Reinventing Esports Through Academic Innovation
How do you create meaningful connections between education and esports?
We sat down with Joey Gawrysiak , founder of Esports Development and Growth Enterprise and the Director of Esports at Syracuse University, to discuss his journey from competitive gaming to spearheading collegiate esports programs. Joey shares his insights into the evolution of esports, its challenges, and how academic institutions are shaping its future.
Q: Joey, your journey in esports is inspiring. Can you share how it all began and what led you to merge education with competitive gaming?
I grew up in the 90s playing video games like GoldenEye and Halo. At the University of Georgia, I competed informally with our self-proclaimed “Georgia Halo team,” traveling to regional events. Initially, I aimed to become a high school athletic director, but my path shifted after earning a PhD in Sport Management.
During my time as a professor, esports began gaining traction. I supported a small video game club that evolved into a formal esports team. In 2015, I developed one of the first esports academic programs, merging my passion for gaming with education. This led to creating dedicated esports curricula, varsity teams, and cutting-edge facilities.
Q: The professional esports scene is facing challenges. How does this impact academic and scholastic programs? Are institutions lagging behind or helping rebuild the industry from the ground up?
Wow, that’s a great question. I don’t think colleges are lagging behind. In fact, I see them reinventing what esports can be. Academic programs aren’t designed solely to funnel students into esports careers — they provide high-quality education and transferable skills through something students are passionate about.
Take my experience: I earned a sport management degree because I loved sports, even though I wasn’t interested in business or economics. Similarly, esports students learn valuable concepts — like business management and marketing — through the lens of gaming. This approach equips them for careers both within and outside esports.
The students in these programs are shaping the industry’s future. Colleges are fostering entrepreneurial, problem-solving thinkers who will redefine esports from the ground up.
Q: How has the collegiate esports scene evolved since its early days?
The growth has been incredible. In 2014, Robert Morris University became the first to offer scholarships for League of Legends. That was a turning point. High-speed internet and online platforms also played a huge role in making competitive gaming more accessible.
Today, we see wide-scale adoption. Many universities now offer scholarships, full-time esports staff, and dedicated facilities. Collegiate programs differ from the pro scene — they aren’t profit-driven but serve as marketing tools that engage students and attract attention to institutions.
Q: Esports often gets compared to traditional sports. Do you think that’s a fair comparison?
There are parallels, but esports is unique. Unlike sports, which are rooted in physicality, esports focuses on intellectual and mechanical skills. I often compare esports to gymnastics — athletes peak young and retire early. However, esports can learn from traditional sports, particularly in building support systems like media training, financial education, and psychological support for young players.
Q: What challenges do you see for the future of esports?
The professional scene is facing a market correction. Sponsorship dollars are drying up, forcing organizations to rethink their strategies. Meanwhile, collegiate and high school esports are thriving. These programs provide stability, offering educational and career opportunities without the same financial pressures.
One challenge is creating better support structures for young players. If we’re going to have 16- and 17-year-olds competing at the highest levels, we need to ensure they have the resources to succeed — both on and off the stage.
Q: What’s next for you in esports?
I’m passionate about improving the in-person spectator experience for esports on college campuses. At Syracuse, we’re building a 150-seat esports auditorium, and I’m exploring ways to make matches exciting for spectators — using fog machines, light-up wristbands, chants, and more. My goal is to create the kind of immersive, high-energy atmosphere you’d find at a traditional sports game.
I’m also working on partnerships with major brands and New York high schools to create pathways from high school to college esports. These include dual-credit programs and scholarships to bridge the gap between education and competitive gaming.
Wrapping It Up
Joey Gawrysiak’s career showcases the intersection of passion, education, and innovation in esports. From his competitive gaming roots to building one of the first esports majors, Joey is shaping the future of esports through thoughtful leadership and academic integration.
About Joey Gawrysiak
Joey Gawrysiak is the Director of Esports at Syracuse University and a nationally recognized leader in the field of esports education. He has served as chair of multiple collegiate and national esports organizations and was named Shenandoah University’s Esports Person of the Year in 2021. Joey’s work focuses on integrating competitive gaming into higher education, creating innovative programs that combine academic excellence with industry relevance. His efforts continue to shape the future of esports, preparing students to thrive in an evolving industry while fostering opportunities for both competitive and non-competitive career pathways.
