Game-News: Erstes eSport-Stipendium in Amerika

Auch wenn es lange gedauert hat, eSpot wir langsam aber sicher als tatsächliche Sportart anerkannt. Sollte man auch, schließlich geht es bei Turnieren wie den DotA 2 Internationals um bis zu 10 Mio. US-Dollar! Auch MOBAs wie League of Legends mit ihren Myriaden an Spielern und Fans erscheinen in wöchentlichen Liga-Streams, in denen eAthleten um ihre Positionen kämpfen.

Das hier beträchtliches Potential besteht, hat nun auch die Robert Morris University in Illinois erkannt und weil man als eAthlet, genau wie jeder andere Sportler auch, Zeit, Geld und Energie in seinen Wahlsport steckt, will dieses Bildungsinstitut dabei helfen. Deshalb werden an dieser Universität bald die ersten Sportstipedien für League of Legends ausgehändigt. Wie cool ist das?

Hier der Originalauszug der Universität:

„CHICAGO – Robert Morris University Illinois is pleased to announce the addition of an online sport to its athletic program.  Commonly referred to as eSports, the activity consists of organized video game competitions. Specifically, RMU students will compete in League of Legends, one of the largest and most popular eSport games.    Although eSports have long been a part of the culture of gaming, competitions have seen a large surge in popularity in recent years.  Robert Morris University recognizes the value and legitimacy of eSports and is excited to add eSports to its already rich athletic program.  

Associate Athletic Director Kurt Melcher states, „Robert Morris University has always been at the forefront of providing opportunities for a diverse student population with different interests and skills.  League of Legends is a competitive, challenging game which requires significant amount of teamwork to be successful.“ 

Robert Morris University is in the process of recruiting students for the first year of competition, beginning with the fall quarter in September, 2014.     RMU will join the Collegiate Star League, made up of 103 institutions of higher learning and compete against other universities including Arizona State, George Washington and Harvard.  Significantly, Robert Morris University is among the first in the nation to offer substantial scholarships for members of the first RMU Varsity eSport League of Legends team.  Qualified gamers can earn scholarships of up to 50% tuition and 50% room and board.

Currently there are over 750 schools in 46 states and eight Canadian provinces that participate in League of Legends High School Starleague (HSL).  Robert Morris University seeks eSport athletes with experience in the HSL or similar for their inaugural competitive season.  Teams in the Collegiate Starleague compete for Riot’s North American Collegiate Championship and $100,000 in scholarship money. Qualification to the event can be obtained through league play or through the North American Collegiate Open tournament.„