Ball State University’s College of Communication, Information, and Media has created an official varsity Cardinals eSports team, joining more than 300 colleges and universities to compete nationally in a fast-growing digital sport. Ball State’s new team is one of 12 members of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) to join the newly created independent eSports Collegiate Conference (ESC). The new program will enhance academic offerings by bringing esports experiences into curricula across multiple disciplines including digital sports production, business, computer sciences, animation, and sport administration.

Information Technology employees from Unified Technology Support, the Enterprise Project Support Office, University Media Services, Unified Communications, and Information Technology Services were heavily involved with the planning and implementation of the technology for the new eSports facility, including:

  • Attending planning meetings and making technology recommendations
  • Maintaining an inventory list to keep track of equipment deliveries
  • Collaborating with all departments involved to ensure that the appropriate software was installed on the competition and classroom computers
  • Setting up the competition computers, building a software image for them, and deploying the image to all 12 competition computers (plus 1 spare)
  • Setting up the classroom computers, building a software image for them, and deploying the image to all 24 classroom computers
  • Ensuring the configuration of the eClassroom technology, including 2 wall displays
  • Setting up a VM server to help manage the classroom computers
  • Will be setting up the iRacing stations, once all equipment arrives

About the Esports Center

The 3,611-square-foot Esports Center is located in the Robert Bell Building and features:

  • State-of-the-art computers available for varsity team and classroom use
  • Elevated Gameplay platform accommodating 6 vs. 6 esports competitions
  • Stadium seating (capacity 50 seats)
  • Interactive classroom with smart display (capacity 24 seats)
  • Lounge area with next-generation console play
  • Control room—hub for live, multicamera and gameplay steaming of events happening in the Esports Center and beyond
  • Office space for esports director and graduate assistants

Stop by and check us out in RB134!