A new study by the AP is causing some discussion within the rapidly growing esports community. The study involved data from 56 different public schools in the US, all members of the National Association of Collegiate Esports. Using this information, the AP states that 88.5% of esports scholarship funds are going to male game players. And further, that 90.5% of overall roster spots on varsity esports teams from these schools are held by men, as well.
The AP speculates that the slant toward male esports players could be due to a lack of a governing body for college esports groups. For example, college sports overseen by the NCAA have to hold to Title IX rules that require women and men be provided equitable opportunities in sports, equal facilities and equipment, but with scholarship dollars proportional to participation. However, esports groups are largely kept out of schools’ pathetic departments, which keeps them free of those regulations.
While the AP doesn’t provide specifics regarding the ratio of women to men in the programs it surveyed. It does say that it found only one program with 50-50 representation, which was found at the University of South Carolina-Sumter. The team’s coach, Kriss Weissman, says they, “didn’t do anything special,” but rather, “made sure that we had an open and appealing program to anyone and everyone.”
While again not providing any specific statistics on the matter, the AP says that games like League of Legends, Madden, and Call of Duty are typically “male-dominated” in collegiate esports programs. Overwatch, on the other hand, has more women participating than other games. One coach at a private all-girls school compares the game selection in esports groups to a “movie club that only watches ‘Die Hard,’ ” recommending that a broader diversity in available games could help encourage girls and women to participate.
Source: AP
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