Will Compete Nationwide in World’s Fastest Growing Sport
Virginia Beach, VA – ECPI University is proud to announce it is forming an eSports team that will be the first in Hampton Roads to play at the intercollegiate level. Competing as the ECPI University Rams, it has joined the National Association of Collegiate eSports (NACE) where it will face up to 87 other colleges and universities across the nation.
“ECPI University is so excited to have an eSports term,” says team coach and Associate Dean of Academic Technology Gerry White. “It just makes sense for our school, being so forward thinking with technology, to also help and shape the future of eSports.”
Tryouts are for the Rams are set for June 22 and 23. Each student that makes the team will receive a scholarship of between $1,000 and $5,000. “ECPI University has a longstanding tradition of leading the way locally and nationally for non-traditional learning and success,” says team manager and ECPI University Director of Web Services Mike Glover. “It only makes sense that we would lead the way with the first eSports Varsity team in Hampton Roads.”
For those unfamiliar with the eSports phenomena, it is developing at an exponential rate. No longer confined to local banquet halls, these events are now full-blown spectator sports, selling out venues like Madison Square Garden and Staples Center. And experts say this is just the beginning.
The Wall Street Journal recently reported that eSports revenue will reach $1.5 billion by 2020. Moreover, the Philadelphia 76ers recently purchased the UK-based professional team, DIGNITAS. There’s even efforts underway to make eSports part of the Olympics.
A recent study conducted by Newzoo found:
- The worldwide eSports audience will reach 380 million this year, a year-on-year growth of +13.5%.
- In 2017, there were 588 major eSports events that generated an estimated $59 million in ticket revenues, up from $32 million in 2016.
- The League of Legends World Championship was the most watched event on Twitch in 2017 with 49.5 million hours. It also generated $5.5 million in ticket revenues.
“Given its worldwide growth, it only makes sense that collegiate teams would then form and begin to compete,” says Glover. “We look forward to competing against all of these other forward-thinking schools across the country.”
For more information, please contact ECPI University Director of Marketing at 757.490.9090 or publicrelations@ecpi.edu.
About ECPI University
ECPI University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award the associate's, baccalaureate, and master's degrees and diplomas. SACSCOC is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. A private university founded in 1966, ECPI University has campuses in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida, and offers convenient classes during the day, evening, and online; graduate employment services, continuing education, certification classes, and testing are also available.
On campus or online, fields of study include: HEALTH SCIENCES: Master of Science in Nursing, Nursing (RN to BSN), BS to BSN, Nursing (RN), Practical Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Health Information Management, Physical Therapist Assistant, Massage Therapy, Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, Radiography, Sonography, Surgical Technology; TECHNOLOGY: Master of Science in Information Systems, Master of Science in Cybersecurity, Cyber and Network Security, Information Systems, Software Development, Cloud Computing, Web Development, Electronics Engineering Technology, Mechatronics/Advanced Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering Technology; BUSINESS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE: Master of Business Administration (MBA), Accounting, Business Administration, IT Management, Hospitality Management, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security; CULINARY: Culinary Arts, Culinary Nutrition, Food Service Management, Baking and Pastry Arts. (Program field availability varies by campus.) For more information, visit www.ecpi.edu.
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