Robert Morris University Illinois is offering hefty scholarship for players of one game in particular, League of Legends, which has become one of the most popular games for organized team competitions, according to The Associated Press.
The university announced its new program this month and said it recognizes the growing legitimacy of what are known as "eSports," the AP reported. The school says it also wants to give credit to those with a competitive spirit who don't necessarily want to play traditional sports such as basketball or football.
Starting this fall, the scholarships will cover up to 50 percent of tuition and 50 percent of room and board. That's worth up to $19,000 per student, according to the AP. Robert Morris says it is among the first in the nation to offer such substantial scholarships of this type.
Associate Athletic Director Kurt Melcher, who will be in charge of the school's new varsity eSports program, said Friday that he expected a certain amount of surprise and attention, but was surprised by just how much feedback he's getting, according to the AP.
"It's interesting. There's two sides: There's the gamers side, who feel like they've been vindicated or liberated. Then there's the hardcore athletes side, who say, 'What do you mean? That's not a sport,'" Melcher said, the AP reported.
Melcher said League of Legends is a competitive game that demands team strategy and mental prowess, and spending money to recruit the best will deliver the types of committed students who are drawn by scholarships for traditional sports, according to the AP. The school is even hiring a coach for its team.
