Shenandoah University has entered into a new partnership with the North Carolina-based gaming furniture manufacturer RESPAWN Products, which will provide state-of-the-art chairs for the university’s esports program along with branding and logo opportunities.
The two entities entered into the new partnership on Aug. 24. As part of the agreement, RESPAWN will provide a branded banner and 25 new gaming chairs for the Shenandoah esports arena. The mesh-back chairs will be blue, white and red and feature the RESPAWN and Shenandoah esports logos. These will replace the university’s current competition and practice chairs. RESPAWN has also provided the university with free Fortnite chairs to be given away as prizes during future gaming tournaments.
In return for the chairs, Shenandoah will feature the RESPAWN brand logo on its esports streams and broadcasts and on the university’s esports team jerseys. RESPAWN Marketing Manager Alex Gonzalez has also agreed to guest lecture in Shenandoah’s esports classes.
RESPAWN creates ergonomic gaming furniture for the gaming community, which includes active gaming enthusiasts, content creators and professional players. The company has provided gaming equipment to several professional esports teams, such as the Houston Outlaws, as well as for some of the biggest events in the world, including the Fortnite World Cup and the World Series of Poker.
It’s a huge brand. It’s one of the most recognized chair brands in esports, and chairs are BIG in esports. This partnership provides both name exposure and brand exposure, and we are extremely grateful and very excited to be joining with RESPAWN in this epic partnership.”
Joey Gawrysiak, Ph.D. | Shenandoah Esports Director
Shenandoah is the first university in the U.S. with an academic esports major, a varsity competitive esports team and an on-site esports spectator arena. It offers one of the most robust offerings of esports academic programs in the country, including the first multi-track esports major, an MBA degree, and a coaching certificate.
- Esports Management (MBA)
- Esports Management (BBA)
- Esports Media and Communication (BS)
- Esports Management (BS)
- Esports Coaching Certificate
- Esports Management Undergraduate Certificate
- Esports Management Graduate Certificate
- Esports Management Minor
More than 40 students are currently enrolled in the esports major in what is the program’s second year, and 47 players are competing on the varsity esports team.
Shenandoah University has gone above and beyond compared to a majority of esports programs in the United States. By offering a dedicated esports curriculum and MBA program, they have shown that they are dedicated to supporting a variety of careers within the gaming space. We’re extremely excited to launch this partnership with them as we hope to work together in unique ways throughout 2021, including internship opportunities, scholarships and more.”
Alex Gonzalez | RESPAWN Marketing Manager
