Hampton gets big gift to create ESports lab

Courtesy: Hampton University

HAMPTON, Va. (July 25, 2019) — The Hampton University Department of Sports Management secured a $340,658 technology grant from the Department of Homeland Security to create an Esports lab, offering courses in Esports to students.

“This is a great example of how Hampton University continues to be ahead of the game. We always provide students with the best opportunities to excel and advance in whatever profession they choose. We are excited to see the elevation of this new addition to our campus,” Hampton University President, Dr. William R. Harvey said.

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Esports or electronic sports is a competition using video games, taking the form of organized, multiplayer video game competitions, particularly between professional players, individually or as teams. Fortnite, League of Legends, Counter-Strike, Call of Duty, Overwatch and Madden NFL are the most popular at-home video games for gamers. The gamers are watched as they play and followed by millions of fans all over the world. Fans attend live events or tune in on TV or online.

“Esports is the newest thing in sports management. Since 2016, there has been $16 million allocated for Esports Scholarships. Many African Americans have not been afforded these opportunities. There is a void in diversity between HBCUs and the history of the white institution level. I’m looking to increase the diversity in Esports and also have a revenue opportunity for this institution at the same time,” said David C. Hughes, Instructor of Sports Management .

With this technology grant, Mr. Hughes will create an Esports lab on campus and spearhead the curriculum change that will allow Hampton University to offer courses.

“The first thing we have to do is create a lab, then we’ll offer a concentration in Esports at the graduate level. In the lab, we’ll have TV’s, video games, computers, and people can practice their craft of playing video games,” said Hughes. “They can learn how to play a video game, play with each other and against each other. The lab will be on the fifth floor of the library. We have a goal to kick things off summer 2020.”

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