New ASU video game lab buffs skills, opportunities for students
Talk about a level up. Alabama State University is giving its campus video gamers a shot at becoming esports champions, plus a path to a career in the game industry.
“Gaming is no longer just a casual hobby,” said Dr. Malinda Swoope, ASU’s vice president of student affairs and enrollment management. “It has really turned into a sport.”
Move over Hornet stadium and Dunn-Oliver Acadome. As of Wednesday, ASU also has its own esports (electronic sports) arena — the new Gaming & Esports Laboratory and Recreational Center in the John Garrick Hardy Student Center.
“This project has given many students the opportunity to express themselves in ways they know best,” said Mobile native Trint Martinez, SGA vice president and a junior political science major at ASU. “It allows students to get out of their comfort zones and express their interest in gaming and esports.”
Martinez said it also gives students an extra boost in science, technology, engineering, math and analyzing data.
“To say I’m excited is an understatement,” said ASU freshman student James Abrams, who has signed up for ASU’s esports. “I am here. I am ready for it.”
The new facility has more than $90,000 in gaming and recreational equipment provided by the Black Collegiate Gaming Association.
“It is officially open, and the students are loving it,” Swoope said.
This facility is the result of a call two years ago from BCGA founder Keisha Walker to ASU president Quinton Ross Jr. Along with helping Black gamers, Walker said it’s about developing Black professionals in the gaming industry.
“I asked (Ross) if he’d be willing to make history with me as I embarked on finding and creating an opportunity to get more Blacks and women of color in a space that is so underrepresented when it comes to the opportunities that matter,” Walker said.
ASU is part of BCGA’s first 16 HBCU esports teams, and ASU’s is the 13th of BCGA’s esports labs, which Walker said are in nine states.
“I must say, this is one of the top three in the country,” Walker said.
The tech is made possible by donations to BCGA from ADT, Sony PlayStation, Lenovo, Intel, HyperX, GameStop and 2K. The city of Montgomery and Councilman Oronde K. Mitchell also provided support, Swoope said.
ASU also thanked Home Depot for providing furniture for the facility.
Swoope said Bennie Cooks, ASU’s director of external operations, is the advisor to ASU’s esports team. Around 20 students had signed up as of Wednesday.
“They can compete against each other in tournaments, but they will also be competing beyond the 16 (HBCU) universities as well,” Swoope said.
Swoope said esports will offer a new kind of sports inclusion at ASU beyond traditional athletics.
“Now, I’m a gamer. I love sitting in front of the television or sitting in front of the computer playing video games, and now I can really make a living out of this,” Swoope said. “I can become a competitive gamer. It’s a lucrative business now.”
Esports tournaments are a growing global phenomenon, with major sponsors and prizes. By 2030, esports is projected to be a $5.74 billion market, according to Straits Research. Video game competitions are even being considered for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
“This gives ASU students a real edge,” Swoopes said.
It’s a facility for all ASU students
No, being on the esports team isn’t a requirement to use ASU’s gaming gear. The facility is open to all ASU students.
“I want to encourage all the students to take full advantage of the opportunities and initiatives that Alabama State has provided them,” Swoope said. “At the end of the day, this is all about them.”
Only them, for now. The facility is not open to the general public. “We have to have some level of structure,” Swoope said. “We can’t just open it up to the public.”
However, Swoope said ASU is also looking at adding enrichment and summer programs for youth through area schools and churches.
No matter who is playing, there will be some rules for gaming.
No food or drinks allowed with the games: Students can’t eat and play at the same time here. Fortunately, there’s a food court nearby, so gamers can eat and drink before or after they play.
To keep academics a priority, this is not a 24/7 facility: Gamers often play overnight at home, but not here. For safety and security reasons, the center will at least close with the building’s hours. Swoope said they also don’t want the facility to become a hindrance for ASU students going to class.
“We are still in the process of sorting out our hours of operation,” Swoope said.
For ASU students who want something besides video games, Swoope said the new facility has a recreation center to play pool, ping pong, foosball, cards and checkers.
“The whole purpose is really to keep the students engaged when they’re outside of the classroom,” Swoope said.
Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: ASU buffs student gamers' skills, opportunities with video game lab
