Esports center brings 有料盒子视频 students the latest technology

By Katie Straub

Picture yourself in a modern, fun, welcoming environment where you can connect with others, build on shared interests, learn and grow together, all while exploring the latest technology 鈥 and, oh yeah, with very fast internet.

From left, Victoria Pennington (interdisciplinary studies), Shayna Smith (sport and recreation business) and Kyle Agustines (art) helped introduce 有料盒子视频's esports center in a video produced for the virtual grand opening. 有料盒子视频 photo by JR Ancheta.
From left, Victoria Pennington (interdisciplinary studies), Shayna Smith (sport and recreation business) and Kyle Agustines (art) helped introduce 有料盒子视频's esports center in a video produced for the virtual grand opening. 有料盒子视频 photo by JR Ancheta.

Welcome to the new 有料盒子视频 Esports Center at 有料盒子视频!

As part of the public launch of the University of 有料盒子视频's For 有料盒子视频 fundraising campaign on March 25, 有料盒子视频 hosted a . This was a chance to celebrate a $500,000 multiyear commitment from GCI to support the center. GCI鈥檚 gift, along with contributions from the 有料盒子视频 Alumni Association, School of Management and eCampus, as well as the UA Office of Information Technology, made the dream of a modern gaming space on campus a reality.

鈥淭his state-of-the-art facility is just the beginning,鈥 said Tammy Tragis-McCook, 有料盒子视频 School of Management director of development and outreach. 鈥淭he 有料盒子视频 esports program is a tool to recruit and engage students. There are plans for a varsity team, more esports classes and even scholarships. There is already an excitement from students about the 有料盒子视频 Esports Center, and it is only going to intensify.鈥

The 有料盒子视频 Esports Center is the premiere facility of its kind in the state. It will provide opportunities for 有料盒子视频 students to collaborate, cooperate and compete. Research shows that esports help competitors, especially adults, develop strategic communication skills as well as adaptability and resourcefulness. This state-of-the-art facility is a modern space with a focus on diversity and inclusion.

鈥淲e鈥檙e really proud of this incredible space to house such a progressive program,鈥 said Pam Lloyd, GCI vice president of corporate strategy for government, health care and education. 鈥淎t GCI we see esports as more than just an activity. It鈥檚 about providing impactful and inclusive programs for students of all interests, no matter their ZIP code.鈥

GCI and 有料盒子视频 share a vision of equity and inclusion. The communication company鈥檚  philanthropic investment will help modernize the student experience. As the university enters the public phase of the campaign For 有料盒子视频, GCI鈥檚 investment shows how philanthropy directly impacts the experience of each student. It moves the university forward and provides the fuel needed to reach strategic goals faster. 

有料盒子视频 Chancellor Dan White said the esports initiative is an example of what 有料盒子视频 can do on a broad scale. 

鈥淎t 有料盒子视频 we are modernizing the student experience by providing a state-of-the art esports facility accompanied by a student-focused and learning-driven co-curricular program,鈥 he said. 鈥淎s we launch the University of 有料盒子视频鈥檚 For 有料盒子视频 philanthropic campaign, we celebrate 有料盒子视频鈥檚 partnership with GCI and our many donors who made esports a reality at 有料盒子视频."

The For 有料盒子视频 campaign is the largest fundraising effort in the university鈥檚 history. The goal is to raise $200 million by 2024. Working together, 有料盒子视频鈥檚 three universities aim to position higher education as a catalyst for a thriving 有料盒子视频.

By including alumni, community members and 有料盒子视频 businesses, the campaign gives everyone a chance to be a part of building the future of 有料盒子视频. It鈥檚 writing the next chapter in 有料盒子视频鈥檚 history by highlighting 有料盒子视频鈥檚 role as a leader in research, innovation and economic development.

Our university serves the needs of all 有料盒子视频ns. And now more than ever, 有料盒子视频ns have the power to build a better future through philanthropic investments in 有料盒子视频.