Will Compete Nationwide in World’s Fastest Growing Sport
Richmond, VA – ECPI University is proud to announce it is expanding its eSports team to include all Richmond campus locations. Competing as the ECPI University Rams, the University’s Virginia Beach and Newport News campuses were among the first schools to join the National Association of Collegiate eSports (NACE) and now competes against more than 130 colleges and universities across the nation.
Signing day for Richmond students is scheduled for Friday, May 31 at 10:00 am at the Richmond/Innsbrook campus, located at 4305 Cox Road in Glen Allen. Twenty-one students will receive scholarships of between $1,600 and $3,200 with the potential to earn an additional $5,000 if they make the playoffs in the national tournament.
“ECPI University has a longstanding tradition of leading the way locally and nationally for non-traditional learning and success,” says ECPI University Athletic Director Mike Glover. “eSports is growing fast, and this is something our students are telling us that they want as a part of their college experience.”
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.
Not long ago, The Wall Street Journal 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, Florida, and Texas, 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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