From pins to PCs: Fun, community, and well-being

It’s been nearly a year since the grand reopening of the newly renovated Bowling and Billiards Center reopened on October 17, 2022.

Since then, the Esports Arena has been buzzing with activity. This year, the facility features new operating hours for the main gaming area:

All fee-paying students have access to the facility at no additional cost. Community members also have access to bowling, billiards, and main gaming in the facility. For pricing for all Bowling and Billiards Center offerings, visit the Campus Recreation website.

The esports space hosts 60 total gaming PCs and six console stations, each with the latest next-gen consoles, including a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch OLED. A limited game library, controllers, and headsets are available for checkout at the welcome desk. For PC gaming, anything you could need for a successful session of gaming is provided, including the following:

• SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL keyboard
• SteelSeries Aerox 3 mouse
• SteelSeries Arctis 1 headset

Patrons can also bring their own peripherals. For current students, we monitor the amount of time students can spend inside the arena over the course of the semester. “From the very beginning, we were having intentional conversations with folks engaging in health and wellness work on campus to ensure the safety of our students. Through working with our campus partners and utilizing the current literature on optimal gaming time, we’re confident that we are setting our students up for success,” said David Kirk, M.S. ’16, director of Redbird Esports. Additional health and wellness measures include cleaning and sanitizing of each station after patron use.

A perk of using the main gaming space is that patrons never have to wait to play their favorite games. “All of the popular games and apps are already pre-downloaded and updated,” said Jack Blahnik ’19, M.S. ’22, Redbird Esports program manager. “What’s more, is that no matter where you sit, you’ll have the same experience. The software we’ve selected helps to create a seamless process anywhere in the arena”.

The Bowling and Billiards Center is also a great spot to host birthday parties. A variety of packages are available, including activities that cover both bowling, esports consoles and PC games, and a combination of both. For students, families, or groups looking to host an event or outing, the Bowling and Billiards Center is accepting reservations. Visit the Campus Recreation website for more information.

Lastly, the Bowling and Billiards Center is home to the Redbird Esports varsity teams. This year, Redbird Esports is competing in League of Legends, Overwatch, and Rocket League. Stop by the arena in the evening to catch a glimpse of the teams practicing, or tune in on game day to watch the livestream. For all things Redbird Esports, including match announcements and results, follow Redbird Esports on social media.