More than a game: Manchester launches esports management business minor
Manchester University announced Saturday, Nov. 19 that the Arthur L. Gilbert College of Business is launching an esports management minor.
There was an audible gasp as Vice President Ryon Kaopuki made the announcement during the Spartan Smash 2022 invitational for high school Super Smash Bros. Ultimate players. Two hundred high school students took part in the invitational, with students representing 40 schools and four states.
Esports is big business. The global competitive gaming industry has grown exponentially in recent years, with projected growth at 21.9 percent over the next eight years and annual revenue of $12 billion, according to businesswire.com.
“There is a high demand for professionals who understands the management side of esports,” said Sun Kang, Manchester associate professor of sport management. “The knowledge students will gain from learning about the complex esports ecosystem, such as the dynamics of esports teams, business opportunities that exist in marketing, sponsorship, event planning and facility management, will help students be a part of this growing industry.”
Manchester is one of the few schools in the U.S. to offer an esports management minor. Paired with a major – such as business management, marketing, sport management, data science, digital media or education – an MU minor in esports management allows students to follow their passion for esports in whatever capacity they choose.
Students will study the roles of esports coaches and managers at all levels, including youth, amateur, university and professional. They will focus on coaching concepts and strategies related to communication, training, psychological and mental health, team building and talent management, as well as budgeting and financial planning.
Manchester has varsity-level esports teams that compete in Super Smash Bros., League of Legends, Fortnite, Valorant, Rocket League and Overwatch. Since its beginning in 2019, the program has grown to more than 80 players, and the Manchester Smash team won the Great Lakes Esports Conference four consecutive times, the most recent on Nov. 12.
Esports scholarships are available for those on MU teams.
Garrett Schieferstein, a 2019 Manchester graduate, is director of the varsity-level program. The esports arena takes up one full floor of Calvin Ulrey Hall on the North Manchester campus.
For the media
Dr. Sun Kang can be reached at
sjkang@manchester.edu.
Garrett Schieferstein can be reached at
esports@manchester.edu.
The announcement Saturday was made by Vice President Ryon Kaopuiki. He can be reached at
rdkaopuiki@manchester.edu.
Businesswire.com:
“Worldwide Esports Industry is Expected to Reach $12.4 Billion by 2030” Manchester varsity-level esports at Manchester Follow @MU_esport on Twitter.
Business majors and minors at Manchester Manchester University, in North Manchester and Fort Wayne, Ind., offers vibrant and transformative student experiences. Learn more at
www.manchester.edu/about-manchester.
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November 2022