It’s the next step in the evolution of esports for one upstate community college.
Herkimer College is joining the Eastern College Athletic Conference for esports this fall. This comes just a year after the school began an Esports Management degree program.
What You Need To Know
- Herkimer College is joining the Eastern College Athletic Conference for Esports this fall
- Staff said by joining the ECAC, Herkimer will have more chances to compete nationally
- Herkimer College staff said they are one of 54 SUNY colleges joining the Eastern College Athletic Conference for Esports
Now back in his hometown, Joshua Lanza is excited to not only be teaching at Herkimer College, but coaching esports.
“We hold them accountable as far as being on time to practice, showing up and keeping your grades up, too. They are student-athletes in that order, students first and athletes second," Lanza said.
Herkimer College launched an Esports Management degree program last year.
They were the second SUNY school to have an esports team, starting a few years ago, and gained quick success by winning a national championship in Call of Duty: Gunfight in 2021.
The next step is joining the Eastern College Athletic Conference for Esports.
“I think this is a great opportunity for us as students. It gives us more opportunities and allows us to have more people in our team," said Herkimer College student William Hazzard.
“We're going to be competing against some four-year SUNY schools as well, like SUNY Canton, SUNY Binghamton and SUNY Brockport, just to name a few. We'll be playing against all these other schools as well within the state. And then if we do well there, we'll be able to go to the national playoffs," Lanza said.
The hope is this step, and the millions spent on Herkimer’s gaming facility, will prove successful, and not just for the esports team.
Enrollment has been increasing.
“I have been following EA Sports for years. Esports is growing at an exponential rate. Evo is a huge esports tournament. It just keeps growing in size and it's great to see this program. I've met all the freshmen, most of the freshmen on this team joining the major. It's just great to see more people get involved," said Owen Capria, a student at the school and the esports team captain.
“There's a lot of excitement about this. We are the only two-year college right now in the state of New York to have an EA Sports management program," Lanza said.
For those who question the athleticism of esports, gamers say it’s important to remember the calculation and communication that goes into competing in these games, and how that’s a common thread throughout athletics.
Herkimer College staff said they are one of 54 SUNY colleges joining the Eastern College Athletic Conference for Esports.
