Playing Videos Games Encouraged At This Florida University

ST. LEO, FL — Students playing video games is not simply tolerated at this Florida university — it's encouraged.

On Wednesday, Saint Leo University's residential campus in Pasco County unveiled its newest amenity, its 12-station Esports Arena.

The new arena will serve as the home to the university’s new esports team. When not in use by the team, other students may use the arena and increase their skills using state-of-the-art gaming stations.

While some people may think of esports as “just sitting around playing video games,” the sport requires skills, challenges the mind and uses the latest technology. Esports is one of the most rapidly growing sports and is on track to surpass $1 billion in revenue for the first time this year, according to Business Insider’s Esports Ecosystem Report 2021.

“The popularity of esports is rapidly growing across the nation, and I think this is just a great opportunity for Saint Leo’s students to compete and have fun,” University President Jeffrey Senese said. “I wanted to offer our students a wonderful place to practice and compete in, and this arena fits the bill."

"Higher education has looked to gamification as a way to teach, and esports is offering our students opportunities to learn and grow," Senese said. "They will work together as a team and as individuals. It’s also a great way to showcase Saint Leo’s computer science and cybersecurity programs. We’re excited to launch this great new club sport and arena.”

Saint Leo’s esports team is a school-sponsored and -funded club sport that fields competitive, multiplayer teams in League of Legends, Rocket League and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate games. The university’s state-of-the-art gaming stations also will stream to the Building 5 lobby onto four big-screen TVs, so the audience size could be 100 or more. In addition, the team has a Twitch profile so matches can be streamed via Twitch to people around the world.

Saint Leo’s Department of Instructional Technology team worked with Joel Madru, the team’s coach and manager, to design the technological features of the computers and periphery equipment, said Dr. Jen Shaw, vice president of student affairs.

“They made sure there is technology such as a high-refresh rate for the monitors, which is necessary in gaming,” Shaw said. “In addition, our chairs and tables come from the No. 1 esports furniture manufacturer and are designed ergonomically so that the players are comfortable and have the best possible environment. University Brand Marketing created gorgeous wall wraps of Saint Leo scenery. It is a beautiful space located in the Building 5 lobby so that it is accessible to all students when the esports team isn’t practicing or playing a match.

“We are excited to provide this incredible facility for our competitive intercollegiate esports team as well as the student body,” Shaw said. “Esports connects directly to several Saint Leo majors including cybersecurity and computer science and teaches teamwork and leadership skills. This venue is a great addition to the world-class resources Saint Leo offers its students.”

Madru praised his team at Wednesday’s grand opening. “Standing before you are 21 esports student-athletes,” he said. “Hopefully, we will bring a trophy back to Saint Leo.”

Madru said he is interested in “developing the whole student." As the team practices together, its members are growing, coming together as a team and becoming friends and competitors, he said.

He introduced Chrisalyn Junkert and Caleb Hunt as the new team captains.

“Thank you to everyone who is here now,” Hunt said. “I appreciate your support to make this all happen.”

Hunt said being on the team is a big commitment, and he encouraged any student who is interested in gaming to join. The team will help him or her learn and compete.

In addition to Senese and Shaw, Chief Technology Officer Manny Rodriguez and Student Government Union President Ashley Butler gave welcoming comments.

A superstar team featuring Dr. Barbara Caldwell, chair of accounting, finance,and economics; Frank Orlando, director of the Saint Leo University Polling Institute and political science instructor; Dr. Melanie Storms, senior vice president, tried out the arena along with Senese and “competed” under the guidance of Madru and team member Gabriel Tice. The team later gave Senese his own gaming controller.

Saint Leo is a private, nonprofit Catholic university offers liberal arts programs to 18,200 students each year.