Verizon and CommunityX Provides New Esports Gaming Lab for Dillard University Esports Club
The esports gaming lab is home to the University’s new esports club, the Dillard Demons. The University partnered with CommunityX and Verizon, who, in the summer of 2021, provided a grant of $200,000 to assist Dillard with space design, consultation on technology, and equipment procurement. The funds will also be used to provide scholarships for women interested in gaming or STEM. The new lab features state-of-the-art gaming furniture, desktops, keyboards, monitors, headsets, and bold University branding.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Daiton Bourque ‘25 said, “This e-gaming lab opening and scholarship opportunity is something I didn’t expect to happen during my time at Dillard. The e-gaming lab will be a great opportunity for not only us computer science majors to play video games, but it’s also an opportunity to connect and be ourselves.”
Esports is the organized, competitive video gaming between individuals or teams. Hundreds of colleges and universities now feature e-gaming spaces, some even offering gaming scholarships. Tournaments are held virtually on a global scale, with revenues expected to exceed $3 billion in 2023, according to the recent Newzoo Global Cloud Gaming Report.
“Students have consistently expressed an interest in the field of gaming, so we are really pleased to provide a space right here in the union where they can learn and play”, said Dr. Courtney Williams, assistant dean and director of Dillard’s Center for Students’ Engagement and Leadership.
Dillard’s Center for Career and Professional Development will also host several employers who are interested in providing internships and job opportunities for Dillard students.
While the Dillard Demons e-club is not an intercollegiate team, the University is giving intercollegiate play consideration and a certification of significance. Students interested in joining the Dillard Demons or learning about our gaming initiatives, email studentengagement@dillard.edu.
