How Collegiate Esports Programs Are Shaping Careers and Building Communities

In my years working with collegiate esports programs, I’ve seen too many teams make the same costly mistake: they put most of their efforts on talent. While recruiting top players is a great start, I’ve found that this approach alone rarely creates a program that endures or thrives. Having seen programs come and go or the ones that are currently in a financial struggle, I understand firsthand why talent alone won’t sustain success, and why many leaders overlook the deeper, long-term elements essential for building a resilient program.

On the surface, bringing in high-ranking players feels like the key. But the truth is, without a solid structure—support systems, coaching, community engagement, and future planning—these talented rosters can fail under the pressure of balancing academics, mental health, and the competitive expectations placed on them. Programs that don’t provide the right support risk burning out players, struggling with retention, and ultimately facing a lack of lasting impact.

One program I worked with had this exact challenge. They were eager to compete with top schools and recruited a star roster. However, the absence of academic resources made them fall behind in school. By adding academic support services, a coach focused on player well-being, and setting clear guidelines around training, we turned things around, building a solid framework that allowed students to thrive both in and out of the game. Not only that, that start roster didn’t last for long because it wasn’t financially viable for the university and they didn’t recruit the additional number of students in the following semesters as they predicted.

The Building a Winning Program

Collegiate esports can be a vehicle for teaching students valuable skills that go beyond gaming, preparing them for a wide array of careers.

Broadcasting and Production:

Many esports programs already produce live-streamed matches, but involving students in this process can be incredibly beneficial. Allowing students to take on roles such as shoutcasters, production assistants, and technical support provides hands-on experience in live broadcasting, which is invaluable for media, journalism, and production careers. These roles also enhance public speaking, technical troubleshooting, and live event management skills.

Content Creation and Social Media Management:

Content creation is a cornerstone of modern esports. Programs should offer students opportunities to create video recaps, social media highlights, and written analyses. By managing content channels, students learn about audience engagement, brand storytelling, and video editing. These experiences directly translate to careers in digital marketing, social media management, and content production—skills that are highly marketable in various industries.

Marketing and Event Management:

Organizing esports tournaments, fan meet-ups, or even regular scrimmages helps students understand event logistics, budgeting, and promotional strategies. Students can manage everything from securing sponsorships to designing event marketing plans, which are foundational skills in marketing, sales, and business development roles. Through these events, they learn project management, communication, and creative problem-solving, all of which make them valuable candidates in the workforce.

Starting Local for Lasting Community Engagement

One common mistake in collegiate esports is trying to scale up community engagement too quickly, often aiming for national or international audiences without solidifying a local fan base. Establishing a loyal local following creates a solid foundation of support, which can be amplified as the program grows.

By starting locally, the program can create connections with students, faculty, and alumni who may not be dedicated gamers but who appreciate the school’s activities. Hosting local tournaments or inviting nearby high schools to participate or attend esports events helps increase awareness and engagement, creating a fanbase that will rally behind the team and spread the word organically.

Local connections also build brand loyalty. Establishing partnerships with local businesses, like gaming cafes or tech stores, creates sponsorship opportunities that are rooted in community support. Additionally, it allows students to network within the local industry, which can lead to internship opportunities and job placements after graduation.

Starting local helps the program solidify processes, build a consistent brand identity, and refine engagement tactics, creating a stable base for national and international expansion. Once local support is thriving, the program can then look to scale its brand presence to a broader audience, bringing the local community along for the journey.

Quality infrastructure isn’t just a nice-to-have in collegiate esports—it’s a critical component in both attracting and retaining talent. By investing in state-of-the-art facilities, universities send a clear message to prospective players, students, and partners that they are serious about esports and student development. Here’s how infrastructure plays a pivotal role:

High-quality equipment, dedicated gaming arenas, and training facilities give students the resources to improve their skills at a competitive level. When players see that the university is invested in their growth, they are more likely to stay with the program rather than transferring to a better-equipped school. Facilities with cutting-edge technology also appeal to tech and media students who are interested in production and broadcasting, broadening the program’s reach and influence.

A well-developed infrastructure can attract sponsorship from tech companies, gaming brands, and local businesses who see the facility as a valuable branding opportunity. These partnerships, in turn, can help fund scholarships, upgrades, and events, all of which enhance the program’s reputation and longevity.

Benefits of Building for the Long Game

By building a program that emphasizes holistic skill development, local community engagement, and robust infrastructure, collegiate esports teams can grow beyond wins and losses to become integral parts of their universities. When students graduate, they leave not only as skilled players but as experienced professionals ready for careers in media, marketing, tech, and beyond.

Such a program positions a university not just as a competitor in esports but as a career incubator for the next generation of digital media professionals. In the end, it’s about creating a program that alumni, students, and faculty are proud to support—an ecosystem that will continue to thrive as long as it’s built on a solid foundation.

For those who share a vision of adding value to collegiate esports, I’d love to connect and exchange insights on creating impactful programs. Let’s connect and continue shaping collegiate esports together.