E-Sports

University of Alabama at Birmingham offers degree for emerging esports, coach field

The University of Alabama at Birmingham will soon give students the opportunity to get a chunk out of a billion-dollar industry: Coaching competitive video games. Starting in the fall, students can earn a bachelor’s degree in Esports Performance Management and Coaching, making UAB the first school in the state to offer such an academic curriculum […]

Published

1 month ago

May 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The University of Alabama at Birmingham will soon give students the opportunity to get a chunk out of a billion-dollar industry: Coaching competitive video games.

Starting in the fall, students can earn a bachelor’s degree in Esports Performance Management and Coaching, making UAB the first school in the state to offer such an academic curriculum and the ninth school in the country.

The field is “quickly evolving,” according to Teresa Taber Doughty, dean of the School of Education and Human Sciences. The closest school for interested Alabama students is Shenandoah University in Virginia, “one of the pioneers in this space.”

“Our focus was about how can we take an academic approach so that we are preparing people for this field and for engaging in research,” Doughty said. “At the same time, we could then start building a team and that infrastructure on campus so that students are actually engaged in this more formally. So we’re really taking a different approach.”

“We wanted to make sure that we had all the right data and that we could roll out this program in a manner that would lead students to a successful career, whether they chose to go into an Esports area or a related field,” Doughty said.

Before making the announcement official, administrators generated buzz by creating an introduction to digital gaming class. Course spots filled up immediately, Doughty said, and the class will be one of the core courses for the new program. A new Esports graduate certificate is available now and an undergraduate certificate is on the way.

Much of the curriculum will focus on the health and wellness of an Esports athlete, Doughty said. Playing video games for extended periods means students must increase stamina and eat a balanced diet.

Doughty said coursework will involve training students on “nutrition, in terms of their ability to engage in long-term sitting and movement while also being able to stay alert and have hand-eye coordination at top level.”

UAB already offers programming for kinesiology, the study of human movement, so Doughty said there’s expert faculty in place for supporting courses, including professors who understand the gaming landscape.

She said there are opportunities for coaches in Esports, “because this field is exploding.” Along with classes on physical education, mass media management and motor development, students will work with faculty to learn how to coach athletes. Electives include sports economics and marketing classes.

Students interested in being an Esports commentator or “shoutcaster” can learn about mass media communication in sports.

“I think what’s nice is that our graduates, if they don’t go into the Esports arena, they can still go into multiple areas related to coaching and performance management or they can go into graduate school and work in physical therapy,” Doughty said.

Students can use what they’ve learned to move into neuroscience or artificial intelligence-related research.

“I don’t think we’re going to have to do much convincing of the parents that, yes, this is a legitimate career pathway,” Doughty said. “I think right now it’s just a matter of making sure that school counselors know that this is another option now available.”

UAB currently has an Esports team and Good Games UAB, an Esports and tabletop gaming student organization.

Interested undergraduate students and their families can contact recruitment director Caran Kennedy for more information. Interested graduate students can reach out to Mary Frances Lembke.

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E-Sports

Back 2 School Announced for PC with Open-World Puzzles and 2026 Release

Image Via Coin Crew Games So they have announced Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School, and yes, it’s going to PC first — Steam and Epic Games Store they said. Developers Coin Crew Games and iam8bit Presents are showing it off at the Summer Game Fest 2025 during the Day of the Devs thing. They […]

Published

1 hour ago

June 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School Announced for PC with Open-World Puzzles and 2026 Release

Image Via Coin Crew Games

So they have announced Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School, and yes, it’s going to PC first — Steam and Epic Games Store they said. Developers Coin Crew Games and iam8bit Presents are showing it off at the Summer Game Fest 2025 during the Day of the Devs thing. They told the game will arrive in 2026, no date but still. This is a sequel, so if you played the first one (a lot of people did, like millions), then you maybe understand what’s coming. Except not really. This one’s more open.

