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 ’26)
Continuing to innovate as a leading higher education institution for electronic sports (or esports) and gaming in the United States, Syracuse University has officially opened its new, state-of-the-art Gaming and Esports Center—an 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.
“This 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,” said Syracuse University Chancellor and President Kent Syverud, during its opening celebration Friday. “No other university of our stature is investing in esports like we are. This gives Syracuse University a unique opportunity to level up while others aren’t even in the game.”
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’s 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 Joey Gawrysiak, executive director of esports, including the first-of-its-kind esports communications and management degree program, offered jointly by the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and the David B. Falk College of Sport.
The center will house the University’s 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.
“We’re setting a new standard for what esports and gaming can be, and Syracuse University is embracing the impact esports and gaming can have at an institution of higher education,” Gawrysiak says. “This space shows that we’re 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.”
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 Gen.G have collaborated on a multi-year partnership designed to enhance student engagement opportunities and support the University’s 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’s Campus Takeover conference and program to Syracuse to celebrate the University’s Gaming and Esports Center.
The center also features a production area—where students can receive real-world experiences live streaming varsity and club esports competitions—and a space for student broadcasters to provide play-by-play and color commentary from the matches.
Will Delgado ’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’s social media channels. Delgado shot, edited and produced the esports promotional video that was shown during Friday’s grand opening.
Will Delgado
“This 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,” says Delgado, who is studying both supply chain management in the Martin J. Whitman School of Management and television, radio and film in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
“By getting involved with esports, students can walk away with career skills and experiences that will serve them well in this industry. I should know, as I want to merge my passions for gaming, esports and content creation into an esports career when I graduate,” says Delgado, who is a resident advisor for an esports-centric Living Learning Community in Haven Hall.
During the ceremony, Syracuse University’s 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’s 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 Syracuse University esports team. (Photo by Cathleen O’Hare)
