Old Dominion University to Launch Esports Program

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

  • Fellowes Launches New 3D Modular, Product Configurators

    Contract interiors and architectural solutions provider Fellowes recently announced the launch of new 3D modular and product configurators for several of its product lines, according to a news release. The new products offer SIF file integration and pricing for the Volo, Markerboards, Sena, and Rising product lines in connection with 3D Cloud, which provides 3D product visualization and 3D digital asset management.

  • Epson Receives Seven AV Industry Awards

    Projectors manufacturer Epson recently announced that it received multiple awards across the Higher Ed AV Awards, SCN Stellar Service Awards, and InfoComm 2025, according to a news release. The company was recognized for three projectors from its PowerLite L-Series line, accessories, installation process, and its customer support team.

  • old university building with visible aging signs, overlaid with digital data graphics like thermal maps, charts, and system icons

    Modernizing Higher Education Infrastructure: Why Smarter Facility Management Is Essential to Protecting Aging Schools

    Schools now have the opportunity to adopt smarter, more strategic approaches to futureproof operations and enhance the on-campus experience.

  • Addressing the Housing Affordability Crisis Through Creative Campus Development

    Many Southern California college and university campuses are living amidst surging housing costs, driving the need to house more of their populations on campus. Especially for community colleges, the need to support millions of unhoused and housing insecure students has become a prominent issue that lawmakers and institutions alike are trying to solve.

Digital Edition