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

Description

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. Cover Endorsement Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Detailed Contents Foreword Preface Acknowledgements Contributor Biographies Chapter 1 Video Games Go to College Esports AND Its Rich Origins On Campus Today’s Collegiate Esports The College Esports Ecosystem Into the Classroom: Game-Based Learning in Colleges and Universities Game-Based Learning AND Student Success The Promise AND Peril of Video Games Conclusion: Esports as Innovation in Higher Education References Chapter 2 Using Esports to Amplify Historically Black Colleges and Universities : Shifting the Narrative Race, Gaming, AND HBCUs Gaming, Race, and Culture HBCUs, Racism, and Parallels With Tsports Amplifying HBCUs’ Value in College Esports Recommendations Future Research Conclusion References Chapter 3 Confronting Toxicity in Esports and Building Inclusive Environments: Challenging “It’s Just Part of The Game” ... Introduction Toxicity and Harassment in Esports Gendered Spaces Title IX, Clery Act, and Campus Save Act Racialized Spaces Strategies for More Inclusive Gaming Environments Policies and Standards Training and Supporting Players Recruitment Strategies Diversity in Platform and Game Titles Conclusion References Chapter 4 Mental Health and Wellness for the Esports Student-Athlete Introduction Conceptualizing Mental Health and Wellness Mental Health and Wellness for Esports Student-Athletes Potential Risks for Esports Student-Athletes Potential Benefits for Esports Student-Athletes Cognitive Fatigue CF and Traditional Sport Student-Athletes CF and Esports Student-Athletes Practitioner Applications Conclusion References Chapter 5 Coaching in Esports: Promoting Well-Being and Performance Why Esports Well-Being? How Do Esports Coaches Support Well-Being? How College Esports Coaches Understand Well-Being Implications for Coaching and Well-Being in College Esports The Future of Coaching College Esports References Chapter 6 (E)sports Medicine On Campus Is Esports a Sport? Gamers Can Get Injured Chronic Compression Versus Repetitive Strain Chronic Compression: Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Repetitive Strain: Extensor Carpi Ulnaris Tendonitis Barriers to Collegiate Esports Player Health Media Coverage Shapes Injury Awareness The Poorly Developed Path to College Lack of Athletic Trainers Deficiency in Informed Medical Professionals Esports Culture Injury Prevention, Fitness, AND Setup Considerations Eye Health Esports Nutrition The Ergonomics of Gaming Posture Postural Guidelines Console Posture Peripheral Specifications Monitor Mouse Keyboard Console Controller Building a Healthy Campus Esports Program Mental Health in the Esports Athlete Conclusion Common Video Gaming Injuries Quick Reference Guide Basic Concepts Upper Extremity Injuries Gamer’s Thumb Cause Signs and Symptoms Prevention and Treatment Intersection Syndrome Wrist Extensor Injuries Cause Signs and Symptoms Prevention and Treatment Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Cause Signs and Symptoms Prevention and Treatment Radial Sensory Neuritis Cause Signs and Symptoms Prevention and Treatment Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Cause Signs and Symptoms Prevention and Treatment Neck and Back Injuries Mechanical Back Pain Postural Dysfunctions References Chapter 7 Organizing and Governing Collegiate Esports Esports 101: The Basics The Three Models of Campus Esports Programs College Esports Governance and Game Play Intellectual Property and Competitive Events Non-Developer Governance Organizations Issues for Governance in Esports The Evolution of Traditional College Sports The Enrollment Cliff Looking to the Future of Esports Governance References Chapter 8 Community, Career, and Competition: The University of Washington and the Future of Esports Program Building Cultivating Community: Starting With Students Cultivating Campus Community Buy-In Cultivating a Diverse Community and Inviting Climate Cultivating Community Engagement Career Development: More Than a Game Developing Career Skills in Gameplay Settings Developing Career Skills With Industry and Campus Collaborations Competition: Leveling Up Collegiate Athletics Facilities and Program Models Competitive Program Purpose and Opportunities Competitive Program Purpose and Its Role On Campus Centering the Student Experience References Chapter 9 Establishing a Conference Esports Program and Related Legal Issues: for Collegiate Esports Frameworks for Forming a Collegiate Conference Esports League Competition Frameworks Sponsorship and Event Frameworks Administrative Frameworks Legal Issues to Consider at the Conference Level Title IX Intellectual Property Rights and Game Selection Streaming Platforms and Streaming Rights Comparing Esports to Tsports: No Such Thing as Amateurism Observation: The Lack of an Overarching Governance Structure Concluding Thoughts From a Conference Administrator References Index