Esports – an industry where skills meet adrenaline levels and where virtual meets reality – is a growing community at Syracuse University that invites you to consider studying industry-specific competencies in event management and marketing, broadcasting and production, communications, content creation, entrepreneurship, strategic communications and visual and media design. Our Bachelors of Science degree in Esports Communication and Management is the first-of-its-kind degree that provides holistic esports education based in experiential learning, preparing you for exciting careers in esports and related industries.
You’ll learn in state-of-the-art production and gaming facilities where the esports program will host events for the campus community and with other colleges and organizations. You’ll have the opportunity to meet industry professionals, intern at prominent companies and explore the esports industry around the world, including potential learning trips to cities such as London, Seoul and Amsterdam.
Beyond the classroom and academics, our competitive esports teams compete at varsity, club and recreational levels. These competitive teams give you a place to practice your craft and get involved with event production and management. Whether it’s shoutcasting and player interviews, or event advertising and social media promotion, you’ll learn all aspects of producing an esports broadcast and event. With 38 state-of-the-art PCs, the Barnes Center at the Arch offers gaming amenities available to all students. And in the Schine Student Center, the Gaming and Esports Center will include 34 PCs, console and tabletop gaming, VR booths, sim-racing stations and a full suite of broadcast and event production elements.
Speaking of games, Syracuse University is a participant in the Power Conference, a first-of-its-kind collaboration to create memorable and meaningful competitive opportunities for our students, alumni and partners. This conference brings together like-minded institutions to highlight some of the best and brightest in collegiate esports. A few games that may resonate include VALORANT, Overwatch 2, Rocket League and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
As a successful semi-pro, Cheverie-Leonard was recruited to play varsity esports by several schools, but Syracuse proved to be the best overall fit. “I liked having the ability to help shape the esports program at Syracuse,” he says. “A lot of schools have great esports business professionals that helped shape their programs, but not many have esports players that shaped them.”
“The esports world is so new, it’s all about taking chances,” he continues. “Rokkr took a chance on me when I was balancing school, activities and playing at a high level. In a way, I took a chance on Syracuse, trying to envision the best possible outcome for a program with so much potential.”
Feeling inspired? Continue to read Braeden’s story and consider connecting with the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications to learn more.