In an Olympics year, the artistry and prowess that the human body can achieve is put on magnificent display. Whether it’s Simone Biles‘ ability to all but take flight, or Gabriel Medina’s nonchalant dominance of wind and waves, we are endlessly seeing the physically best of us at their heights. And it’s spectacular.
This display might seem the polar opposite of another category of “sports” that is getting underway with the start of the school year. It’s a type of sport prefaced with an “e,” the way our mail now is: esports, and they are popular on college campuses across the country.
The middle-aged have perhaps not yet heard of it. But esports are growing in demand at both secular and Catholic universities. And while an initial reaction might be along the lines of “we’ve given in to the enemy,” those who are leading esports teams and departments have another story to tell.
“What makes it unique is that it brings together students of all backgrounds and experiences under a common bond of healthy competition,” explained Steven S. Wettergren, director of accreditation and esports director at the University of St. Francis in Illinois.
While the Olympics are a clear reminder that not all of us can succeed at physical sports, esports “create a more inclusive environment that breaks down barriers for many students,” he said.
That’s not all, though. Wettergren says esports are actually an opportunity to embrace for many reasons.
“These games require real skills including teamwork, leadership, communication, strategy development, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity and perseverance. These skills extend beyond just the game environment. They are the same that employers are asking for and are required for success in the modern workplace.”
Wettergren added: “As esports continue to grow in popularity, I think colleges should recognize it as an opportunity.”
A bridge
Across the country, in Texas, Jonathan Baadsgaard, the esports director for the University of St. Thomas, sees similar positive elements, and no contradiction at all with the university’s firmly Catholic identity.
“Esports are providing us with an opportunity to reach a new generation of students,” he explained. “Our esports program and game design curriculum serve as bridges between traditional Catholic education and the realities of the modern world, demonstrating that faith and contemporary culture can engage in fruitful dialogue.”
While Baadsgaard acknowledges the various documented negative side-effects of video game use, he maintained: “As is the case with many things, we’ve recognized that too much of anything can easily have a negative impact on a life. Esports is no different; an extensive amount of video game use can lead to a variety of issues.”
“Esports are providing us with an opportunity to reach a new generation of students. Our esports program and game design curriculum serve as bridges between traditional Catholic education and the realities of the modern world, demonstrating that faith and contemporary culture can engage in fruitful dialogue.”
Jonathan Baadsgaard
But at the same time, he insisted, “we also recognize the vast number of opportunities and positive outcomes that result from esports. It provides students with opportunities of intellectual growth, social development, ethical formation, and the ability to be stewards of technology. It also provides opportunities for students to engage in competition, when they’d otherwise be unable to. On a personal note, I was injured badly as a child while competing in physical sports. My outlet for competition and team sportsmanship was replaced by the ability to compete in esports.”
For Baadsgaard, a focus on holistic development and transferable skills, such as strategic thinking and quick decision-making, is key to counteract the threat of possible negative side-effects.
Aiming for fitness
George Bauman, the director of fitness, recreational sports and wellness at The Catholic University of America, notes an important point: “There are indeed physical aspects to fitness, but there are also mental and emotional aspects.”
Esports can be a positive element in overall fitness, he suggested. “Esports offers avenues for students to find outlets among their busy lives in a controlled atmosphere. The titles they compete in and play are competitive, and offer stimulation, as well as a way for them to unwind. At the end of the day, it makes them happy and increases their sense of belonging within the campus as a whole.”
Emphasizing that students are encouraged to be involved in a number and range of activities, Bauman noted similar positive elements as those pointed out at other universities, especially the sense of belonging and engagement, and real-life, transferable skills.
For generations distant from these opportunities, it might be hard to envision. But in some ways, esports aren’t so different from other competitive or cultural activities, from marching band to swim team.
At Catholic U, for example, there’s an esports lounge open seven days a week to all students. Some of the teams are competitive and require try-outs. In order to make the team, players naturally have to have developed dominance of the game. The competitors practice together, either physically in the lounge or online. And they have league matchups.
“The majority of competitions happen online, as the schools are located throughout the country,” explained Bauman. But “there are chances to compete in person, locally, regionally and nationally throughout the year if teams are interested, and if they qualify for some of the nationally ranked competitions.”
Hoping for growth
The competitors are enthusiastic about the opportunities their colleges are providing them.
“Becoming a part of USF esports has been a highlight of my life,” said James Dvorak of University of St. Francis. “As a coach, I’ve learned valuable skills in time management, communication and decision-making. As a player, I’ve learned to strengthen and support my teammates’ talents, cover them in their weak spots, and be a good sport for wins as well as losses.”
Dvorak sees more than just competition in these games. “A group of people bonding over something they enjoy is the foundation for a positive, healthy community,” he said, “and the community I’m a part of is one that I hope only continues to grow just as we do on our journey through college.”
Not just games, but careers
It’s not surprising that esports is not just something students want as an extracurricular activity. Many are eyeing this diversion as their future career path.
A variety of Catholic universities have jumped on board in offering majors or degrees focused on this area. Some, such as Sacred Heart in Connecticut, offer a minor specifically in esports. Others are centered on artistic or communications elements related to this area, such as Catholic U’s 3D animation and character design concentration.
John Paul the Great Catholic University is seeking to be a leader in the field, with a game development emphasis as part of their Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts.
“People complain about a lack of moral presence in Hollywood and in the game world. And our idea is, someone’s got to start somewhere.”
James Crowell
Mission advancement officer James Crowell explained how JP Catholic has taken up game development as part of its “project-based education” style, always with the overall goal of impacting the culture for Christ. Students in the game design program might finish their education having created, designed and launched a game, from start to finish. This is in fact what happened notably in 2019, with the creation and launch of a quite successful game called Shepherd of Light.
“Certainly there are a lot of people who are very hesitant to get into video games,” admits Crowell. He acknowledged that, unlike physical sports, which is basically naturally healthy, gaming has to be taken with caution. “But that doesn’t mean that there’s not beauty in that tool,” he said.
“Look, these are the new frontiers, and they’re going to continue developing, whether we like it or not. People complain about a lack of moral presence in Hollywood and in the game world. And our idea is, someone’s got to start somewhere. So we want to start here and take some of the teachings of our namesake, John Paul II, and find the beauty in these things.”
As Crowell affirms, gaming isn’t likely to go away anytime soon, or ever. Developing games with a moral voice is one way to bring the light of the Gospel into this realm. Fostering human values and skills through esports is another.
And here’s something to consider. Perhaps the magnificent displays at the Olympics are less and less distant from the esports world. This summer, the executive board of the Olympics committee announced that there will be a new event in 2025 in Saudi Arabia: the Olympic Esports Games.
