Student video gamers at Ashland University of Ohio will have the opportunity to earn scholarships and become e-sport collegiate athletes for playing the video game, Fortnite, starting this fall.
Members of the collegiate e-sports roster will earn up to $4,000 in scholarships for their Fortnite capabilities. The proposed scholarships are being funded by professional gaming chair company OPSEAT, in addition to mouse pad provider Sloth Esports.
A full-time student at Ashland can expect to pay more than $31,000 to attend the private Christian university, so earning $4,000 to sit in front of a computer screen and shoot digitized zombies is a no-brainer for many.
Fortnite will join a myriad of other popular video game titles that will be offered this fall by the university, including Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, League of Legends, Overwatch, and Rocket League.
“The growth of Fortnite has been astounding to witness and getting players into structured practices ahead of the launch of a collegiate league will be extremely beneficial to our program,” Ashland esports head coach Josh Buchanan said in a statement.
Construction for an official gaming center will begin on campus shortly at the lower level of Ashland’s university library. The planned center will include a total of 25 gaming stations and multiple gaming computers.
“We’re excited to provide this platform for gamers who want to showcase their skills in a more competitive space,” Buchanan added. “Fortnite facilitates an environment that allows players to get creative, innovate and show off their mastery of their skills.”
While the scholarship and e-sports team is a serious venture for Ashland University, many online find the entire ordeal comical and others have serious questions.
I know Ashland is whack but who knew the university would really give out a scholarship for Fortnite ?
— kel ☾➳ (@Kelynn_06) April 23, 2018
I am happy to announce that I have decommitted from Western University Medical School to continue my fortnite career at Ashland University! #D1bound #godsplan pic.twitter.com/XGNSqh5Y1F
— Gummy Bear (@Austin_Kleint) April 24, 2018
When I was in college, Ashland University was in several millions of dollars in debt and certain programs and buildings/parking lots/general infrastructure were NOT receiving the financial attention they needed… now they have a Fortnite scholarship…? I have questions
— noelle lauren (@nachonolie) April 25, 2018
Ashland is the first collegiate program to offer the Fortnite title in it’s e-sports lineup.