New Style of Escape Puzzling, Kinda Big

Now, instead of just being puzzle levels, Escape Academy 2 got a campus. You walk around it. Classrooms, dorms, probably tunnels or some sort of hidden stuff. Everything is a puzzle now. Or like, puzzle-adjacent. It’s more of a game you explore than just escape from things. That’s what they’re trying to say. The entire school becomes a puzzle now. Which sounds more fun, but also maybe confusing, unless done right.

You Can Play Alone, Or You Don’t Have To

You’ve got options. You want to play alone, fine. You want a friend to solve the puzzles with you? Also yes. There is online co-op and local split screen, which not every game still has. They added something called “No-Timer Mode” too, so no rush to solve if that’s what stress you. But some people might think it’s less exciting like that.

Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School Announced for PC with Open-World Puzzles and 2026 Release

Story Gets Deeper (Or at least it tries)

So the game, it’s not just puzzles. It’s telling a story too — something about academy secrets, hidden histories, mystery stuff. Old characters come back. New ones show up. Everyone probably has something to say, maybe too much at times. You can go on side-quests with them, get lore and other things if you care. They say it’s more immersive and all that.

ALSO READ : New SpongeBob Game Leak Reveals Patrick Star as the Main Playable Character

Looks Nicer, Sounds a Bit Cooler

Graphics got upgraded a little, maybe a lot, depending on who you ask. Characters look slightly different, maybe better, or just… new. There’s a fresh soundtrack from DJ Doseone. It’s more atmospheric and puzzle-y (whatever that means). At least the music will likely slap, softly.

It’s Coming, Eventually

No exact date, but “2026” is what they keep saying. You can wishlist the game on Steam, which means you’ll probably forget and then be surprised when it releases. Meanwhile, if you ain’t tried the first Escape Academy, it’s on discount now — like 60% off on Steam. Maybe worth grabbing if you want to catch up before the sequel gets here.

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E-Sports

Summer camps aim to help grow esports culture in Kent County

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A local esports company is holding camps in Grand Rapids this summer to help support the rapid growth of the sport. Jump Ahead Play Fuel summer camp will be held every Friday and Saturday from June 20 to Aug. 1 at Burton Middle School. The camp is free to all […]

Published

10 hours ago

June 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A local esports company is holding camps in Grand Rapids this summer to help support the rapid growth of the sport.

Jump Ahead Play Fuel summer camp will be held every Friday and Saturday from June 20 to Aug. 1 at Burton Middle School. The camp is free to all kids 10 and up in Kent County.

“I’m very excited for the culture of esports that we’re building,” said Dee Jones, the chief energy officer at Jump Ahead L3C, the company hosting the camp.

He said that kids will get educated on digital finances; ‘shoutcasting’ commentary; cryptocurrency; name, image and likeness rights and more.

“I truly want them to know that people care,” Jones said of what he hopes kids get out of the camp. “People care about their education, people care about their goals, their dreams, the things that they look to achieve to get out of poverty, to change their lives, to break those barriers. To show their parents that you can actually get paid from gaming, have a career and potentially earn six or seven figures.”

Universities around the country are putting more resources into building esports programs, leading to the formation of competitive teams, new facilities and even scholarships.

Josiah Dunning played on Ottawa Hills High School’s esports team. It earned him a scholarship to Davenport University.

“It was an athletic scholarship, which confused me when I saw it the first time,” Dunning said.

Dunning is a part of a growing number of students who are using their talent for video games to help play for college. In Michigan alone, several schools now offer partial esports scholarships, including Michigan State, Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan.

“We’re actually increasing opportunities and kids around our community are directly benefiting from this,” Jones said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.

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E-Sports

Lander’s Lindqvist Named WGCA Second-Team All-American

Story Links CORAL SPRINGS, FLA — Lander’s Kajsa Lindqvist was named a second-team All-American by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) on Friday. Flagler’s Stella Jelinek and Henriette Stranda had previously been named first-team All-Americans, giving the PBC three in total. Flagler’s Jordyn Jodgson and North Georgia’s Jadin Ware were […]

Published

11 hours ago

June 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

CORAL SPRINGS, FLA — Lander’s Kajsa Lindqvist was named a second-team All-American by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) on Friday. Flagler’s Stella Jelinek and Henriette Stranda had previously been named first-team All-Americans, giving the PBC three in total.

