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7 reasons video games could land your kid a college scholarship

Believe it or not, all of the time your kids are spending playing video games may help send them to college! Monday, Nov. 19, at 5:30 p.m. News Center 7's Jim Otte shows you where millions of dollars of gaming scholarships are available, and how your kids can turn that gaming addiction into big bucks.

That video game obsession your child has could just them a college scholarship.

Colleges are not only recruiting students for “eSports” teams but some are actually offering scholarships for gaming. Here’s what we know:

Your kids can go to college by playing video games 

1. LEAGUE OF LEGENDS The Big Ten Network is airing a "League of Legends" competition between Ohio State and Michigan State this spring. League of Legends is a fast-paced, team-oriented (5-v-5) online game of skill and strategy with more than 100 million monthly active players worldwide.

2. ESPN PROGRAMMING ESPN has already started airing similar programming and launched an entire section on ESPN.com devoted to news from eSports.

3. ESPORTS TEAMS The Toledo Blade reports Lourdes University in Sylvania (near Toledo) is recruiting men and women to fill eSports teams.

4. SCHOLARSHIPS Other universities in the state are offering scholarships for gaming. Ashland University in Ohio is offering a new $4,000 scholarship to talented Fortnite players. "Fortnite Battle Royale" was offered in fall 2018 as part of the university's eSports program.

Parents hire video game tutors to help children improve at playing Fortnite

Scholarships will be awarded to players based on skill level and academic requirements.

5. SOME BACKLASH The University of Akron created an eSports program in 2017, citing it would attract top students while "providing an innovative pathway for students to flourish academically, socially and professionally." The decision prompted backlash from some. The Ohio Conference of the American Association of University Professors said at the time that Akron prioritized video games over academics.

6. OHIO COLLEGES CASH IN Dozens of colleges and universities have eSports teams. Ohio institutions with eSports teams include: Ashland University, Defiance College, Lourdes University, Miami University, Ohio Northern University, Shawnee State University, Tiffin University, University of Akron, University of Mount Union, according to ESPN.

7. HUGE MARKET In 2017, the global eSports market was valued at nearly $493 million. By 2020, eSports is estimated to be a $1.5 billion industry, according to Populous market research.

By the way of disclosure, our parent firm, Cox Enterprises, has invested in an eSports team in Atlanta.

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