invest in some gaming hardware, it certainly wouldn’t be as expensive as outfitting 40 new baseball players with uniforms and equipment. Chaminade could also make money from esports too. HPU has its own esports arena that its team uses, but it is also open to the public to use. People can pay to rent the arena, which leads to the university generating some income.
Participating in esports tournaments and leagues could open up opportunities for Chaminade to engage with the broader gaming community. It might provide a platform for students to compete on a global scale and build connections within the esports industry. Besides the global scale, Chaminade could hold friendly competitions between UH Manoa and HPU. By connecting with the other colleges, Chaminade could learn from what they have done to be successful since they have had teams longer than Chaminade.
Esports is competitive at times, but it can also be a fun and positive experience. All college students can attest to the fact that college is stressful and at times feels unbearable. Esports can be an escape from reality for a few hours. For players, esports can be a stress-relieving activity. Having an esports team can promote a balanced approach to wellness, offering students an outlet for relaxation and camaraderie.
Esports involvement goes beyond just playing games. It can prepare students for careers in various aspects of the gaming industry, such as game design, event management, marketing, and streaming. By implementing esports here at Chaminade, the school would be actively giving students opportunities to explore after they graduate. Students can get a head start in the gaming industry, and if they choose to do so, they could land a job in that field.
With all of these potential possibilities, Chaminade should look into starting an esports team. With Chaminade offering 12 sports, including the recent additions of baseball and women’s beach volleyball, why shouldn’t esports be the next one up?