UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA OPENS NEW COMPLEX FOR ESPORTS

NORMAN –

Campus Correspondent Morgan Martin has the latest on how this new space is crafting an environment that is home to community, inclusivity, and, of course, some healthy competition.

Esports director Michael Aguilar says his hope for this community is to continue developing students.

For students like Jackson Boyd, this space is not something he thought he would see in his time at The University.

“I don’t have any words for it because it isn’t anything I thought I would see in my time being here,” Boyd said.

Aguilar says one of the biggest changes for the program post-pandemic has been the acknowledgment of gaming culture.

“What COVID did was really kind of break down the barriers of acceptance instead of saying this is really geeky or nerdy and making it something that is celebrated as a pastime”, Aguilar said.

It has brought with it an awareness of the difference between Gaming and Esports, which are both found in this space.

“Gaming is really the invitation of using gaming as a means to break ice to find fellowship and to have comradery,” Aguilar said.

Aguilar says Esports can be thought of as a level-up.

“Esports however is The NBA finals, all the program development, the marketing, the branding, the team development,” Aguilar said.

For Jackson Boyd, having a space to connect is game-changing.

“I think having this space is really gonna help people realize that hey it is a lot more fun playing next to somebody else”, Boyd said