Things to Do
Things to Do

Yes, your kid can get a college scholarship for video games

By Matt Kempner
Aug 11, 2016

The kids just got a new argument for playing video games. An Atlanta-based company has awarded college scholarships for people who play video games competitively.

KontrolFreek, which makes popular "performance thumbstick" extenders and sweat-resistant grips for gamers, dished out $3,000 college scholarships to three students nationally. CEO Ashish Mistry said the company will award more in the future.

“It’s something that parents should be proud of,” he said.

Others are ponying up money for eSports players, too, including the University of California at Irvine. Starting this fall the public research university plans to offer $5,600 scholarships (covering about half of in-state tuition) to 10 gamers who will represent it in tournaments.

“It is a chance to be the best at something that is going to be bigger than traditional sports,” said Mark Deppe, the acting director of UCI’s eSports program.

ExploreCheck out more — including what perks some gamers want from Georgia Tech — in my latest Unofficial Business column on MyAJC.com.

About the Author

Matt Kempner is an award-winning journalist who seeks out intriguing twists about people and subjects beyond what the AJC might typically cover. A former columnist and editor, his past assignments have included business investigations, energy, the economy, entrepreneurs, big business, consumer spending, politics, government and the environment.

Follow Matt Kempner on facebookFollow Matt Kempner on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

The skyline of downtown Atlanta is visible from Centennial Olympic Park, which is about a 10-minute walk from the FIFA Club World Cup games happening at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Christine Tannous/AJC 2021)

Credit: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

In town for Club World Cup? Explore Centennial Park District for even more fun

Here are some fun things to do, great places to eat and convenient places to stay in the Centennial Park District of Atlanta.

15 family-friendly things to do in metro Atlanta this weekend

15 family-friendly things to do in metro Atlanta this weekend, including outdoor movies, gaming expo, Drone and Light Show celebrating Black culture.

Art is a force for revolution at 2 free Juneteenth film events in Atlanta

ArtsXchange features free film events Friday ("Art in Action," about Atlanta artists and art nonprofits) and Saturday ("Soundtrack to a Coup D’Etat" on Congolese independence)

The Latest

The skyline of downtown Atlanta is visible from Centennial Olympic Park, which is about a 10-minute walk from the FIFA Club World Cup games happening at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Christine Tannous/AJC 2021)

Credit: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

In town for Club World Cup? Explore Centennial Park District for even more fun

15 family-friendly things to do in metro Atlanta this weekend

With 100-plus short films, Atlanta Shortsfest has something for everybody

Featured

Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat speaks during a press interview at the district attorney’s office in Atlanta on Friday, July 12, 2024. Public safety officials presented findings from a report on repeat offenders. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Fulton sheriff takes county to court in spending feud

Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat is suing the county over what he says is unconstitutional meddling in the way he spends funds for his office.

MARTA defibrillators moved from public cabinets, sealed in staff rooms

Thefts prompt MARTA to stash lifesaving defibrillators out of public reach.

AJC INVESTIGATION

Smuggling cases at Georgia prison fizzle: Drugs were never tested

At a Georgia prison notorious for drug smuggling, 23 cases in four years were dismissed because the suspected drugs never made it to the state crime lab