Clicks and Cleats: Exploring Collegiate Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Esports and Traditional Athletics

• In Event: Impact and Importance of Student Organizations

Abstract

Once viewed as a niche activity, esports (competitive video gaming) has exploded in popularity in recent years, with more than 750 collegiate esports programs in U.S. as of 2024. The growth of collegiate esports necessitates difficult conversations about the role of esports in higher education and the regulations governing collegiate esports competitions. For the present work, a survey of collegiate stakeholders (students, faculty/staff, and administrators) in the U.S. was conducted to evaluate perceptions of fairness regarding the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) by competitors in both traditional athletics and esports, beliefs about whether esports players are athletes, and the financial support that institutions provide. Findings include a significant difference in perceptions of fairness of PED use across contexts and a substantial divide between those with experience in traditional sports and those in esports. Potential explanations, areas for future research, and implications for esports policymakers are discussed.

Authors

• Sara Van Wickler, Minot State University

• Alexander Engel, Minot State University

• Sawyer Goodwin, Minot State University

• Briana Romfo, Minot State University

• Ethan Valentine, Minot State University