What the heck is esports?! Esports certification classes now at Ohlone Newark

Dublin resident Deborah Lemon is known for initiating out-of-the-box approaches in education and for the past 6 years, has been focused on the neuroscience of gaming, gamification and neuro-gaming.

Continuing her track record of innovation, Deborah Lemon is now bringing the exciting, explosive world of esports to Ohlone College Newark, through a 5-class course beginning on October 11, 2017.

Esports is the term used to cover the world of competitive video gaming which has grown from humble beginnings to become a billion-dollar, worldwide phenomenon. Tournaments for games like “League of Legends” pull in millions of on-line viewers and a recent, multi-day tournament held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles sold out in minutes. Professional gamers are making six or seven figure salaries and putting off college to focus on their gaming career. Professional sporting teams – NBA, NFL – are setting up their own professional gaming teams to attract younger viewers and promote their sport. Celebrities such a Jennifer Lopez are investing in professional esports teams and leagues. Colleges such as Robert Morris College in Illinois are offering gamers full scholarships to play on their school teams.

Beside the professional game players, many other professionals are making their mark in esports. Marketers, “shoutcasters” (gaming announcers), event organizers, lawyers and even medical professionals are all part of the dynamic esports industry.

Deborah Lemon has developed this 5-class series that provides an overview to look at all these aspects of esports. Lemon says this is just a start; she’s hoping to offer more in-depth classes including specific game strategies and practice. Ultimately, her goal is to create for-credit courses and an AA or AS degree program in esports. For the upcoming course, students will receive an esports certification upon completion of the course.

Ohlone College is one of the first colleges in Northern California to offer esports certification. Lemon is the faculty advisor for Renegade Esports Gaming club at Ohlone College, which is one of the strongest esports clubs in the Bay Area.

For more information on Ohlone’s esports class, please refer to the following:

Location: Ohlone College Newark Campus

39399 Cherry Street, Newark, CA 94560

Registration on-line:

ohlone.augsoft.net

Contact info:

510-979-7590

comm_educ@ohlone.edu