What's Happening in Lakeland, FL…

Florida Southern College in Lakeland will become part of the eSports scene in January.

Instead of playing a physical game on a field, eSports is centered on video game competitions, and has enjoyed a surge in popularity in recent years. State colleges such as Florida Gulf Coast, Florida State, and the University of South Florida already have an eSports program.

NACE, The National Association of Collegiate eSports, has a similar method of handling the eSports league as the National Basketball Association does for basketball. Although athletes do not compete on the court with a physical ball, they use gaming computers and accessories, and play games in conditions that are better suited for virtual gamers.

According to Anne Kerr, the president of the college, she introduced the program because it fit the interests of the modern student. Many are majoring in computer science and with interests changing, and she believes the college needed to adapt.

When students began talking about eSports, staff at the college began researching the opportunity. Kerr expects it to evolve with the next generation known as the iGen, who have grown up with the latest technology. She acknowledges that those entering college now have different knowledge and interest sets to her own, so the college will need to work closely with them.

Gaming athletic programs are new and often need modern logo designs to reflect their cutting-edge nature.