Understanding Collegiate Esports: A Practitioner?s Guide to Developing Community and Competition

As esports is one of the new and rapidly growing sports programs at the collegiate level, today’s campus leaders are increasingly asked to navigate the complexity of esports. This practical volume helps higher education professionals understand the expanding role of collegiate esports, describing the ecosystem of college esports and the experience for college players, as well as the connections between gaming and career preparation. Chapter authors offer an overview and practical look at the main structures and issues facing collegiate esports programs, athletes, and administrators. Chapters address the needs of the campus gaming community, building gender and racial inclusivity, athlete health, amateurism and the esports athlete, the role of the technology industry, governance, career paths, and coaching. This cutting-edge volume offers information to support campus leaders and practitioners in building and expanding collegiate esports programs in the quickly growing and changing aspects of both online and face-to-face campus communities.

Jennifer Lee Hoffman is an Associate Professor of Educational Foundations, Leadership, and Policy and faculty in the Center for Leadership in Athletics at the University of Washington, USA. Dr. Hoffman was the recipient of ASHE’s 2021 Special Merit Award.

Regena Pauketat is a doctoral student of Educational Foundations, Leadership, and Policy and a Research Assistant in the Center for Leadership in Athletics at the University of Washington, USA.

Kelsey A. Varzeas is a doctoral candidate of Higher Education and Student Affairs at The Ohio State University, USA.