Pace University is launching its official Esports program, featuring the development of a dedicated esports and gaming center on its New York City campus. Starting in January 2022, and building off of existing student-led efforts, the varsity esports program will compete across multiple game titles, starting League of Legends™, Valorant™, and Super Smash Brothers™ teams, becoming Pace Athletics’ 15th sport.
Both League of Legends™ and Valorant™ are under the Riot Games umbrella and feature strategic five-versus-five play. Super Smash Brothers™ is published by Nintendo. The Setter squads will compete in the College League of Legends (CLoL) spring season and the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) Starleague. Pace will add varsity Rocket League and Apex Legends teams over the course of spring 2022.
“Pace is committed to innovative programs that prepare our students for the jobs—and the world—of the future,” said Marvin Krislov, Pace’s president. “Our new varsity esports program responds to rapidly growing demand and will give our student athletes the chance to build the skills all sports demand: teamwork, strategy, leadership, discipline, and so much more.”
“We have been working to bring Esports to Pace for the last few years,” said Pace University Director of Athletics Mark Brown. “Esports and gaming are an undeniable part of today's cultural landscape and a key part of our student's lives. We couldn't be more excited to launch this opportunity for our students.”
Esports, or competitive video gaming, is one of the fastest growing activities in the world. Over the past decade, it has garnered 300 million players and spectators worldwide. Given the recent cultural shift towards gaming - especially among the college-age demographic - it was a natural decision for Pace University to invest in a program that will provide relevant competitive, curricular and vocational opportunities to current and future students.
In addition to being able to try out for Pace’s varsity teams, students will have the opportunity to serve as student-coaches, be part of a large recreational gaming community, and pursue academic and vocational opportunities in gaming.
To stay connected to Pace’s new esports program follow @paceuofficialesports on Instagram and link to Pace’s new Twitch Channel: PaceUesports. For more information on Pace’s esports program or to get involved email esports@pace.edu.
Pace University has a proud history of preparing its diverse student body for a lifetime of professional success as a result of its unique program that combines rigorous academics and real-world experiences. Pace is ranked the #1 private, four-year college in the nation for upward economic mobility by Harvard University’s Opportunity Insights, evidence of the transformative education the University provides. From its beginnings as an accounting school in 1906, Pace has grown to three campuses, enrolling 13,000 students in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in more than 150 majors and programs, across a range of disciplines: arts, sciences, business, health care, technology, law, education, and more. The university also has one of the most competitive performing arts programs in the country. Pace has a signature, newly renovated campus in New York City, located in the heart of vibrant Lower Manhattan, next to Wall Street and City Hall, and two campuses in Westchester County, New York: a 200-acre picturesque Pleasantville Campus and the Elisabeth Haub School of Law in White Plains. Follow us on Twitter or on the Pace News website
Pace University Athletics is a member of NCAA Division II, competing within the Northeast-10 Conference (NE10). Pace Athletics sponsors 15 intercollegiate sports, along with cheer and dance teams and a Pep Band. Known as the Setters, Pace’s official mascot is known as T-Bone. In 2020-21, Pace student-athletes posted a cumulative grade point average of 3.45. Additionally, a total of 307 Setters were selected to the NE10’s Academic Honor Roll following the spring 2021 semester. All of Pace’s teams in action in 2020-21 made the NE10 Conference postseason championships.
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