Gaming turned reality with the new Esports Innovation Lab

Esports is a rapidly growing industry that touches every arena, such as law, technology, entertainment, sports, and more. In 2020, the Southern University Law Center launched its Mixed Reality Virtual Gaming and Esports Institute to begin its trek into a flourishing space. Industry leaders, such as HyperX , Microsoft Xbox Series X , 百思买 , 通用汽车 , Esport Supply , and The Cxmmunity Foundation , joined us in our effort to become an esports fixture and forerunner in Louisiana. With the opening of the SULC Esports Innovation Lab, the institution can serve its community through professional development, certificate curriculum, programming, and more.

"Working with partners and sponsors like GM, Best Buy, Esport Supply, and HyperX has been an incredible experience,” said Christopher Turner , coordinator of the Mixed Reality Virtual Innovation Gaming and Esports Institute at Southern University Law Center. “Through our collaborative efforts, we are bridging the digital divide and providing opportunities for students and the community to engage in esports and gaming, ultimately creating a more inclusive and diverse industry. Our partners and sponsors have been instrumental in helping us be the bridge for the university as well as the community, and we are grateful for their continued support and commitment to our mission."?

“We’re extremely proud to support Southern University by providing a variety of tech and gaming equipment - helping gamers make their dreams a reality by getting rid of barriers like access to technology,” said Keia Johnson , Director of Inclusion and Diversity at 百思买 . “As the gaming world continues to grow, we cannot wait to see all the ways that this program continues to educate, connect, and inspire the Baton Rouge community.”

Each sponsor contributed high-level equipment, popular games, and in-kind support to the Esports Innovation lab. From Oculus headsets to premium consoles, the lab is a gamer’s dream space. The design of the lab began with months of conversations and mock-ups with Esport Supply.

"We believe that #esports plays a pivotal role in providing opportunities for educational and career advancement, fostering diversity and inclusivity, and empowering individuals to reach their full potential,” Derrek Harter , principal at Esport Supply . “We were proud to collaborate with Southern University Law Center (SULC) to bring facility design, procurement for hardware, software and furniture, onsite installation, and ongoing facility support services. Chris Turner continues to be an innovator and thought leader in the space and we feel privileged to have helped bring his vision, and the vision of the broader #SULC community, for their new Esport Innovation Lab to life. We are enthusiastic about the prospects of this Lab, and the potential it holds for generating educational and career-building opportunities on campus in the years to come."

Esport Supply assisted in the design, build and project management of the lab. From there, Turner solicited the support of Xbox, Best Buy, GM, HyperX, and Cxmmunity. Each organizations began to pour in with donations relative to their brand. HyperX contributed keyboards, mice, headsets, mousepads, and microphones. Best Buy granted the lab Oculus VR headsets, gaming consoles, gaming wheels, and more. The controllers and game passcodes were gifted by Xbox.

“ HyperX is proud to help close the digital divide, promote diversity in tech and change mindsets about gaming with Southern University Law Center (SULC) in a game positive environment for learning at the Esports Innovation Lab,” said Wendy Lecot , head of strategic alliances with HyperX. “The impact of HyperX equipment to the Lab helps make this facility a world-class institution to provide students who share the love of gaming with an access point to learn and develop their skills to prepare for tomorrow’s workforce and help shape the future of gaming culture and esports.”

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have a long history of providing educational opportunities for African-Americans. Now, with the emergence of esports and gaming, #HBCUs have the opportunity to provide yet another option for students to pursue. Beyond professional and education development for students, esports allows institutions to foster collegiate and external relationships that lead to economic development and careers.

Starting this summer, the lab will open for gameplay. Gamers can register for up to 4 hours of gaming via an online portal. The lab’s gaming library features Fortnite, Overwatch, Valorant, Call of Duty, Starcraft II and more. Microsoft Xbox One X, Sony PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch consoles are available for gaming.

For more information on the esports programming and innovation lab, visit?www.sulc.edu/esports.