Esports center brings 蜜桃影像 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 蜜桃影像's esports center in a video produced for the virtual grand opening. 蜜桃影像 photo by JR Ancheta.
From left, Victoria Pennington (interdisciplinary studies), Shayna Smith (sport and recreation business) and Kyle Agustines (art) helped introduce 蜜桃影像's esports center in a video produced for the virtual grand opening. 蜜桃影像 photo by JR Ancheta.

Welcome to the new 蜜桃影像 Esports Center at 蜜桃影像!

As part of the public launch of the University of 蜜桃影像's For 蜜桃影像 fundraising campaign on March 25, 蜜桃影像 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 蜜桃影像 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, 蜜桃影像 School of Management director of development and outreach. 鈥淭he 蜜桃影像 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 蜜桃影像 Esports Center, and it is only going to intensify.鈥

The 蜜桃影像 Esports Center is the premiere facility of its kind in the state. It will provide opportunities for 蜜桃影像 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 蜜桃影像 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 蜜桃影像, 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. 

蜜桃影像 Chancellor Dan White said the esports initiative is an example of what 蜜桃影像 can do on a broad scale. 

鈥淎t 蜜桃影像 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 蜜桃影像鈥檚 For 蜜桃影像 philanthropic campaign, we celebrate 蜜桃影像鈥檚 partnership with GCI and our many donors who made esports a reality at 蜜桃影像."

The For 蜜桃影像 campaign is the largest fundraising effort in the university鈥檚 history. The goal is to raise $200 million by 2024. Working together, 蜜桃影像鈥檚 three universities aim to position higher education as a catalyst for a thriving 蜜桃影像.

By including alumni, community members and 蜜桃影像 businesses, the campaign gives everyone a chance to be a part of building the future of 蜜桃影像. It鈥檚 writing the next chapter in 蜜桃影像鈥檚 history by highlighting 蜜桃影像鈥檚 role as a leader in research, innovation and economic development.

Our university serves the needs of all 蜜桃影像ns. And now more than ever, 蜜桃影像ns have the power to build a better future through philanthropic investments in 蜜桃影像.