Syracuse University Becomes Leader in Esports
New facilities and a new major provide exciting opportunities for academics, recreation and competition.
It’s been a big year for esports at Syracuse University. The fall semester marked the launch of a new major in esports communications and management, and, in January, the University opened a state-of-the-art Gaming and Esports Center within the Schine Student Center.
“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,” says Joey Gawrysiak, executive director of Syracuse University’s new esports communications and management degree program.
The program, one of only a few of its kind offered by a major university, is a joint effort of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and the David B. Falk School of Human Dynamics and includes three tracks: Esports Business and Management; Esports Communications; and Esports Media and Design.
“The esports program is a natural extension of Syracuse University’s leadership in sport-related programs and commitment to 21st century academic excellence,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “This new major is the latest example of Syracuse University innovating, expanding career options in emerging fields and delivering programs students want.”
At the start of the spring semester, Syracuse University opened a 5,800-square-foot Esports and Gaming Center inside the Schine Student Center. The state-of-the art space is the second recreational gaming and esports facility on campus, following the esports gaming room at The Barnes Center at The Arch, which has attracted more than 100,000 visits by students since opening in 2019.
The center houses the University’s esports varsity teams, which launched with open tryouts this fall and kicked off an inaugural season as members of the Power Esports Conference. The competition area features an elevated stage with 10 computers where teams square off. Each computer has a camera attached to the top for live streaming and video boards running in front of and behind the stage display match stats, graphics and video replays to spectators.
The facility is intended for gamers of all levels and interests and is also outfitted with 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.
In addition, the center 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-bplay and color commentary from the matches.
Will Delgado ’26 has been involved with esports since his first year on campus, both as a broadcaster and as a content creator for the esports program’s social media channels. He’s also resident advisor for an esports-centric Living Learning Community in Haven Hall, offered for the first time this academic year.“By getting involved with esports, students can walk away with career skills and experiences that will serve them well in this industry,” says Delgado, who hopes to merge his passions for gaming, esports and content creation into an esports career when he graduates.
Our Time Has Come Scholar Jacques Megnizin ’25 is also augmenting his academic experience through Syracuse University esports. A communications design major in the School of Visual and Performing Arts, Megnizin is currently a design intern for Syracuse’s varsity esports team. “As an avid gamer myself, I thought it was the perfect intersection of my knowledge of esports and my love for design,” he says.
Megnizin is responsible for the design of social media pages, scorecards and display graphics, and also created a style and brand guide for the team. “It’s been a great experience in terms of understanding a clients’ needs and also time management in terms of getting graphics ready to post for games,” he says.
This summer, the University will begin construction on a third esports venue—a competitive esports arena inside the Marley Building. The facility will provide real-world, professional experiences to esports student-athletes and to members of the esports academic degree program.