You might want to put Boise State on your short list.
ESPN was among the first to report that Boise State had approved a varsity video game team and will begin competitive play in September. The school is one of 42 in the National Association of Competitive eSports, the governing body that regulates operation of collegiate programs.
Boise State joins Utah, Georgia State and Miami University (Ohio) as the only varsity eSports programs at universities that also compete in major college football. (Interestingly, all four schools once had intercollegiate wrestling programs as well.)
Just to be absolutely clear ... there is no connection between the launch of Boise State's eSports program, and the school's decision to axe its long-time Bronco wrestling program this spring. For starters, the new eSports program is NOT controlled, operated or funded by the BSU athletics department (as was the case with wrestling). Boise State's eSports program is an academic program, backed by its College of Education and College of Innovation and Design.
And, despite having "sports" in the word "eSports", these programs have no connection to the NCAA. The organization that wrestling and other varsity sports on hundreds of college campuses across America has no oversight of eSports programs at any of its member schools.
According to the Idaho Statesman, Boise State's new eSports team will compete in five games in its first season: League of Legends, Overwatch, Hearthstone, Rocket League and Heroes of the Storm. The number of players in each tournament will vary depending on the game. Some will be five-on-five, while others will feature one-on-one competition. Team members are ranked in tiers that amount to a depth chart. Starters and backups for competition exist like they do in classic sports. There are national championships with March Madness-like brackets and competitions are sometimes broadcast on, you guessed it, ESPN.
The Stateman reports that Boise State that its new eSports program has university support, much like varsity athletic programs. The school is planning space for an eSports arena, and will eventually offer scholarships to team members, who will wear official Boise State colors and logos.
Boise State's Dr. Chris Haskell, an assistant professor in educational technology and the school's eSports advisor, told the Idaho Statesman that a key to success of these programs is being among the first ... citing BSU's groundbreaking decision 30 years ago to install blue turf on its football field, a choice that has become a key aspect of Boise State's overall brand.
"If you come in early and you have a lot to offer, you become magnetic," said Haskell. "Part of it was recognizing, not if it will grow, but when and how much and how do we use that Blue Turf thinking."
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