Midwest High School eSports Recruiting Combine

Parks & Recreation Hosts Opportunity for Collegiate eSports

Traditionally, when someone thinks about being scouted by a college for athletics, basketball, football and other similar sports come to mind. But now, eSports, a competitive sport using video games, have been added to that athletic scouting list. Local colleges have started expanding their eSports departments, integrating it into class curriculum and are even offering monetary scholarships for prospective students interested in majoring in eSports.

With the rise in popularity of eSports spreading into college spaces, Westerville Parks and Recreation is proud to partner with 99ovr, an eSports marketing agency, to bring an innovative eSports combine to the Westerville Community Center (350 N. Cleveland Ave.) on Saturday, April 27.

This day-long event will provide an opportunity for high school freshmen through seniors to engage in head-to-head gaming battles: combine style. Separate gaming rooms will be available for different gaming levels and interests. There will also be three afternoon panels of collegiate athletic directors, covering the business side of gaming, health and safety of gaming and college eSports recruitment for their respective schools.

The event will have food trucks on site for individual purchase and will provide complimentary coffee and snack items for the morning competition groups.

Westerville Parks and Recreation is proud to host this event, providing equipment, game consoles and more.

“ESports at the Westerville Community Center has expanded drastically within the past few months,” said Westerville Parks & Recreation Sports Program Manager, Steve Baxter. “We’re excited to see how this event will expand our eSports program, as well as the eSports programs in surrounding colleges. This will provide a unique opportunity for prospective high school students to learn about how they can turn their passion for eSports into a future career.”

Registration to participate in the event is required, with a $30/gamer fee. The afternoon panels are free and open to the public, but online registration is required to attend.

If you are looking for a future in eSports or are curious about the role eSports could play in your college career, register now for the Midwest High School eSports Recruiting Combine.

Online registration is open at westerville.org/esports.

At the time of printing, 13 colleges will be in attendance:

The Ohio State University, Ohio University, Ohio Northern University, University of Akron, Bethany College, University of Cincinnati, Cleveland State University, Heidelberg University, Malone University, Miami University (OH), Ohio Wesleyan University, Otterbein University and Robert Morris University.