Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Old Dominion University to Launch Esports Program

  • 11/12/19

NORFOLK, VA – Old Dominion University (ODU) will become the first four-year public institution in Virginia to join the world of esports with a new varsity program beginning in the fall of 2020.

Managed by the Department of Recreation and Wellness, ODU's Esports Program will be a member of the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), which has more than 160 institutional members across the country.

"Formal and informal varsity esports teams have grown significantly across the country over the past several years," says Grant Deppen, assistant director of intramural sports. "Seventy-five percent of young people between the ages of 13 and 17 play games on a regular basis."

The rapid growth of esports leagues across North America, Europe, and Asia have made millions in prize money and live-streaming deals. In July, 16-year-old Kyle Giersdorf of Pennsylvania won $3 million as the champion of the Fortnite World Cup. Through varsity esports, ODU students can win prizes or scholarship funds from event organizers based on their performance in worldwide tournaments.

The Webb University Center will be the home of the esports program. Roughly 2,400 square feet will be retrofitted with high-end gaming computer systems and consoles available for recreational use by all students and varsity teams. The space will also include a section that allows the varsity competitions to be broadcast and streamed online.

"There are two large gaming student organizations on campus currently; the ODU Esports Club and the Super Smash Association. The ODU Esports Club plays competitively in Rocket League, League of Legends, Overwatch, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and others," Deppen says.

In addition to a section of the space for live streaming competitions of the varsity teams, computers equipped with game design software will support student academic and entrepreneurial game development opportunities.

"We see the esports and gamification phenomenon happening at all levels of education and professional development," Deppen says. "This program and facility will provide significant opportunities for students to hone their skills for majors such as game design studies, graphic design, sport management, cybersecurity, modeling & simulation, computer engineering and computer science and many of the other academic disciplines that the university offers."

For more information, contact Grant Deppen, assistant director, Recreation & Wellness, at [email protected] or visit odu.edu/esports.

Featured

  • Preparing for the Next Era of Healthcare Education, Innovation

    Across the country, public universities and community colleges are accelerating investments in healthcare education facilities as part of a broader strategy to address workforce shortages, modernize outdated infrastructure, and expand clinical training capacity. These projects, which are often located at the center of campus health and science districts, are no longer limited to traditional classrooms.

  • UT System Board of Regents Approves $108M Housing Complex

    The University of Texas System Board of Regents recently announced the approval of a new, $108-million housing complex at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), according to a news release. The facility will stand four stories and have a total of 456 new beds for freshmen students.

  • concentric silhouettes of a human head

    How Physical Space Shapes the Mind: Designing for Better Learning Outcomes

    Research in environmental psychology and neuroscience increasingly suggests that the way a room is designed can influence memory, focus, or even a student's sense of belonging.

  • LSU Breaks Ground on $200M Residential Project

    Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La., recently broke ground on a new residential complex, according to university news. The South Quad residential project will consist of two buildings and add a total of 1,266 beds for freshmen students. The development comes with a price tag of $200 million, and it’s scheduled to open to students in fall 2027.

Digital Edition