Perceptions of NCAA Division II and III Athletic directors regarding the emergence of e-sports

ABSTRACT

This study assessed perspectives of NCAA D-II and D-III Athletics Directors (ADs) regarding the possible implementation of competitive e-Sports on college campuses. It examines if ADs view e-Sports as a legitimate sport in parallel with others that are traditionally offered by athletic departments, and their perspective regarding where on college campuses e-Sports should be housed. Results demonstrated that ADs view e-Sports differently than other sport programs (F = 13.439; p = .001), and this was key in determining where they thought e-Sports programs should be administered (F = 6.696; p = .013). However, some expressed a willingness to consider implementing e-Sports due to the opportunity it could present (F = 2.209; p = .021). These results suggest that an apparent conflict exists between ADs’ perceptions of e-Sports and of its potential as a growth opportunity. However, if colleges decide to implement e-Sports as an athletic program, consideration should be given to governance concerns, budgetary concerns, and the health and wellness of participants.

KEYWORDS:

• E-sports
• NCAA
• athletic directors
• intercollegiate athletics
• student affairs
• gaming
• Division II
• Division III‌ ‌

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Connecticut State University-AAUP.

Notes on contributors

Raymond J. Cotrufo

Raymond J. Cotrufo is an Associate Professor of Sport Management at Southern Connecticut State University.

James F. MacGregor

James F. MacGregor is a Professor and Chair of the Recreation, Tourism, & Sport Management Department at Southern Connecticut State University.

Kevin T. McGinniss

Kevin T. McGinniss is an Assistant Professor of Sport Management at Southern Connecticut State University.