
鶹ý Unveils New Esports Arena

鶹ý Celebrates First Dedicated eSports Space
鶹ý on Monday unveiled its first dedicated gaming arena in celebration of the Athletic Department鶹ýs newest and 15th varsity sport 鶹ý Esports.
The announcement comes as 鶹ý鶹ýs enters its second official season after a successful inaugural year in spring 2022. There are more than 500 members across both campuses that are a part of Pace鶹ýs gaming community, including players on its Varsity, Academy, Club and Intramural teams. The arena was made possible with support from Burt and Hedda Hurvich.
鶹ýI am extremely excited to welcome our gamers to this amazing new Esports Center,鶹ý said Pace Director of Athletics Mark Brown. 鶹ýThe incredible generosity of the Hurvich family creates a space that allows all gamers to be a part of a formal team in a common space. This space will ensure all gamers can participate and play a significant role in our robust gaming community.鶹ý
The goal is for competitive and casual gamers is to be able to connect with like-minded peers in online and offline settings. In its relatively short existence, Pace has enjoyed success. For example, Pace Esports鶹ý Smash Gold 2 team won the ECAC Open Division Grand Finals earlier this year, finishing in first place out of 76 teams in their division. Additionally, Pace Esports' All-Women's VALORANT Blue Team ("Pace Blue") recently placed third in the first-ever VENOM LAN event in Columbus, Ohio.

鶹ýLast year we launched Pace鶹ýs Esports program to meet a rapidly growing demand and give our students the chance to build important skills like teamwork, strategy, and discipline,鶹ý said Pace President Marvin Krislov. 鶹ýI鶹ým very happy that thanks to the generosity of Burt and Hedda Hurvich, we鶹ýre now able to open this campus Esports Center to serve our students and this program.鶹ý
Joining the president, athletics director, the Hurvich family, and staff were scores of gamers, student-athletes, and members of the Pace Esports team.
鶹ýIt鶹ýs a great space,鶹ý said Director of Esports Jesse Bodony. 鶹ýWe are hopeful that it takes things forward for Pace and the institution. It鶹ýs a step forward for the students and all the gamers who historically haven鶹ýt gotten the chance to be a part of something. So, for our competitive and causal gamers, this is something that moves the needle in a big way.鶹ý