Ohio State University is hosting the first standalone scholastic awards event. The Scholastic Esports Awards will present awards for excellence and work in K-12 and college level esports.
The event is scheduled to take place at the Ohio Union and the Esports Arena on OSU’s campus on Jan. 11 and 12.
“The world of esports and education has just exploded in the last 10 years, and it has grown at such a staggering rate,” said John Price, the manager of esports at OSU. “Many state institutions and such have recognized esports at the high school and even middle school level now as not only an activity, but in many states it is an official sport.”
Price said that Ohio State was approached by the Worthington-based company, Esports Foundry, to host the event. The company says that their goal with the event is to advance scholastic esports.
The event will also have panels, social activities and a combine for players to show off their skills and possibly get recruited to a college or professional team. Some participating colleges are also offering scholarships to players.
Games being played at the event include Rocket League, Overwatch, Super Smash Bros., League of Legends and Valorant.
Price has optimism about the growth of esports. More than 200 colleges and universities in the U.S. currently recognize esports on the varsity level.
“In the next 5 or 10 years, esports is just going to become more and more commonplace,” Price said. “I often tell people it's like, we're not building for next year, we're building for the next generation. Esports is already growing so quickly in the primary and secondary areas, it's just a matter of time, as it continues to develop further, not only in collegiate, but also on the professional scene.”