Reinstating Amateurism in Collegiate Esports - A New Era

Introduction

We are at a pinnacle era to the growth and development of collegiate esports, the lines we draw, and the regulations that we impose will forever be seen as the standard. Therefore, it is the job of an association to help create regulations that will draw lines and standards. Within the collegiate space, institutions have historically upheld amateurism as the pillar of integrity and fairness; unfortunately, this core collegiate pillar has been either forgotten or ignored within the esports space. Our team at the North American Varsity Esports Association believes that the fundamental core collegiate pillar of amateurism must be upheld for positive growth and development. We will start with the game titles that we have dedicated head of operations within those game titles are: Rocket League, Valorant, and Overwatch 2. Within this article we want to answer the questions of: the importance of amateurism in collegiate esports, what our professional standards for each title will look like, and why esports must mirror traditional collegiate standards.

The Importance of Amateurism in Collegiate Esports

Even after recent events the NCAA still upholds a firm position on amateurism. The key term that clearly defines what a professional is by the NCAA: taken pay, or the promise of pay, for competing in that sport. To further define amateur by Merriam-Webster's dictionary is “one who engages in a pursuit, study, science, or sport as a pastime rather than as a profession” (merriam-webster, n.d.). Whereas, the dictionary states a professional as one “participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs” (merriam-webster, n.d.). Within the collegiate space, we believe institutional leaders are obligated to encourage the amateur spirit for the pursuit of professionalism. When the latter is sought or recruited, it tarnishes the spirit of amateurism and the obligation as institutional leaders to encourage the pursuit. To uphold the traditions of fair competition, player development, and institutional integrity, it is essential that all institutional leaders reach a unified agreement: we have a shared obligation to guide students in their pursuit of professionalism while maintaining a clear distinction between collegiate and professional esports. A student-first approach must remain paramount, with full-time academic engagement prioritized above all else. North American Varsity Esports Association believes that as unique and different the esports realm may seem, there are still many core traditions and pillars that should remain, but esports is still the only collegiate sport allowing active participation of professional athletes – collegiate esports must align.

Our Professional Standards For Each Title

Setting the standards for professionals has been a challenge with the reasoning being “too many blurred lines”. Although we do agree that it can be difficult to set the standards and draw the line, we also agree that a standard and line must be drawn even if it infringes on the “blurred lines” argument. Additionally, we understand that not all esports titles can be weighted the same as there are countless variables from region strength to professional league longevity. Our solution is dedicated game title leads, these individuals understand each game title's pain points, and limitations; they are the ones setting the standard for professional players within their esports title, with constant re-evaluation to ensure amateurism remains in collegiate esports. This will help institutional leaders adopt, and enforce the new standard of a professional player ban within collegiate esports. North American Varsity Esports Association understands that while professional players may start out in these ranks, professional competition is extremely unstable and ex-professional players may be looking to enter collegiate esports. Those ex-professional players must follow our professional player cooldown timer of one (1) year removed from their last professional competition. Once the professional ban timer has expired, the player can appeal for eligibility.

Starting with Rocket League, we will be focusing on their professional league, the Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS). To remain clear and precise in the execution of the professional standard within Rocket League we will refrain from commenting on the structure, and pay scale as we are only focused on what defines a player professional within North American Varsity Esports Association regulations. Rocket League has several regions and those regions have varying skill thresholds, which means they need to be approached as such. The professional standard ruling and the professional threshold is as follows:

NORTH AMERICA (NA): Top 16

EUROPE (EU): Top 16

SOUTH AMERICA (SAM): Top 16

MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA (MENA): Top 16

ASIA PACIFIC (APAC): Top 8

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA (SSA): Top 8

Secondly with Valorant, we will be focusing on their professional league, Valorant Champions Tour (VCT). To remain clear and precise in the execution of the professional standard within Valorant we will refrain from commenting on the structure, and pay scale as we are only focused on what defines a player professional within North American Varsity Esports Association regulations. Valorant has several regions; however, those regions have a relative comparable skill level. Therefore, the professional standard ruling and the professional threshold is as follows:

AMERICAS: All VCT / Challengers Main Event

EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST, AND AFRICA: All VCT / Challengers Main Event

PACIFIC: All VCT / Challengers Main Event

Third Overwatch 2, their current professional scene is undergoing a transition. However, we will be focusing on Overwatch Champions Series as the professional league, with FACEIT getting recognition as well. To remain clear and precise in the execution of the professional standard within Overwatch 2 we will refrain from commenting on the structure, and pay scale as we are only focused on what defines a player professional within North American Varsity Esports Association regulations. Overwatch 2 has several regions within OWCS & FACEIT, they have similar skill levels. Therefore, the professional standard ruling and the professional threshold is as follows:

NORTH AMERICA: All OWCS / FACEIT Masters Division

EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST, AND AFRICA: All OWCS / FACEIT Masters Division

CHINA: All OWCS / FACEIT Masters Division

ASIA: All OWCS / FACEIT Masters Division

Professionals being in these higher echelon of competition have unlocked different advantages that amateur college athletes may not have access to. Those advantages include training resources, time commitment, and compensation. This could create an unfair advantage and diminish the core pillar of amateur collegiate esports. Additionally, to remain at the higher echelon of professional competition players are required to give themselves full-time to that trade.

Why Esports Must Mirror Traditional Collegiate Standards

If we continue to allow professional players to play within the collegiate space, we are allowing a fundamental collegiate pillar of amateurism to be forgotten or ignored. Collegiate esports’ legitimacy will be undermined unless a line is drawn deciding what is considered professional and amateur. When collegiate esports aligns with all other collegiate sports we will see the spirit of amateurism return, and an increase in collegiate esports' legitimacy. When a clear line is drawn and a boundary is established within the collegiate space for what constitutes as a professional esports player the spotlight will no longer be on the professional players, but rather on student development, institutional pride, and the spirit of guiding amateurs to becoming professionals. North American Varsity Esports Association can only do so much within the collegiate space to draw these lines, and set the standard because ultimately it will fall on the institutional leaders to back the drive to reinstate amateurism within collegiate esports. We are the platform that is willing to lay the foundation, but institutional leaders hold the power to build it up.

Conclusion

Institutional leaders are obligated to uphold amateurism within the collegiate space to guide the pursuit for professionalism. Therefore, if institutional leaders continue to do nothing about the professional player problem within collegiate esports, then collegiate esports will continue to not be recognized with the same level of respect as traditional sports, and will remain undermined. With collegiate esports at a pinnacle point, an association can set the foundation to cause action for change, but institutional leaders hold the power. North American Varsity Esports Association urges institutional leaders to reinstate amateurism within the collegiate space. If not with us, for us, and for the fundamental pillar of amateurism within college.