Flagler’s Jordyn Jodgson and North Georgia’s Jadin Ware were also named honorable mention All-Americans.

A junior from Göthenburg, Sweden, Lindqvist played every round for Lander in 2024-25, with one victory and nine top-10 finishes, tied for most in the PBC. She shot par or better in 13 of her 36 rounds for a 73.03 stroke average, third in the league. Ranked #13 in the nation by Scoreboard, she shot seven-under 65 twice during the season, the two lowest rounds (relative to par) by any PBC player.

Lindqvist finished in fourth place at the NCAA South Regional with rounds of 73-69-74, earning one of the two individual spots in the NCAA National Championships. At the nationals she finished in a tie for fourth after shooting one of those 65s, jumping 11 spots on the leaderboard in the final round.

A three-time PBC first-team All-Conference selection, Lindqvist earns her first All-America honor.

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E-Sports

Omaha school hosts video game summer camp

Published

12 hours ago

June 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

School’s out for summer, and for some kids, that means heading off to camp.An e-sports summer camp was held at Omaha’s Quest Forward High School this week. English teacher and eSports coach, Angee Henry, originally took the coaching gig to help ensure students had something to do after school.”They said, ‘There’s no coaches in the building, will you coach?’ And I’m like, ‘Well, I coach track,’ and they said, ‘Oh, then you can coach e-sports,” Henry said.She immediately saw how passionate the students involved were, and how competitive a skill it can be.Her first year on the job, her team finished third overall in a Super Smash Bros. Class D competition.”I think looking at it as a sport, because we look at it as a game sometimes. You know, football is a game, but it has respect in there and just respecting it, and knowing that athletes are participating in something serious,” Henry said.Maximus Johnson is one of 14 students who participated in this week’s camp. He said his favorite part was learning from other players and being part of a team. “Here it feels like you’re actually playing together for the same reason, and you have the same values on why you’re playing,” Johnson said.Johnson loves video games for the creativity they offer, but he picked up more than just victory royales during camp.”I’m learning teamwork and skills that have to do with strategy, that’s been really fun and useful. I think it’d be cool to play e-sports for a living, but even then, I’m still learning very good values here,” Johnson said.Johnson said as much as he loves gaming, he recognizes the need to still be physically active and get outside. He added that this camp included interactive factors like warmups and a real-life outdoor version of Mario Kart.Coach Henry shared her message to all: E-sports can level up students’ lives.”It can take them to college, it can take them into IT jobs,” Henry said. NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |

OMAHA, Neb. —

School’s out for summer, and for some kids, that means heading off to camp.

An e-sports summer camp was held at Omaha’s Quest Forward High School this week.

English teacher and eSports coach, Angee Henry, originally took the coaching gig to help ensure students had something to do after school.

“They said, ‘There’s no coaches in the building, will you coach?’ And I’m like, ‘Well, I coach track,’ and they said, ‘Oh, then you can coach e-sports,” Henry said.

She immediately saw how passionate the students involved were, and how competitive a skill it can be.

Her first year on the job, her team finished third overall in a Super Smash Bros. Class D competition.

“I think looking at it as a sport, because we look at it as a game sometimes. You know, football is a game, but it has respect in there and just respecting it, and knowing that athletes are participating in something serious,” Henry said.

Maximus Johnson is one of 14 students who participated in this week’s camp.

He said his favorite part was learning from other players and being part of a team.

“Here it feels like you’re actually playing together for the same reason, and you have the same values on why you’re playing,” Johnson said.

Johnson loves video games for the creativity they offer, but he picked up more than just victory royales during camp.

“I’m learning teamwork and skills that have to do with strategy, that’s been really fun and useful. I think it’d be cool to play e-sports for a living, but even then, I’m still learning very good values here,” Johnson said.

Johnson said as much as he loves gaming, he recognizes the need to still be physically active and get outside. He added that this camp included interactive factors like warmups and a real-life outdoor version of Mario Kart.

