US-based college Fairfield University has become the latest school to embrace the rise of competitive esports. It has opened a new esports gaming lab to host the university’s competitive esports teams and Gaming Club.
The lab, which Fairfield partnered with Future Tech Enterprises, Inc. to outfit, features Lenovo’s Legion-brand of gaming laptops as well as desktops, keyboards, monitors, headsets and accessories.
Installation of the gaming quarters began in March and was completed several months later in July.
As part of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Esports League, Fairfield students participating in competitive esports play start their regular season in October and also have the opportunity to compete in a conference championship. Fellow MAAC schools Canisius College, Marist College, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Saint Peter’s University and Siena College also have esports teams.
Fairfield students can also enjoy the lab as members of Fairfield’s Gaming Club, a non-competitive social club.
Over 200 colleges in the US have opened similar gaming facilities in recent years. Esports is a great way to drive student engagement and connections, as well as attract prospective students. It is also an industry that continues to grow and offer up new job opportunities for students in almost any discipline including advertising, design, finance, marketing, and technology.
