(Photo Credit: Alex Walker/ Concordia University)
Historically, when people think about collegiate competition, traditional athletics most likely are the first to come to mind: football, basketball, track and field, etc. But in what is truly a sign of the times, colleges and universities are beginning to turn their attention toward competitive gaming, which has become a multi-billion dollar industry across the world. On Tuesday, Concordia University unveiled its brand new e-sports arena, which will play host to a new era of varsity competition.
By entering into the world of competitive gaming, Concordia joins more than 100 other colleges and universities across North America. Concordia recently finished the buildout and construction of its new arena, which will offer competitors 12 professional-level gaming stations complete with high-end audio-visual production equipment. It’s the first-of-its-kind varsity e-sports arena in Central Texas, the university says.
“Our high-tech arena provides the same environment that e-sports professionals use out in the field, giving our e-sports players real-world experience while they’re still in college,” says Marc Valdoria, a Concordia graduate who will coordinate and lead the new teams.
According to a release from the university, the gaming stations have high-level hardware and peripherals including 240-hertz monitors that deliver about four times the display quality of home televisions. The software-driven, integrated audio-visual production system matches that used by ESPN, FOX News/Sports, MTV, the New York Giants, and Twitch today.
The unveiling of the new e-sports arena comes following the inaugural Fortnite World Cup in which one player took home a $3-million prize. That winner was a 16-year-old from Pennsylvania who says he practices his craft roughly six hours per day.
“Experts identify gaming as an excellent way for collegians to build skills and aptitude in programming and non-cognitive skills,” says Dr. Don Christian, president and CEO. Concordia will enter the competitive gaming arena by sponsoring teams in League of Legends and Overwatch.
Director of Athletics Ronda Seagraves says the e-sports teams will be required to meet the same standards and eligibility requirements as all other athletes involved in the university’s 15 NCAA intercollegiate sports.
“Concordia has identified an area in which today’s students are seeking a competitive outlet and one which has exploded among universities nationwide. The excitement around this addition has been amazing and I look forward to watching it continue to grow,” Seagraves says.
Competition will begin in August. Prospective students interested in the e-sports program can go to concordia.edu/esports.
