Luke Ackerman
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Esports Management minor at York College ‘isn’t just fun and games’—It’s serious business
When people think of a career in esports, they might imagine someone playing video games for a living. But, far beyond the competitive tournaments and training, there’s a serious business side to the growing field of esports.
York College of Pennsylvania launched its Esports Management minor this past fall, offering students the chance to learn skills in event planning, marketing, business and law—all components of the esports industry, says Molly Sauder, Associate Professor and Chair of the Sport Management and Sport Media programs.
“A good college should stay current and understand what’s going to be beneficial for students,” Sauder says. “If we don’t pay attention to what is rising in terms of student interests and industry needs, we’re not really doing our job. York College has made that a real priority.”
More than video games
The Esports Club at York College has given students an opportunity to compete in tournaments and refine their gaming skills. Within the club, students gain the experience of teamwork, strategic thinking, and handling pressure. For some, it includes leadership skills, from running the club, improving organization, advancing the group, and managing a budget.
With the addition of the minor, students receive instruction on the management side of esports. Courses include Facility and Event Management, Sport Marketing, E-Commerce, Sport Sales and Ticket Operation, and Legal Foundations of Information Security and Privacy Law.
It’s a minor that would be complementary to a range of majors, Sauder adds. From Business to Marketing and Sociology or Computer Science, there is a range of expertise needed to successfully run an esports enterprise.
“I’m excited to see people with very different areas of emphasis coming together,” Sauder says. “That synergy is really important to a successful program, and Esports Management will lend itself to that. It isn’t just fun and games; it’s a growing opportunity.”