Syracuse University Celebrates the Completion of New Gaming and Esports Center

On Friday, January 17, 2025, Syracuse University celebrated the opening of a new Gaming and Esports Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Ashley McGraw Architects served as the Architect of Record with Populous as Design Architect for the new facility that spans 5,800 square feet within the Schine Student Center. This prominent space serves as a hub for both casual and competitive gaming activities. Its focal point is an elevated competition stage for the University’s Varsity Esports Team. This stage is outfitted with 10 gaming stations, each equipped with streaming cameras and large video displays that bring the action to life, showing live game stats, graphics, and replay footage to assembled spectators.

The center welcomes gamers of every skill level, offering 24 premium gaming PCs alongside a variety of gaming consoles including PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo systems. Students can also explore virtual and augmented reality experiences, try their hand at two professional racing simulators, enjoy classic arcade machines, or gather for traditional tabletop games. The facility's technical backbone includes dedicated streaming rooms, a control center, and a fully equipped server room that connects with the Newhouse School's production assets, enabling seamless content creation and broadcasting.

Joey Gawrysiak, Executive Director of Esports at SU, remarked during the ribbon cutting, “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,”

Derek GoodroeJanuary 23, 2025