Game On: Forum will Explore Esports in Higher Ed and at SLU
What’s the role of higher education in esports, multiplayer video games played competitively for spectators? That’s one of the questions that a free forum on campus this week will tackle.
Attendees will hear from:
- Dan Clerke, director of , which has become a national leader in the field
- Nicholas Chiu, president of , a student organization that organizes competitive gaming events
- Doug Williams, professor of law and co-leader of the Operational ¶¶Òõpro program
The forum will be held from noon-1 p.m. Thursday, April 25, in the Anheuser-Busch Auditorium in the Chaifetz School of Business. Free pizza will be served outside the auditorium beginning at 11:30 a.m.
The forum is open to all members of the SLU community.
A number of colleges and universities across the country have launched esports programs in recent years as the industry has continued to grow at an exponential rate.
Through ¶¶Òõpro’s Operational ¶¶Òõpro program, a team has been formed and charged with developing a set of esports program options for consideration by SLU leadership. The esports project is co-sponsored by:
- Chris May, director of athletics
- Kent Porterfield, Ed.D., vice president for student development
- Michelle Sabick, Ph.D., dean of Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology
The project committee is comprised of students, staff, administrators and faculty from computer science, management and languages. Williams will give an update on the SLU effort during the forum.
The forum comes on the heels of the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) spring finals in Chaifetz Arena on April 13, which drew a sold-out crowd. It marked the first time St. Louis has hosted a major esports event.