In light of the recent decline in enrollment numbers, higher education institutions are eager to find new ways to attract students. Video games — in the form of esports programs — may be a key recruitment and retention solution. Today, the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) boasts over 170 college and university members with programs involving more than 5,000 student-athletes. Up from just seven member institutions in 2016, these numbers reflect the ballooning interest in collegiate-level esports.