Syracuse University won a 2026 Esports Trade Association (ESTA) Industry Award for Esports Scholastic Impact, recognizing the University’s pioneering academic role in the growing esports industry.
Launched in 2023, Syracuse’s first-of-its-kind esports and communications management bachelor’s program is led by the David B. Falk College of Sport and S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Over the last two years, the University has opened two new esports facilities, including the program’s 20,000 square-foot headquarters for the program at the Marley Building. The world-class venue features a professional broadcast studio and 150-plus seat competition auditorium.
Student broadcasters work from the professional broadcast studio spaces at Syracuse University’s Marley Building esports headquarters. (Photo by Amy Manley)
Joey Gawrysiak, a professor of practice and executive director of the esports program, accepted the award at ESTA’s Esports Next Conference on April 29 in Fort Worth, Texas.
“What he and the University have built in less than three years is unlike anything else in collegiate esports,” the trade association said.
Joey Gawrysiak
Gawrysiak also spoke on a panel during the conference about venue strategies and how Syracuse’s dynamic new spaces are perfect for hosting events that students can run or cover, providing learning opportunities they can use to prepare for careers in the field.
“Students don’t just attend the program. They work in it,” ESTA said. “The program produces over 56 hours of live esports content per month—a figure that rivals dedicated production companies.”
To view the original Syracuse University story from Newhouse published on May 6, 2026, click this link.