If you're like me, you spent an outlandish amount of time in college playing video games. It's a supreme part of the modern collegiate experience.
Now, imagine video games were a part of the college learning experience. Yes, seriously.
It's a reality at schools across the nation, including Saint Joseph's here in Philadelphia, and the school is launching a brand new partnership Thursday with the Sixers as the world of esports continues to push in the forefront.
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St. Joe's and the Sixers' NBA 2K League team, 76ers GC, are partnering to provide St. Joe's students with insight and guidance - and "exclusive content and programming" - from the team's esports pros.
The city is already known for its legendary collegiate and professional basketball teams... so why not its esports basketball team, too?
If you're wondering what in the world esports basketball looks like, here's a look at the 2019 2K League Finals, where 76ers GC fell to T-Wolves Gaming:
NBA
It's bananas.
The partnership, according to the school, includes "multiple collaborative events focusing on both esports gameplay and careers in esports, including virtual networking opportunities, coaching clinics, guest speakers and more."
St. Joe's recently invested in a tech-focused esports lab, developed academic coursework to launch careers in esports marketing and business, and turned the school's gaming club into a club-level sport.
Dozens upon dozens of schools nationwide have already turned esports into a varsity sport, including 14 here in Pennsylvania. It's not a niche idea anymore: this is happening.
And thanks to this partnership with 76ers GC, St. Joe's students will be even more ready for the future of sports.