The new addition of esports to Keene State College comes with the addition of new controversies.
The biggest question is are esports considered sports and should they join the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA)?
The discussion on whether esports are sports is rather complex and requires a bit of nuance. While esports do not require much physical activity, it might seem like they should not even qualify as a sport. This line of thinking ignores the discussion of other sports that have less physical activity in them.
Chess is recognized as a sport by the International Olympic Committee. Physical activity is not something you see much of in chess, however, mental activity is huge within the sport. I feel mind sports should definitely be held to a similar standard of their physical counterparts.
Mind sports have a competitive edge to them and they are also entertaining to watch as well, just like physical sports. I believe having both brawn and brains is an incredible feat people should strive for. Giving good treatment to one, but not the other, is just asking for trouble.
It is as the Ancient Greek historian Thucydides said, “the society that separates its scholars from its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools.”
Like chess, esports are also mind sports. They are competitive, entertaining to watch and they require a lot of mental activity. I think mind sports justify their inclusion within the NCAA. The NCAA would help regulate how esports are handled here at Keene State College.
There are both pros and cons with the inclusion of esports in the NCAA, however. Since Keene State College is a Division III school, the inclusion in the NCAA would mean athletic scholarships would not be permitted. This would just mean esports would be treated as any other sport here. Although, I am sure it would be disappointing for those who would like to partake in esports, this would also mean they are on equal footing with physical sports. If esports wants to be treated like any other sport, then they have to take the good with the bad.
Being treated equally to physical sports will not mean it will only be beneficial. There will always be compromises in life, but they are all about what will get you the most success in the future. I feel esports being included in the NCAA would give them the best future they could possibly have.
Being in the NCAA would give esports the proper regulation it needs. The proper regulation will give esports, and hopefully other mind sports, the push it needs to be taken more seriously. It is my hope that we can have a combined effort of scholars and warriors to have a strong and intelligent future for Keene State College.
Mind sports deserve to be treated as equals to physical sports. While this means there will be upsides and downsides, it will all be worth it in the end.
Nico Brazill can be contacted at
nbrazill@kscequinox.com
