Esports teams at 54 SUNY campuses join major athletic conference

ALBANY — Video gaming teams at 54 campuses in the State University of New York have joined a major athletic conference in a continuing effort to put esports on the same level as traditional athletics.

SUNY announced the campuses will join the 86-year-old Eastern College Athletic Conference this fall to participate in video gaming known as esports, where Stony Brook University and Farmingdale State College already are among national powers.

More than 3,000 SUNY students are expected to compete in ECAC games, tournaments, bowl games and championships throughout the Northeast both online and in matches in person, according to the announcement.

The ECAC is one of the oldest collegiate athletic conferences in the country. Many new, smaller conferences and leagues also coordinate esports competitions across the country.

About 200 colleges nationwide are using the gaming competitions to attract and retain students in fields that include computer science and engineering. Esports competitions, similar to more traditional sports, build teamwork skills and strengthens strategic thinking and leadership, said Norman Rice, of SUNY’s esports initiative.

The competition also provides a showcase for corporate recruiters to reach talented students in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

"Over the years, the popularity of esports has grown exponentially," said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. "By joining the Eastern College Athletic Conference, SUNY students interested in esports will have more competitive opportunities within the world of esports, which will in turn make our SUNY institutions a top choice for students looking to pursue esports in college."

Players from each school compete in games such as "Smash Brothers" and "Call of Duty" in which they specialize to amass top scores before they run out of virtual lives.

The ECAC includes colleges from Maine to Missouri competing in men’s and women’s sports including football, basketball, track and field, gymnastics and — since 2017 — esports. ECAC schools that already compete in esports include Boston College, Syracuse University, Harvard University and the University of Maryland. Stony Brook and some other SUNY schools were already part of the ECAC, but the move announced this month will bring most of the campuses in the 64-campus system into the conference.

"SUNY going into the ECAC will help elevate esports in the SUNY system, where there are some very strong teams," said Kevin Craig, esports coordinator at Stony Brook. The state university holds two national titles and seven regional and divisional titles in different leagues and conferences.

Farmingdale has 15 teams and 150 esports players and has won several conference titles.

Esports are growing fast from obscure clubs five years ago to varsity sports now with their own practice facilities, coaches, uniforms and, at some schools, scholarships.

"Over the years, the popularity of esports has grown exponentially," King said. "I have seen several state-of-the-art esports labs and students passionately focused on honing their virtual craft."

Craig said esports already are more like traditional college sports. He said that’s a big change from when he was a player for Seton Hall University beginning in 2018, when the college-level sport was just beginning.

A college can play three esports competitions online per weeks over 12 weeks in each spring and fall season. A player can devote 10-15 hours a week on team meetings, watching game films and competitions with additional practice time on their specific game. Playoffs are in-person and Stony Brook’s 88 team members have traveled to nine states and New York City from October to May, Craig said.

"Our goal has been to maintain and grow the momentum of SUNY Esports to remain one of the top esports leagues in the country while best serving our students involved in the league," said Cheryl Hamilton, associate vice chancellor for student life at SUNY. "We're confident that the partnership between ECAC and SUNY Esports is strong and will aid SUNY in attracting more students interested in this growing sport."

By Michael Gormley

michael.gormley@newsday.com@GormleyAlbany

Michael Gormley has worked for Newsday since 2013, covering state government, politics and issues. He has covered Albany since 2001.