Coach Henry shared her message to all: E-sports can level up students’ lives.

“It can take them to college, it can take them into IT jobs,” Henry said.

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E-Sports

Highland esports team wins second place at state championship | Game

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Published

15 hours ago

June 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

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E-Sports

Minecraft laces up with Adidas in pixel-perfect digital drop

Free companions, wearable kicks, and a player-powered map put the spotlight on Minecraft’s newest crossover Minecraft x Adidas drops free fashion-fueled update Jump into the gaming fashion frontier Minecrafters can now express and build their in-game character thanks to a major collab with Adidas that combines blocky creativity with streetwear fashion. Launched April 1, 2025, […]

Published

17 hours ago

June 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Free companions, wearable kicks, and a player-powered map put the spotlight on Minecraft’s newest crossover

Minecraft x Adidas drops free fashion-fueled update

Jump into the gaming fashion frontier

Minecrafters can now express and build their in-game character thanks to a major collab with Adidas that combines blocky creativity with streetwear fashion. Launched April 1, 2025, the “Minecraft x Adidas” crossover is not a skin pack or merchandise collection; it’s a digital expansion for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition that includes companions, functional gear, and narrative-based gameplay.

At first glance it doesn’t feel like branded product placement; it feels like a natural extension of the player-first philosophy that’s at the heart of Minecraft. Players aren’t just wearing Adidas they’re creating with Adidas.

Jump into the gaming fashion frontier — ***Pic By Minecraft***

Free DLC is part style, part functionality

The partnership kicks off with the Adidas Adventurer Add-On, free downloadable content from the Minecraft Marketplace. This isn’t just a reskin of jerseys and leggings. This drop comes with new gameplay systems, functional companions, and movement-based gameplay for player-driven exploration.

Here’s what’s in:

Three in-game Adidas-themed companions:
- The Coach: Finds ore, boosts mobility, and tracks quests.
- The Mascot: Gathers food and resources while managing player hunger.
- The Teammate: Provides combat support, buff effects, and lava protection.
Digital sneakers and armor inspired by real-world Adidas shoes.
• Loot boxes with collectible gear:
A playable map called “Play at the Speed of You,” with parkour zones, puzzles, and exploration quests.

These aren’t just cosmetic. Companions actually affect gameplay, offering everything from pathfinding to inventory management. It’s a low-key but effective way to marry fashion with function.

Beyond branding: A nod to Gen Z values

This collaboration does more than just get Adidas into Minecraft. It acknowledges how gamers think about identity, mobility, and customization today.

For Adidas, this is part of its Originals initiative a campaign aimed directly at Gen Z players who value digital self-expression. For Mojang, it’s an experiment in player-led storytelling. And for the Minecraft community, it’s another example of how the game continues to evolve with you.

The real-world apparel drop reflects that, with Adidas tracksuits, T-shirts, and sneakers featuring Creeper eyes, Enderman prints, and pixel-themed colorways.

Beyond branding: A nod to Gen Z values — **Pic By Minecraft**

Real style makes real steps

Notice the difference? Unlike other brand partnerships that had visuals only, this DLC directly affects how the game feels. Each companion has its own AI behaviors and abilities in-game. Each quest system has been reworked to account for the new objects. The map itself has been designed for replayability with challenges that are shaped by the player’s speed.

This is not another collaboration; it’s a playable sneaker campaign.

Now even the loot boxes are tied to movement. When a player moves, they get loot the faster they run, the higher the loot box gain. Complete the parkour zones to earn gold tier loot boxes. The way a player moves in the game is dictated by the physical game system, not the branded environment.

What this means for gaming x fashion collaborations

Brand collaborations like Minecraft x Adidas are becoming a regular thing, but very few are actually a true experience between brand visibility and overall gameplay value. With them adding this DLC for free, it shows that Mojang has left you, the player, be and not turned you into a customer. Instead of dollars earned, it might mean endorsements as a result of community creativity and self-expression.

For Adidas, the only repayment they cared about was relevance. For Minecraft, it’s just another feather in the cap. For the players it’s simple: just download the game, get some gear, and start running!

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