Syracuse Sun

On this episode, Joey Gawrysiak discusses the evolution of the esports program on campus, the progress made in its first year, the expanded opportunities available to students, and what’s planned for the future.

Beginning in the fall, Syracuse University’s electronic sports (esports) academic degree program will welcome admitted students to campus for classes. This past academic year served as “Year Zero” for the esports degree program, which employs a holistic, experiential learning-based approach that aims to prepare students for career success in various industries. The program leverages the largest collection of faculty and staff members of any esports program on a college campus.

The venture includes both an academic degree program and competitive teams that vie for national championships in their respective games. Academically, students who embark on this first-of-its-kind esports communications and management program—offered jointly by the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics—will pursue one of three tracks:

1. Esports business and management: covering topics such as sport promotion, sport venue management, and finance for emerging enterprises.

2. Esports communications: including coursework in virtual reality storytelling, esports advertising, public relations principles, and sports in the metaverse.

3. Esports media and design: focused on 3D animation, game experience design, and virtual production.

Competitively, Syracuse University fielded its first varsity esports squad in January. The Orange won a national championship in Counter-Strike and experienced considerable success across other varsity and club sports teams.

Joey Gawrysiak was hired last August as executive director of the esports degree program to bring his visionary research and skills to campus. His role is pivotal in helping Syracuse capitalize on the growing popularity of esports while continuing to offer students innovative career options in emerging fields.

“Students will get a world-class education from esports-specific faculty that are at the top of their field in researching and teaching esports,” says Gawrysiak. “With industry connections that will help you find an experience, a capstone, an internship, and a job—that’s part of your educational journey.” Gawrysiak previously developed one of the first esports degrees in the country at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia. He notes that best-in-class esports facilities currently underway on campus will create standout opportunities for students to engage with esports and gaming.

In this “‘Cuse Conversation,” Gawrysiak discusses further details about the evolution of the esports program on campus during its inaugural year.

Check out episode 164 of “‘Cuse Conversations” podcast featuring Gawrysiak; a transcript [PDF] is also available.