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Florida Polytechnic University unveiled a new, state-of-the-art esports arena on Friday, Feb. 13, giving its 14 teams a premier place to practice, compete and host battles in today’s top esports games. The arena features 20 high-performance gaming PCs fully equipped for competitive play, along with two large TVs dedicated to console gaming. The facility’s crowning feature is a massive 48-foot exterior screen on the Barnett Applied Research Center wall, allowing tournament gameplay to be displayed for crowds to watch the action live. “Students will be in the arena every single night, often playing against universities from all across the nation,” said Derek Lower, director of athletics and recreation at Florida Poly. “Esports is a huge industry, so it’s really great to give our students the opportunity to get their feet wet and hop into it at an early, grassroots level.” Florida Poly esports is part of the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC), fielding over 100 students across 14 competitive teams in popular games including Marvel Rivals, Overwatch, Valorant, and Super Smash Bros.: Ultimate. “I’m in love with the new space,” said Noah Vanscoyoc, a senior majoring in business analytics and student leader for the Florida Poly esports program. “I genuinely think it will help esports grow more as a whole because more students will see it and want to join.” During the day, all students can have access to the stylish new arena to play, study or just to hang out. But in the evening, the space reverts to exclusive use by Florida Poly varsity esports for practice and competition. Although the arena is new, esports has been a strong part of Florida Poly’s culture since its early days. In 2023, the University’s Valorant team won the NECC Challengers Division South Atlantic Conference title. And in 2019, student Christian Lomenzo became the EA Madden NFL 19 Challenge champion, securing both national bragging rights and a $35,000 prize. Jannice Rivera, a junior majoring in computer science and esports student leader, called the new arena transformative, and added that esports benefits students long after they graduate. “In the field, we will have team-based projects, team-based coding, and you’ll never be working alone,” Rivera said. “Esports gives you a chance to communicate with others and trust in them. One day you’ll have a team and will have to say, ‘I trust you with this, and in return, I’ll help you.’” With the new arena now in place, students say they are excited to grow the esports program and expand opportunities for competition, training and community involvement. “Anybody can join us,” Vanscoyoc said. “We want everyone to have an open mind and just have fun and play games with us. You don’t have to do the competitive part.” For the most recent University news, visit Florida Poly News. About Florida Polytechnic University: Florida Polytechnic University is ranked the No.1 public college in the South for five years in a row and No. 3 best value public school in the South by U.S. News and World Report. It is a top 30 public engineering program without a Ph.D. in the nation for five years in a row. Florida Poly is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and a member of the State University System of Florida. It is the only state university dedicated exclusively to STEM and offers ABET-accredited degrees. Florida Poly is a powerful economic engine within the state of Florida, blending applied research with industry partnerships to give students an academically rigorous education with real-world relevance. Florida Poly’s iconic Innovation, Science, and Technology Building, designed by world-renowned architect Dr. Santiago Calatrava, has won more than 20 global awards and was named one of the 16 most breathtaking buildings in the world. Connect with Florida Poly.
Florida Polytechnic University unveiled a new, state-of-the-art esports arena on Friday, Feb. 13, giving its 14 teams a premier place to practice, compete and host battles in today’s top esports games.
The arena features 20 high-performance gaming PCs fully equipped for competitive play, along with two large TVs dedicated to console gaming. The facility’s crowning feature is a massive 48-foot exterior screen on the Barnett Applied Research Center wall, allowing tournament gameplay to be displayed for crowds to watch the action live.
“Students will be in the arena every single night, often playing against universities from all across the nation,” said Derek Lower, director of athletics and recreation at Florida Poly. “Esports is a huge industry, so it’s really great to give our students the opportunity to get their feet wet and hop into it at an early, grassroots level.”
Florida Poly esports is part of the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC), fielding over 100 students across 14 competitive teams in popular games including Marvel Rivals, Overwatch, Valorant, and Super Smash Bros.: Ultimate.
“I’m in love with the new space,” said Noah Vanscoyoc, a senior majoring in business analytics and student leader for the Florida Poly esports program. “I genuinely think it will help esports grow more as a whole because more students will see it and want to join.”
During the day, all students can have access to the stylish new arena to play, study or just to hang out. But in the evening, the space reverts to exclusive use by Florida Poly varsity esports for practice and competition.
Although the arena is new, esports has been a strong part of Florida Poly’s culture since its early days. In 2023, the University’s Valorant team won the NECC Challengers Division South Atlantic Conference title. And in 2019, student Christian Lomenzo became the EA Madden NFL 19 Challenge champion, securing both national bragging rights and a $35,000 prize.
Jannice Rivera, a junior majoring in computer science and esports student leader, called the new arena transformative, and added that esports benefits students long after they graduate.
“In the field, we will have team-based projects, team-based coding, and you’ll never be working alone,” Rivera said. “Esports gives you a chance to communicate with others and trust in them. One day you’ll have a team and will have to say, ‘I trust you with this, and in return, I’ll help you.’”
With the new arena now in place, students say they are excited to grow the esports program and expand opportunities for competition, training and community involvement.
“Anybody can join us,” Vanscoyoc said. “We want everyone to have an open mind and just have fun and play games with us. You don’t have to do the competitive part.”
For the most recent University news, visit Florida Poly News.
About Florida Polytechnic University: Florida Polytechnic University is ranked the No.1 public college in the South for five years in a row and No. 3 best value public school in the South by U.S. News and World Report. It is a top 30 public engineering program without a Ph.D. in the nation for five years in a row. Florida Poly is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and a member of the State University System of Florida. It is the only state university dedicated exclusively to STEM and offers ABET-accredited degrees. Florida Poly is a powerful economic engine within the state of Florida, blending applied research with industry partnerships to give students an academically rigorous education with real-world relevance. Florida Poly’s iconic Innovation, Science, and Technology Building, designed by world-renowned architect Dr. Santiago Calatrava, has won more than 20 global awards and was named one of the 16 most breathtaking buildings in the world. Connect with Florida Poly.