Endicott College Powers Up Esports with a Groundbreaking Program

BEVERLY–In the newly built esports lab at Endicott College, there’s a hum—a quiet, steady energy that grows with the flicker of monitors and the tap-tap of keyboards. Students enter the space in pairs or solo, bringing nothing but their headsets and determination. Their faces are illuminated by the blue glow of the screens: League of Legends, Rocket League, Fortnite. Here, it serves as both a battleground and an educational space.

Familiar faces come in daily: computer science majors, esports management students, and even athletes taking a breather between practices. Laughter fills the air, along with the occasional shout of victory and the rhythmic clatter of controllers. 

It’s hard to believe that just months ago, this area was merely an idea—a construction zone filled with blueprints, exposed wires, and dust. 

Now, the esports lab is filled with campus spirit.

What began as a small undertaking is now a full-fledged degree program in the form of a Bachelor of Science in Esports Management housed within the School of Sport Science. The new lab brings together computer science, traditional coursework in sports management, and applied internships to train students for the rapidly growing field of competitive gaming.

Academic Innovation Drives Growth

It all had a strong lead from the 30-year veteran, Dr. Dina Gentile. During the pandemic, Gentile reflected that her son, Quinn, was frequently online gaming. She shared, “listening to him with his headset…I just thought, gosh, his vocabulary is amazing.” This experience led to the creation of Gentile’s book Introduction to Esports Management. 

Five years ago, she then introduced classes in esports management, then continued with additional classes, to create the minor. The quick change in this program to then a four-year degree speaks volumes to her dedication. This degree requires the completion of 129 credits in computer science, esports management and sports management classes. Endicott prides itself in being one of the few colleges that offers an esports management degree. 

“We could teach and play games there. And that’s what Endicott’s about. It’s multipurpose,” Gentile said. “I’m hoping it builds more diversity and also is a welcoming space.”

Gentile's approach was a little different. While most colleges first build competitive esports teams before exploring academics, Endicott took the opposite approach, building a foundation for a curriculum-driven experience in esports. The strategy reflects a deep understanding of esports as more than competitive gaming-it's a path to career readiness.

"There's a place for everybody in that lab, it's great," Gentile added. "I think it's great to show students what it's really like to be in the esports environment."

Building the Esports Ecosystem

Brendan Hall joined the college in the summer of 2023 as the esports coordinator and faculty advisor for the program. With prior experience as a marketing director at Oxygen Esports, Hall brought a wealth of industry knowledge.

Hall's contributions have had a significant impact both in the classroom and beyond. He currently teaches three courses in esports management and guides the college's five competitive teams (a number soon to rise to six), as well as oversight of the newly created esports lab. The facility boasts Lenovo Legion 4080s, high-end Logitech equipment, and 200-hertz monitors.

"This thing opened in late September, and by day two we had outgrown it. We're hitting capacity every night," Hall said, which is around 25 people. 

But the physical space is just part of the story. According to Hall, "The differentiator for us is not so much physical. It's that we are curriculum-based. We choose to do it differently, in that we're setting people up for careers."

He described the ideal esports ecosystem, as one that balances competitive and casual gaming. Hall emphasizes inclusivity, saying, "We have prided ourselves on being the most inclusive ecosystem on campus. Esports is for everybody."

Students Lead the Way

Endicott's esports lab isn't just a place for coursework, it's also a hub for student-driven activity. Junior Michael DeLorenzo - he's a marketing major, and is one of the lab's most active participants, writing game reviews in his free time, organizing events featuring titles like Super Smash Bros and Mario Kart, as well as designing promotional graphics.

"Me and Brendan have been working mostly on trying to make the esports lab a space where people can go in whether or not they're in a league," DeLorenzo said. "I think it's a good opportunity for students to feel like they can just walk in and play a game if they feel like it."

“The lab is where one can hang out with friends, compete, or even do homework in the facility,” Hall stated. It shows the idea of it being a multifunction space. A communal atmosphere is created here. This is something sought out by many on campus at Endicott College.

Looking Ahead

Even with its rapid success, the Endicott esports program is focused on the future. Hall would like to create a larger broadcast setup so students can watch live matches and stream games online. He also needs to sort out the issue of tracking the lab's usage as it continues to grow.

The competitive teams have also proven themselves against the best of the best, having recently competed against North Carolina State University's top program and holding their own. Hall said it is a factor of the caliber of students involved. "We have the right type of esports athletes, and that's what allows us to swing above our weight," he said.

Gentile shared her joy at the success of the program, highlighting its positive influence. “I’m really proud to be a small part of it,” she remarked.

In the end, the venture into esports by Endicott College is more than a success-it serves as an example of how colleges can team education with new industries. The college stands out among its peers for its focus on developing a robust curriculum and fostering an adaptive environment for students. 

Endicott College’s esports program shows what collaboration and innovation can achieve. As esports continues to grow, Endicott isn’t just keeping up—it’s setting the pace. Or, as DeLorenzo says, “This program has given us the tools and opportunities to succeed in an industry that’s constantly evolving.”