Esports: A New Era in Collegiate Sports

The esports program at Grand Canyon University (GCU) is creating waves in Arizona’s collegiate sports scene. With over 2,000 active gamers, GCU has fortified itself as a vanguard of collegiate esports in Arizona. The university’s esports program has not only gained the limelight for its prowess in competitive gaming but also for its thriving gaming community.

Building an Impressive Esports Legacy

GCU’s journey into the world of esports began in 2019 when ESPN hosted the inaugural Overwatch College Esports Championship. This event marked a significant shift in the Valley’s esports culture. GCU’s esports team grabbed the opportunity to compete against some of the best universities in the country, making its mark on one of the nation’s biggest sports networks.

The success of GCU’s esports club caught the attention of the university’s president, leading to substantial support from the university for the program’s continued growth. This has resulted in one of the strongest communities on campus.

A Thriving Gaming Community

GCU now houses an esports lounge on campus, located on the second floor of the technology building. The lounge, spread across a 3,200-square-foot room, features over 72 gaming PC setups and six TVs for console play on Playstation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch. This space caters to both competitive and casual gamers, hosting daily events to encourage isolated gamers to engage in their community.

The lounge’s success can be attested by its explosive growth – from 500 members in 2019 to a whopping 2,000 active gamers today. The lounge has gained the reputation of being a “second home” for these gamers. It has also witnessed a significant increase in female participation, with women now constituting 25% of the club’s members, thanks to the biweekly “Women’s Wednesday” program.

Competitive Gaming: The Heart of Esports

While fostering a casual gaming community, GCU has also maintained a strong focus on competitive gaming. In March, GCU hosted the inaugural Western Cactus League Tournament, marking the first time Arizona’s four major universities competed in an in-person LAN Tournament. The winners of this tournament qualified for the Collegiate Esports Commissioner’s Cup 2024, a national LAN tournament also known as May Madness.

The Western Cactus League Tournament is just the beginning of what could potentially lead to an esports consortium in Arizona. The goal is to expand competitive gaming from major universities to local junior high and high school events. However, this would require more schools to follow in GCU’s footsteps.

According to GCU esports director Jay DeShong, “Esports is number two to basketball for reasons why students come to GCU.” This highlights the significant impact of esports not only on student life but also on the university’s reputation.

GCU: A Trailblazer in Collegiate Esports

GCU’s early venture into esports has set a new precedent for other schools. The university has demonstrated how an esports program, when implemented correctly, can bring substantial returns and benefits. By hiring people familiar with esports and gaming culture, GCU has managed to operate its teams in the most effective way possible, making it a prime example of a university doing esports “the right way.”