Utah State Esports Arena to host open house
This month, Utah State University Campus Recreation is ready to “level up” the virtual gaming experience. USU’s Esports Arena is set to host an open house event on Jan. 30, inviting students and community members to dust off their esports skills with its computer, console and arcade-style gaming equipment.
Completely free and open to the public, the event will run from 5-10 p.m., with attendees encouraged to stay as long as they like within the event hours. The arena, located next to Maverik Stadium, was created as a space for both competitive and recreational gamers to play with their peers. The facility features a wide selection of esports equipment, including PC setups, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and a selection of board games.
With the facility tucked away in the former Distribution Center next to Maverik Stadium, many Utah State students may not even know the arena exists. The purpose of the upcoming open house, according to campus rec associate director of programs and assessments Reed Phinisey, is to change that.
“We’re just trying to create a little bit of visibility and awareness,” Phinisey said in an interview with The Utah Statesman. “This is a low-risk opportunity for [students] to come and use the facility, experience esports and hopefully get them hooked. This will be a chance for them to come play some video games, interact with other members that are already there, maybe get involved with the clubs.”
Aside from serving as a recreational facility, the arena also hosts USU’s various esports teams and clubs.
“We have several competitive teams, ranging from ‘Rocket League’ to ‘Smash Bros’ to ‘Call of Duty’ … competing on both the regional, state and national levels,” Phinisey said.
These teams use the arena to practice for tournaments and host events, and information on how to get involved will be available both at the open house and on the campus rec website.
“It’s just an open invite to really anybody who wants to come and check out the space,” said Baily Kruzan, coordinator of marketing for campus recreation. “We want you to be able to use it and find it and see what the space can offer.”
Being on an esports team is not required to use the arena. Both memberships and guest passes are offered to students and community members, which grant gamers access to the full range of equipment during the facility’s listed operational hours. Usually, participants are charged a fee to access the space and its equipment, so the open house event will serve as a “free trial” for anyone considering purchasing a pass.
As an emerging aspect of Utah State’s recreational department, the esports program may not be as widely known or recognized as other campus activities like basketball, rock climbing and skiing. However, according to Phinisey, the program serves as a uniquely powerful agent for many students to find a place to belong.
“Utah State is a diverse spot — ranging backgrounds, ranging interests, ranging passions,” Phinisey said. “Hopefully, participating in esports gives [students] that piece of community, helps them maintain a sense of social wellbeing and those other aspects of wellness, whether that’s physical or emotional.”
According to Phinisey, esports are a valuable way for students who do not enjoy typical sports to reap the benefits of campus recreation, one of which is friendship.
“This is a very inviting, inclusive group of people,” Phinisey said. “I like to think anyone can play esports. Whether you played video games when you were younger, whether you’re super competitive now, this is a resource for every Utah State student.”