How Gaming is Revolutionizing College Life for Student-Athletes

The rapid improvements and advancements in technology have largely defined the 21st century up to this point.

Smartphones today are even more advanced than the computer used for the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. Apollo 11 was the milestone mission in which humans stepped foot on the moon for the first time ever. American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first and second humans to walk on the moon, respectively.

Aside from smartphones, the booming technology era also includes the ever-growing popularity in video games. So much so that there are now professional esports leagues such as the Call of Duty League and the League of Legends World Championship that millions across the world follow.

Esports and video games have played a huge role in entertaining college student-athletes across the world, too. Take a look at the state of Ohio, one of America’s prospering states in the esports world.

Sports betting launched in the state of Ohio back in January. Now customers can take advantage of a Caesars Ohio promo codes as eports continues to grow, and we are sure to see more universities and collages adding esports teams over time.

Caesars Ohio is offering new customers a special promo where you can get up to $1,250 in bonus bets plus 1,000 in reward and tier credits. Caesars Ohio allows residents of The Buckeye State to place wagers on their favorite professional and college teams like the Cleveland Guardians, Cincinnati Bengals and Ohio State Buckeyes.

Esports: Growing In Ohio & Across The U.S.

As noted above, Ohio has emerged as a national leader in the world of esports.

DailyGame, a popular video gaming review website, listed the University of Akron as the No. 2 esport college in the U.S, behind only Maryville University in Town and Country, Missouri. Here’s what DailyGame said:

“Unlike many other schools, the school offers a wide range of games. Its seven varsity-level teams include experts at Fortnite, Rainbow 6 Siege, Rocket League, Overwatch, LoL, and Hearthstone, amongst others…

 For budding eSports learners, the University of Akron is an exciting pick. You’d have access to early classes, a practice arena, tutoring, assignments help, group study, a $1000 eSport scholarship, and exciting competitions. The college offers one of the most robust eSports programs in the US and beyond.”

The University of Akron has several varsity programs devoted to esports leagues, including Call of Duty and League of Legends. The university is also planning to introduce a team for Super Smash Brothers.

Akron is also handing out scholarships to keen esports gamers. As well, they’re eyeing students in programs like computer science and communications to help with their esports league programs and players.

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— Akron Football (@ZipsFB) June 28, 2023

Over at Ohio State University, the program supports four popular video game series: League of Legends, Rocket League, Overwatch and Valorant. In fact, the school is holding tryouts for all these teams later this summer.

The university has its own designated Esports arena that is located inside the Lincoln Tower.

These, of course, are only two of the many universities in the U.S. that have devoted programs to esports leagues. Not only do esports bring more recreation to day-to-day student life, but they also go a long way in helping gamers socialize more and thus form close friendships.

Pro Athletes Love Gaming, Too

It’s no secret that even professional athletes love playing video games, so why should it be any different for student-athletes?

For example, veteran NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater revealed ahead of his rookie 2014 season that the EA Sports’ “Madden NFL” video game helped him learn the Minnesota Vikings’ playbook.

“It helps because you get one more rep than you had in practice, actual practice,” Bridgewater said at the time, per ESPN’s Ben Goessling. “Any chance you get to take an extra rep or go the extra step, extra mile, it’s going to be very beneficial transferring it to the field.”

Bridgewater was drafted 32nd overall by the Vikings in 2014. He had a stellar rookie season and earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2015 after helping Minnesota to a surprise NFC North division crown in 2015.

As well, Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback Kyler Murray has a well-documented love for Call of Duty. The subject came up aplenty during the 2022 offseason and regular season, with the Cardinals implementing a study clause in his $230.5 million extension.

The organization received plenty of backlash over the study clause, so it was subsequently taken out. Patrick Peterson, Murray’s former teammate, even trolled the quarterback with a “Call of Duty” celebration following a Vikings’ interception.

Players on the 2018 World Series champion Boston Red Sox roster bonded through the Fortnite video game, though there were conflicting reports in 2019 about the team banning the game in the clubhouse.

And those 2018 Red Sox absolutely dominated throughout the year, winning 108 games and dropping just three postseason contests en route to the franchise’s fourth Fall Classic trophy in 14 years.