In 2023, nearly 6.4 million people tuned in for the League of Legends World Championship. It was one of the most watched competitive events of all time. The prize pool in that championship event alone amounted to more than two million dollars, and the event drew teams from all over the world.
In case you didn’t know, League of Legends, also known simply as League, is an eSport—some say the most popular eSport of them all. For anyone out there who is unfamiliar with the term, we’re talking about electronic sports. Yep, they’re video games, but taken to a whole new level. Thay are organized into competitions where teams are pitted against one another, just like in typical sporting events.
Other popular games at the moment in addition to League: Omega Strikers, Counter Strike 2, Apex Legends, Valorant, and Rocket League. All of these are included in TLU’s initiative to bring eSports to campus, and where the program goes next depends on its success among students.
To put the idea into context, consider that currently, 472 colleges and universities across the nation are actively recruiting eSports athletes, and more than 3,400 high schools in Texas alone currently offer eSports programs—including some of TLU’s top feeder high schools. Those students will be looking to attend universities where they can continue to develop their skills and enjoy being part of a dedicated team. At TLU, an eSports program would provide all of that, and would also offer internship and job opportunities for student who’d like to work within the program. During last year’s spring semester, a survey was conducted at TLU to gauge interest in eSports, and a resounding 62 percent of 179 students responded in the positive.
There is much debate as to whether eSports lies in the realm of “sports.” True, eSports do not require the physical training that traditional sports do, but there is some overlap in the skill set required to succeed. Great athletes—virtual or otherwise—have to be able to remain calm in high-pressure situations. They have to be able to make snap decisions and work as a team. And mental focus and endurance are vital.
But the similarities between traditional and eSports don’t end there. Across the nation, and indeed, the world, eSports have become highly competitive, with teams, regular practices, coaches, even uniforms. “Like any other sport, you can play in college and eventually go to the pros,” says Kevin Medford, TLU’s Information Technology Helpdesk Coordinator.
Medford is part of TLU’s initiative to bring eSports to campus. “Our pilot program has launched,” he says. The idea, according to Medford, is to begin with open enrollment periods, where interested students are welcome to stop by the new eSports center in Centennial Hall. There, students can set up accounts on the three main eSport launcher platforms: Steam, Riot Client, and Epic Games. It’s free to play once your account is set up. From there, players begin to build their portfolios. They do that by playing the games—training as individuals who will hopefully eventually come together to form a team.
If that happens, TLU will compete with other teams already established in our district, just as our traditional sports teams do. The training center could expand in the future, Bulldog jerseys could be purchased, and TLU could be a serious contender in the field. Dell and its subsidiary Alienware have already donated some pretty amazing equipment. The practice room—a sort of eSports gym—is lined with top-notch monitors and chairs that are like something out of a gamer’s dreams.
Students interested in getting into eSports need not have any experience—they only need to be willing to learn how to play and to practice. And even if they never become professional eSports athletes, there are qualities to be gained by participating—qualities like tenacity, leadership, confidence—that will serve them well, long after graduation.
Students interested in trying out the program should stop by Centennial 133 to get enrolled. Current enrollment hours: Mondays 4-6 p.m.; Tuesdays 2:30-5:30 p.m.; Wednesdays 2-6 p.m.; Thursdays 3-6 p.m.; Fridays 1-4 p.m. Once enrolled, students can come play whenever the center is open. Regular center hours are Monday through Thursday, 2:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., and it’s open all night on Fridays and Saturdays. Look for posters around campus for more details. Questions? Email esports@tlu.edu.