Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Grand Valley State University Adds Esports Center

  • By Matt Jones
  • 01/12/23

Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich., recently debuted the newest addition to its campus, the Laker Esports Center. The center features Extron technology and features 25 gaming stations, a coaching station, and two wall-mounted displays, according to a news release. The stations are arranged in pods allowing individual or team play, and multiple pods can participate in group play at the same time.

An AV switching system allows coaches and spectators to watch and hear the game itself, as well as player communication via headphones with integrated microphones. Two 75” displays—one in the center of the room and one in the adjoining dining hall—can show any combination of gameplay, player stats, commentary, or background data, the news release reports.

“After attending Extron webinars and studying their Esports Design Guide and other reference materials, I felt confident that we could design our esports center in house,” said John F. Klein, GVSU’s Associate Director and Program Manager of Information Technology. “With a little help from Extron engineers, we did.”

The news release reports that the school’s IT team designed the system with “an Extron DTP CrossPoint 4K seamless presentation matrix switcher, a ShareLink Pro wireless collaboration gateway, an SMP 351 streaming media processor, and pendent speakers.” The main display uses an MGP 641 multi-window processor to allow up to four windows at a time. DTP HD 330 distribution amplifiers send video signals to displays in the dining hall, while TouchLink Pro panels allow control from various points in the Center.

“We standardized on Extron because they’re built well, have the features we want, and they last,” said Klein.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Moline-Coal Valley School District to Consolidate Two Schools into New Facility

    The Moline-Coal Valley School District in Moline, Ill., recently broke ground on a new elementary school that will consolidate the students and staff from two existing schools, according to local news. Robert Ontiveros Elementary School will serve as the new home for Lincoln-Irving Elementary School and Willard Elementary School.

  • Tennessee Middle School Completes Health, Life Safety Renovations

    The Giles County Board of Education in Pulaski, Tenn., recently announced that a series of renovation projects has been completed at Bridgeforth Middle School, according to a news release. The district partnered with Wold Architects & Engineers and Brindley Construction to modernize building systems at one of the district’s oldest schools.

  • Cal Poly Humboldt Starts Construction on Healthcare Education Hub

    California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt in Arcata, Calif., recently announced that work has begun on a renovation project that will turn the Stewart Building into a new Healthcare Education Hub, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Sundt Construction Inc. for construction services.

  • Deferred Maintenance Issues Growing at Universities, Gordian Reports

    U.S. colleges and universities are falling increasingly behind on facilities maintenance and repair, according to Gordian’s 13th annual State of Facilities in Higher Education report. The deferred capital renewal burden has reached $156 per gross square foot, an 8% increase over the previous year.