This is a screenshot of the Rocket League portion of the unique esports tournament presented by the Electronic Gaming Federation, Microsoft and Syracuse University.
“The wall takes it upward. ‘Hush’ bangs it off the wall. ‘Jack’ is there for the empty net. One minute and fifty left, and that’s Syracuse left with that commanding 4-1 lead.”
Eliciting the same adrenaline rush as a soccer broadcast, the above shout cast actually comes from a Syracuse University Esports Team vs. Hofstra University game of Rocket League. The game was played on Monday, April 20, as part of a first-of-its kind esports tournament delivered by the Electronic Gaming Federation (EGF), Microsoft and Syracuse University.
The tournament, which began April 20 and continues through May 10, is accompanied by a virtual industry expert summit developed by Microsoft and Syracuse University that intends to harness student passion for esports while supporting academic success.
From Monday, April 27, to Thursday, May 10, the campus community is invited to tune in to daily panels featuring esports experts, including Olivia Stomski, professor of practice in the Newhouse School and director of the Newhouse Sports Media Center. Each day from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. ET, experts will discuss various esports topics, including career advice, esports accessibility and e-journalism. The panels will be streamed on YouTube, Mixer, LinkedIn and Microsoft Teams via a live cast. Information on how to access the stream can be found on the University Events Calendar.
“Esports has tremendous potential, both to inspire students to learn 21st-century skills and to show how esports is so much more than simply playing video games,” says Shaaz Nasir, digital advisor at Microsoft. “Microsoft is excited to partner with Syracuse University by harnessing student enthusiasm for esports and offering this unique opportunity for students to learn from thought leaders and turn a passion into life success.”
While other sports may be taking a pause right now, the esports industry continues to grow and provide opportunity to college students to compete, hone skills and explore career opportunities.
Throughout the tournament and summit, students from the Newhouse School, the Falk College and the School of Information Studies will take part in experiential learning opportunities. The students will shout cast and have exposure to experts within various areas of esports. And additional experiential learning opportunities are being developed to continue the experience beyond May 10.
“Through Syracuse University’s partnership with Microsoft, we are turning a new leaf in esports at the University,” says Stomski. “Esports is the present and future industry of students in all schools and colleges within the University, and we’re now able to provide them hands-on exposure to and experience in the field with real experts, projects and engagement.”
