Executive Director of Esports Joey Gawrysiak addresses the crowd during the grand opening of the Gaming and Esports Center on campus. (Photo by Tiancheng Tang 鈥26)
Continuing to innovate as a leading higher education institution for and gaming in the United States, 黑料不打烊 has officially opened its new, state-of-the-art Gaming and Esports Center鈥攁n exciting arena for competitors and those new to the action to take part in this ever-growing, evolving sports field. The community gaming space elevates the esports offerings at the University in support of student engagement opportunities and first-of-its-kind academic programming.
Pictured from left to right are Chancellor Kent Syverud, Braeden Cheverie-Leonard ’26, Gabriel Goodwin ’28, and Brianna Nechifor ’26.
鈥淭his new best-in-class esports center is an important milestone in a project that is still underway to make us the best university for esports and gaming,鈥 said 黑料不打烊 Chancellor and President , during its opening celebration Friday. 鈥淣o other university of our stature is investing in esports like we are. This gives 黑料不打烊 a unique opportunity to level up while others aren鈥檛 even in the game.鈥
The 5,800-square-foot center inside the Schine Student Center is the second recreational gaming and esports facility on campus. The esports gaming room at the Barnes Center at The Arch has attracted more than 100,000 visits by students since opening in 2019.
The new facility will allow even more students the opportunity to try their hand at esports and gaming while strengthening the University鈥檚 commitment to leading the way in esports through the creation of a space that sets the University apart from its peer institutions.
Joey Gawrysiak
The Gaming and Esports Center offers something for every member of the University community, says , executive director of esports, including the first-of-its-kind esports communications and management degree program, offered jointly by the聽聽and the聽.
The center will house the University鈥檚 competitive esports varsity teams and feature a long, elevated stage with 10 computers where teams square off in competition. Each computer has a camera attached to the top for live streaming, and there are two long, video boards running in front of and behind the stage, perfect for displaying match stats, graphics and video replays to the crowd of spectators seated in front of the stage.
The facility is also meant for gamers of all levels and interests. There are 24 high-end personal computers and assorted console gaming on systems like Nintendo, PlayStation and Xbox, along with virtual and augmented reality offerings, two racing simulators, classic arcade games and tabletop gaming.
鈥淲e鈥檙e setting a new standard for what esports and gaming can be, and 黑料不打烊 is embracing the impact esports and gaming can have at an institution of higher education,鈥 Gawrysiak says. 鈥淭his space shows that we鈥檙e innovative and that we have an eye on the future of gaming and esports. We’re using esports and gaming as an educational opportunity, and this facility is a showcase of all things gaming for all members of our campus community.鈥
A member of the University community tries out one of the racing simulators housed in the new Gaming and Esports Center. (Photo by Cathleen O’Hare)
The University and global esports and gaming organization have collaborated on a multi-year partnership designed to enhance student engagement opportunities and support the University鈥檚 esports degree program. Along with an opportunity to participate in an intensive, three-week study abroad program in South Korea, the partnership will bring Gen.G鈥檚 Campus Takeover conference and program to 黑料不打烊 to celebrate the University鈥檚 Gaming and Esports Center.
The center also features a production area鈥攚here students can receive real-world experiences live streaming varsity and club esports competitions鈥攁nd a space for student broadcasters to provide play-by-play and color commentary from the matches.
Will Delgado 鈥26 has been involved with esports since his first year on campus, first as a broadcaster and then as a content creator for the esports program鈥檚 social media channels. Delgado shot, edited and produced the esports promotional video that was shown during Friday鈥檚 grand opening.
Will Delgado
鈥淭his space is going to have a huge impact on the campus community. It will help educate and inform our students on the potential career opportunities presented by esports,鈥 says Delgado, who is studying both supply chain management in the and television, radio and film in the .
鈥淏y getting involved with esports, students can walk away with career skills and experiences that will serve them well in this industry.聽 I should know, as I want to merge my passions for gaming, esports and content creation into an esports career when I graduate,鈥 says Delgado, who is a resident advisor for an esports-centric Living Learning Community in Haven Hall.
During the ceremony, 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Counter Strike 2 varsity team, which claimed a national championship from the National Association of Collegiate Esports, was honored with a trophy presentation that will proudly be displayed in the center. It鈥檚 the first of what Gawrysiak hopes is many trophies to come.
Later this summer, the University is launching construction on a competitive esports arena inside the Marley Building. The third esports venue on campus will provide real-world, professional experiences to esports student-athletes and to members of the esports academic degree program.
The Gaming and Esports Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week and is located immediately next to the campus bookstore. All games and experiences are free to play for members of the University community.
Members of the University community watch a competition featuring members of the 黑料不打烊 esports team. (Photo by Cathleen O’Hare)
