Get Involved: Esports
Butler University is on the forefront of innovative, on-campus esports programming. In 2017, Butler students began competing in a variety of esports under the University’s name. Beginning in the Fall of 2021, Butler is offering a minor in Esports Communication. The Esports Communication minor builds in-demand skills needed for success in the world of competitive gaming, giving students a foundation in esports production, communication, business, marketing, and more, preparing students for a variety of careers in esports. In addition to the minor, Butler Esports offers competitive esports opportunities for students. The esports teams practice and compete in various intercollegiate leagues, as well as the BIG EAST Conference, from the Esports and Gaming Center (EGC). In addition, Butler’s location in Indianapolis—the 16th largest city in the U.S.—provides opportunities for students to compete within the wider community. Utilizing a holistic, three pillar model—Competition, Curriculum, and Community—Butler’s Esports program provides meaningful outlets for a diverse group of students, resources for faculty, and educational opportunities.
Curriculum
Esports are becoming increasingly part of Butler’s curriculum, with the launch of an Esports Communication minor in Fall 2021. In the minor, students will build in-demand skills for the booming esports industry. Students will take courses in esports production, communication, business, marketing, and more. In Butler’s FOX Sports Capstone course, students work directly with FOX Sports to create content for both traditional sportscasts and esports streams. Outside the classroom, Butler’s Sports Media Student Research Group has partnered with the Pacers Gaming on multiple research projects, two which have been published. In addition, students have secured positions with some of the biggest names in esports like Pacers Gaming, Boston Uprising, Atlanta Reign, and Riot Games. Whether you are interested in reporting, broadcasting, streaming, or business, these hands-on experiences prepare students for careers in the growing esports industry.
Competition
Varsity
Butler Esports, the varsity brand, competes in the BIG EAST in both Rocket League and League of Legends. Fall and spring seasons feature different gaming championships, complete with live action broadcasts on Twitch and YouTube.
Visit esports.butler.edu for more information on how to apply or email esports@butler.edu.
Club Esports
Interested in esports but don’t want to compete on Butler’s varsity team? The club supports casual and competitive play. The club currently supports teams in:
| › League of Legends › Overwatch › Rocket League › Valorant › Hearthstone | › Fortnite › Super Smash Bros. Ultimate › FIFA › Madden NFL › and various others |
Butler Club Esports is always looking for new talent. Interested in learning more about Butler Club Esports? Visit clubsports.butler.edu/esports or email butleresports@butler.edu.
Community
Butler’s esports community is vibrant, growing, and connects people who have a passion for playing games through casual and competitive play. Butler’s new Esports and Gaming Center (EGC), located in the heart of campus in Atherton Union, is a way for students to connect in a safe, inclusive, and social community. Butler Esports was the virtual host
university for the Indy Esports Combine, offered virtual esports camps to the community, and with a newly anticipated Esports Arena in the works, the program will have even greater opportunity for in-person esports events, boot camps, and various other related activities.
Facilities
Opened in 2020, the Atherton Esports and Gaming Center (EGC) is Butler’s main esports facility. The EGC features top-of-the-line gaming equipment such as Alien PCs and peripherals, PlayStation 4s, and Nintendo Switches, as well as a casting station, and an area for tabletop gaming. In addition to housing Butler’s varsity esports teams and esports club, the EGC is open to all Butler students, faculty, and staff during the academic year to socialize, game head-to-head or compete online.