Gaming with a purpose
JCSU is the first Historically Black College and University to boast an Esports Lab, as well as an Esports and Gaming Trifecta:
- Esports and Gaming Management Minor/Certificate Program
- Esports Lab
- Esports Club
Esports and Gaming
History
Since its inception in January 2020, the Esports & Gaming Trifecta at JCSU has become a pioneering force in the esports and gaming arena within the HBCU community.
The program began with a special topics course in Esports and Gaming within the Health and Human Performance program, setting the stage for the official approval of the Esports and Gaming Minor on February 6, 2020, and the launch of the first course (ESG 230) in August 2020.
The trifecta was completed in May 2020 when the first Esports Club member, Keenan Johnson, competed in the first-ever HBCU-focused esports tournament organized by HBCU heroes.
In August of 2023, a new curriculum was offered featuring coursework in esports and gaming management, computer science, marketing and communication.
Achievements
In April 2022, JCSU made history by becoming the first university to scrimmage against an NBA 2K League team. The Esports & Gaming Trifecta also hosted the HBCU Esports and Gaming Week event in partnership with Activision Blizzard in February, 2021, drawing over 400 students and featuring a fireside chat with Johannes Faries, SVP and GM of Call of Duty/Overwatch.
The program has also been highlighted with nominations for prestigious awards like toe 2023 Tempest Esports Program of the Year Award (finalist) and the 2021 Esports Collegiate Award.
Points of Pride
Internships
Within one year of program launch, secured 5 student internships with an industry-leading gaming company, Riot Games
Featured on podcast
CSU's faculty and staff were also featured in the Grio podcast with renowned journalist and professor Dr. Marc Lamont Hill.
Commenting for the Hornets
In June of 2023 an ESG scholar Willie Johnson '25 served as commentator for a Hornets Venom NBA 2K match.
Points of Pride
Internships
Within one year of program launch, secured 5 student internships with an industry-leading gaming company, Riot Games
Featured on podcast
CSU's faculty and staff were also featured in the Grio podcast with renowned journalist and professor Dr. Marc Lamont Hill.
Commenting for the Hornets
In June of 2023 an ESG scholar Willie Johnson '25 served as commentator for a Hornets Venom NBA 2K match.
Points of Pride
Internships
Within one year of program launch, secured 5 student internships with an industry-leading gaming company, Riot Games
Featured on podcast
CSU's faculty and staff were also featured in the Grio podcast with renowned journalist and professor Dr. Marc Lamont Hill.
Commenting for the Hornets
In June of 2023 an ESG scholar Willie Johnson '25 served as commentator for a Hornets Venom NBA 2K match.
Program Recognition
The JCSU Esports & Gaming program has garnered attention on local, regional, national and international levels, including congressional recognition. It was the first HBCU to forge partnerships with corporations such as Riot Games, EA Sports, Nacon Gaming/RIG brands, Amazon Games, Epic Games, CEV Collection, Point3 and Activision Blizzard, among others. The program co-produced with MetArena, a Tampa-based technology company, a notable event, the first of its kind ever to be held in a blockchain ecosystem, the ASCEND HBCU Esports Conference and Career Expo in February 2021.
When U.S. Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona and U.S. Congresswoman Alma Adams of North Carolina visited Johnson C. Smith University, the first stop on their campus tour was our Esports Lab in July 2021. Industry and association leaders reached out to the program to participate in the 2022 White House/HBCU Conference Esports/Gaming Panel and Congressional Black Caucus.
Student Opportunities
JCSU's students have secured internships with Riot Games and competed at high levels, with the team reaching the quarterfinals in a significant esports tournament with a $500,000 prize pool. Scholarships have been provided by the Charlotte Hornets Foundation and Hornets Venom GT to enhance educational and career prospects for students further.
A winning program
JCSU Esports Club has acquired notable victories against well-known colleges and universities, many of which boast varsity esports team.
These include:
- Duke University
- Virginia Tech
- Michigan State University
- LSU
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Clemson University
- The University of North Carolina - Charlotte
- California State University of Los Angeles
- Shenandoah University
In addition to these wins, the JCSU Esports Team was a quarterfinalist in the largest collegiate esports tournament prize pool ever, $500,000.
Beyond the Classroom
The JCSU Esports & Gaming Trifecta has extended its influence beyond academic settings, participating in a video by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and consulting for the Mecklenburg Park and Recreation Department in setting up a gaming center. The program has been actively involved in community engagement through events like Bull Rush the Polls, facilitating K-12 Esports & Gaming drop-in events and educational workshops.
Students in the program also represent themselves at open house events and during other campus recruitment events.
Partnerships
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JCSU has developed strong partnerships with key industry players and participated in various innovative projects, including the first-ever esports event hosted in a blockchain ecosystem and extensive collaborations with gaming companies for internships and scholarships.
The ESG has had a long partnership with the The Charlotte Hornets Foundation and Hornets Venom GT, the official NBA 2K League affiliate of the Charlotte Hornets.
In 2021, the Charlotte Hornets Foundation and Hornets Venom GT donated a scholarship to a JCSU Esports and Gaming Management student, Eric Darcey Flowe. And in March of 2023, the Charlotte Hornets' Venom GT donated a scholarship to the JCSU ESG Trifecta.
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The program was also invited by Amazon Games to participate in the Kickback Edutainment event organized by Cxmunnity.
Students, faculty and staff from all of JCSU's academic colleges have visited the Discovery Place Science Museum to discuss future partnerships and collaborations. ESG has also facilitated an educational workshop on Esports and Gaming during an event at Discovery Place.
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