As part of the new $32 million Center for Virtual Learning at Ferris State University, the school is building a state of the art esports arena that will be the only one of its kind in the state of Michigan.
New students are coming to Ferris State University thanks to the school’s new dedicated esports arena. FSU’s new esports arena is the first of its kind in Michigan, and is bringing students interested in competitive gaming, and the careers associated with that growing industry, to the state.
Ferris State’s esports arena is the centerpiece of the university’s new $32 million Center for Virtual Learning, which will celebrate its grand opening at the end of August at the school’s Big Rapids campus.
In an article posted on Ferris State University’s website, Jono Eaton, who serves as the school’s Esports Coordinator, talked about the new state of the art arena’s ability to give enhanced opportunities to gather and present relays for esports teams during competition, and how it provides a space for fans of esports. The arena will be able to accommodate 18 participating teams, which is in line with the growth goals of the esports program.
“We will be able to show off our 74 varsity athletes, competing in national collegiate leagues in a manner that was impossible before. Our technical capabilities to support producers and directors who head up game broadcasts, along with ‘casters’ who describe the action, take a big leap forward, thanks to the design and outfitting of our arena,” said Eaton.
Esports is the short form of the term electronic sports, and is a form of competition in the realm of video games. Players compete in games that allow both individual or team play. So far, more than 240 universities and colleges have esports teams, comprising more than 5,000 student athletes, according to the Kansas City-based nonprofit the National Association of Collegiate Esports.
Ferris State’s Esports program was created back in 2017. Eaton mentioned that since then, there has been steady growth with the program reaching 500 members. Assistant Kyle Wilkowksi and a team of dedicated students have worked to bring themselves to the forefront of the collegiate esports scene. Eaton does not see the program slowing down in any way as this new stage of esports at FSU begins.
“We had so many recruits who waited for the venue to be built and are coming to Ferris, that includes current online students switching over to study on campus. Those learning in Esports Production understand how the arena will accentuate their studies,” said Eaton, who also serves on the NACE Competition Council.
Ferris State University started its bachelor of science in Professional Esports Production curriculum back in the Fall 2022 semester. Adam Antor, a leading advocate for and instructor in esports both regionally and nationally, is set to join program chair Varun Singireddy.
Eaton spoke highly of Antor, saying, “Adam has been a keynote speaker at collegiate esports conventions and chaired the Competition Council for the National Association of Collegiate Esports. He returns to West Michigan after advancing from Aquinas College to Florida Southern College and we are so glad to have someone of his stature as part of our team.”
The new esports arena’s debut event is a competition taking place on Tuesday, August 22. According to Eaton, the final amenities for the facility recently arrived on August 7, making the arena ready for guests.
Eaton talked about the future of the program, saying, “Our goal is to be the top collegiate Esports production site around, and we have made great preparations so our arena is the best it can be. We will be ready for and anxiously await the fall and our program’s future there.”
In addition to the esports gaming program and facilities, the Center for Virtual Learning will also contain the Digital Animation and Game Design curriculum and the Informational Security and Intelligence program. The Center will also house the offices for the School of Education and instruction for the Digital Media Software Engineering program.
More information about the Center for Virtual Learning can be found on the center's webpage.
More information about everything offered by Ferris State University can be found on the school’s website.