Ashland University Signs First Fortnite Esports Scholar
Ashland University in Ohio has awarded its first scholarship for the popular battle royale game Fortnite. Devin Sharp, a student from Kentucky, has received a scholarship worth approximately $4,000 towards his tuition. Sharp expressed his shock and motivation, stating that this achievement proves hard work towards one’s dreams can truly pay off. The scholarship program is set to begin in the fall, making Ashland University the first school to offer a Fortnite scholarship. The university also offers esports scholarships for other games, as announced in February.
Ashland University has plans to establish an esports arena and a dedicated practice and competition area for its Fortnite team and other games. Although there is currently no collegiate league for Fortnite, Josh Buchanan, the head coach of Ashland Esports, hopes to see one established in the future. Buchanan believes that Fortnite’s rapid growth and popularity make it an ideal game for structured practices and showcasing players’ skills and creativity.
The esports scene for Fortnite is still in its early stages, but with the recent announcement from Epic Games that they will provide a prize pool of $100 million this year, more investors and organizations are expected to join this growing phenomenon.