花季传媒

Scenes from UAA Esports fifth anniversary celebration (clockwise): Carter Penaz, Ethan Brandt, and Gabriel Ulanday compete; Executive Director of Student Engagement and Inclusion Kim Morton speaks; Chancellor Sean Parnell watches an esports competition; and Student Esports Manager Daniel Ribuffo speaks. (All photos by James Evans / University of Alaska Anchorage)

In fall 2019, the UAA Esports Lounge opened on the Student Union鈥檚 second floor with a simple goal: to create a space for students to come together, compete and engage with the rapidly growing world of esports. What started as a student-driven initiative supported by Student Affairs, has since evolved into a hub for competitive gaming, community building and collaboration 鈥� both on and off campus.

The early years

After opening, the lounge quickly became a focal point for recreational gaming, offering UAA students the opportunity to access high-end PCs, consoles and gaming peripherals at no cost. This accessibility allowed students to enjoy esports without the barrier of high entry costs 鈥� something that remains a cornerstone of the lounge鈥檚 mission. The space is also open to the general public for a small fee, with discounts available for UAA community members and high school students.

Finding initial success as a physical gathering place, the Esports Lounge pivoted a few months after opening as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded. 鈥淎t that point is when we really got to harness the power of being a virtual entity,鈥� said Cody Buechner, assistant director of the Student Union. To help bring the UAA Esports 花季传媒 online, the team behind the lounge hosted virtual competitions with other colleges from Fairbanks to Florida.

The virtual aspect remains a key part of the lounge鈥檚 programming even as the physical space sees a return to pre-pandemic levels of use. Last year鈥檚 rebrand from UAA Esports Lounge to simply UAA Esports reflects the growing programming and opportunities. Esports鈥� student employees helped lead the rebranding effort, with support from Student Life and Leadership, Athletics and University Advancement.

Expanding the community and opportunities

Over the years, UAA Esports has hosted a wide variety of events 鈥� each growing in size and scope. Early tournaments like the League of Legends 1v1 Ladder Tournament and Go For the Gold (and Green) Super Smash Bros. Tournament in 2020 set the tone for what was to come: competitive events that were open to students, but also welcoming to the broader community. As more tournaments followed, including ones for Rocket League and Pok茅mon Unite, the Esports Lounge became a hub for competitive gaming at UAA. These events didn鈥檛 just highlight individual talent but also strengthened the sense of camaraderie and excitement that defined the growing esports culture at UAA.

Fast forward to today: UAA participates in the National Esports Collegiate Conference and Collegiate Fighting Games Conference, giving students the opportunity to join teams for 10 different games, from Mortal Kombat to Overwatch 2, and compete against other colleges from across the U.S. and Canada.

Beyond tournaments, the lounge is open for recreational play and hosts a variety of other events, including Alumni Arcanight, VR Nights and the annual Livestream for Charity. Students continue to serve as the driving force behind UAA Esports, helping to manage the space and playing a key role in any decision-making.

While the Esports Lounge initially served UAA students, the reach soon expanded to include local high schools. Recognizing a lack of competition opportunities for high school teams, UAA Esports partnered with the Alaska School Activities Association to host the first state championship for esports. The lounge also serves as a regular practice spot for several Esports teams from the Anchorage School District. Through initiatives like high school field trips and competitions, UAA Esports continues to forge partnerships that help cultivate the next generation of gamers.

Partnerships have proved vital to UAA Esports鈥� growth. A generous three-year sponsorship from Credit Union 1 to support student engagement on campus will further boost UAA Esports as it continues to evolve. The sponsorship will help cover Esports鈥� student employee wages through 2027 and support on-campus financial literacy fairs and the state鈥檚 first interactive teller machine in the Student Union.

Looking ahead

The first five years of UAA Esports have set the stage for a future filled with possibilities. Whether through new events, expanding partnerships or increasing student involvement, UAA Esports will continue to be a driving force in Alaska鈥檚 gaming community, offering students a place to compete, connect and thrive.

Visit the UAA Esports website to learn more about the lounge, competitive gaming, upcoming events and other opportunities.