Some US Colleges Offer Full Scholarships to Gamers

 

Most Americans would never put an activity like video gaming in the same group with a physically¹ demanding sport like football or basketball.

But gaming has reached such a high level of competition that some schools are now offering what are being called full “esports” scholarships. They provide financial aid to students who play for their esports teams.

One of the first colleges to offer a full gaming scholarship was Harrisburg University of Science and Technology in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Harrisburg University recently announced creation² of an esports team with 16 varsity players.

Just like members of college sports teams across the country, the varsity esports players can receive money for their schooling³ and housing. The 16 are known as competitive⁴ gamers.

While many gamers enjoy playing on gaming systems like Xbox or Playstation, most competitive esports are played on personal computers. Among the top games are League of Legends, Overwatch, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive⁵, Dota 2 and Hearthstone.

Esports programs are set up like most other college or university sports teams. They have a coach who helps to train the players, a manager who directs the team and a series of competitive events against other teams.

Geoffrey Wang is the head coach for Harrisburg University’s esports team – called the Storm. In a statement announcing the varsity players, he said the final 16 were chosen from about 500 people from around the world.

The team represents highly “talented individuals who have all stood out as some of the top players in their respective titles,” Wang said.

Wang says that since Harrisburg University offers classes in science and technology, it is a good choice for gamers looking to combine education and esports.

“We want all of our students to be able to succeed academically, and then competitively as well.”

Eric Darr is the president of Harrisburg University. He told VOA the school is pleased to offer gamers the same possibilities that many talented players in other sports already receive.

“So here's an opportunity to come to a great university and get a great degree in science and technology, while continuing to be a great gamer.”

Twenty-year-old Grayson O’Connell is a student at Harrisburg University. He is studying computer technology and machine learning. After class, his homework usually includes plenty of gaming time.

O’Connell says he has always been competitive, even as a child. But he felt like he couldn’t play traditional sports because many of them involve a lot of money.

“I played hockey, but I really wasn't able to play anything else because it consumed my time and my parent’s expenses. So video games ended up being what I used to play competitively.”

O’Connell said his parents have no issues with his choice of esports.

“My parents were very supportive of that and when they started seeing that school was actually rewarding people for being talented at certain games like that, they were fully⁶ on board with me.”

Harrisburg University held a week-long program for high school students interested in being competitive gamers. One of the attendees was 15-year-old Justin Bahata, who seemed to have the right aim for a future varsity player.

“I don’t play video games really to have fun, I play them more to win. So then coming here, esports, that's really what I wanted to do.”

In September, Harrisburg University will hold a major esports competition. At least 32 varsity teams from across the nation will take part. The competition will be an official event of the National Association of Collegiate Esports.

The association seeks to help American colleges develop esports programs and scholarships. The group recently announced it will hold national championships in November for players of the games Smite⁷ and Paladins. The winner of each of those championships will receive $50,000 in scholarship prizes.

I’m Bryan Lynn.

Words in This Story

varsity – n. the main team of a college, school, or group in a sport

talented – adj. having special abilities or skills

title – n. a descriptive name

academic – adj. of or relating to a school

opportunity – n. situation in which it is possible for a person to do something

degree – n. a special honor or recognition⁸ given to a student on completing a study program

consume – v. use up

expense – n. amount of money needed or used to do or buy something

rewarding – adj. giving you a good feeling that you have done something valuable or important

1 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

2 creation   

n.创造，创造的作品，产物，宇宙，天地万物

参考例句：

• Language is the most important mental creation of man.语言是人类头脑最重要的产物。
• The creation of new playgrounds will benefit the local children.新游戏场的建立将有益于当地的儿童。

3 schooling   

n.教育；正规学校教育

参考例句：

• A child's access to schooling varies greatly from area to area.孩子获得学校教育的机会因地区不同而大相径庭。
• Backward children need a special kind of schooling.天赋差的孩子需要特殊的教育。

4 competitive   

adj.竞争的，比赛的，好竞争的，有竞争力的

参考例句：

• Some kinds of business are competitive.有些商业是要竞争的。
• These businessmen are both competitive and honourable.这些商人既有竞争性又很诚实。

5 offensive   

adj.令人不快的，侮辱的，攻击用的；n.进攻

参考例句：

• His mode of doing business is offensive to me.他干事情的方式叫我很不喜欢。
• If all else fails,I will take the offensive.如果其他方法不行，我将采取攻势。

6 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。

7 smite   

v.重击；彻底击败；n.打；尝试；一点儿

参考例句：

• The wise know how to teach,the fool how to smite.智者知道如何教导，愚者知道怎样破坏。
• God will smite our enemies.上帝将击溃我们的敌人。

8 recognition   

n.承认，认可，认出，认识

参考例句：

• The place has changed beyond recognition.这地方变得认不出来了。
• A sudden smile of recognition flashed across his face.他脸上掠过一丝笑意，表示认识对方。