eSports at EIU
The enthusiasm behind computer and console gaming is backed by a robust global gaming community, which drives more than $43 billion in worldwide revenue annually. Because of its widespread popularity and influence, universities like Eastern are embracing the unique eSports audience by creating a dedicated campus space where gamers and gaming enthusiasts can gather and interact as part of a broader student engagement experience.
eSports Arena
The EIU eSports arena is proudly housed and maintained in the Student Recreation Center in Room 2710 located in Lantz Arena. The arena is free to all full-time on-campus students.
eSports Equipment Hardware
Equipment available to students in the arena includes:
- 13 MSI Infinite X Plus 9SD 273US Core i7 9700K 3.6 GHz - 16 GB machines with gaming monitors
- 12 Spawn Gaming Chairs and computer stations
- Two 55" Samsung Flat Screen TVs
- Two Nintendo Switches
- X-Box One X
- Playstation 4
eSports Titles and Team Captains
Current teams for Fall 2021 are being assembled. If you are interested in captaining one of the open teams or fielding a new eSports team please email please email Ethan White at edwhite2@eiu.edu or message him on his Discord handle KingRalphthe1st#1941
Team Co-Captains: Devin Craig and Deonte Williams
Discord: Brutus#4980 and Mista#2248
eSports RSO Club
The purpose of the eSports RSO at Eastern Illinois University is to give students the opportunity to compete on certain video games at a competitive/semi-professional level with outside organizations, other universities, and tournaments. This club meets monthly on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. on Discord. To request an temporary invite to the the eSports Discord channel please email club President Ethan White. Email: edwhite2@eiu.edu
Teams practice throughout the week in the arena or remotely.
Dues for Fall 2021 are $20. Dues may be paid in cash to Dr. Gabe Grant, EIU eSports Club Advisor. Students that pay dues in cash must fill out the form located at the link below. Instructions on how to get your payment to Dr. Grant are located at the link below.
Fill out the eSports Code of Conduct Consent
Dues may also be paid electronically. Students that pay dues electronically will incur a small additional fee for processing. Pay your dues electronically at the site located in the link below.
Pay your dues and consent electronically
For general questions about the club, or to request access to the Discord server after dues are paid please email Ethan White at edwhite2@eiu.edu or message him on his Discord handle KingRalphthe1st#1941
All members of the club are required to abide by the EIU Student Code of Conduct, the EIU eSports RSO Code of Conduct, and the Arena Usage Guidelines.
eSports Collaboration
The audience for eSports includes more than just gamers — it includes game designers and producers as well. To help meet the growing demand for professionals in that field, EIU’s digital media degree program has been designed to prepare students in gaming and animation arenas — specifically in career roles such as technical artists, animators, game developers, graphic designers, and game programmers. Students in EIU’s digital media degree program can also strategically focus their studies on a product’s overall concept-to-console development, motion capture technology, 3D modeling and design, computer-driven character creation and object animation, object-oriented programming, and virtual reality simulation.
eSports Scholarships
Eastern Illinois University offers one-of-a-kind "Level Up" scholarships for eSports enthusiasts who have the potential to lead and contribute to the eSports community. We are looking for individuals who can compete and contribute to a healthy and positive gaming environment in our registered student organizations and in our eSports arena. If selected, these scholarships increase each year as faculty advisors affirm the recipients' commitment to contributing to the eSports community in leadership, coaching, mentorship, sportsmanship, and peer support.
Apply for an eSports Scholarship
Learn More about eSports
Still have questions about eSports? Check out this document put together by Ian McCormack, EIU instructor in Digital Media.
Also feel free to contact one of the eSports club advisors below.
