An October Shenandoah University esports program trip to Amsterdam to attend and evaluate the Dutch League of Legends finals – the first in-person esport event to be held at the H20 Esports Campus, one of the world’s top esports facilities – has resulted in a collaboration between Shenandoah and H20.
Shenandoah and H20 will formalize their cooperative efforts soon with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in Winchester on a date to be determined. H20 is an esports and tech company that not only has a large esports arena, but also a school devoted to teaching esports, augmented and virtual reality and more. The goal is for Shenandoah to work with H20 on events, production, esports performance, and general tech business.
The initial trip leading to the MOU “was a collaboration between the H20 Esports Campus and us here at Shenandoah esports. We were put in touch through a mutual connection we have that was doing some esports research from the Netherlands,” said Shenandoah Director and Associate Professor of Esports Joey Gawrysiak, Ph.D. During the seven-day trip, the students, Dr. Gawrysiak, and Shenandoah Instructor of Esports Chris Scroggins, M.S., also met with Dutch esports managers and professionals, learning about the European scene while also providing their hosts with a greater understanding of the North American esports and educational landscape.
“This trip reinforces what we are doing here at SU with and through esports. To continue being a premier esports educational institution, we have to learn from top experts around the world,” Gawrysiak said.
“This shows how unique SU is and how we are preparing students for possible careers in and around esports and gaming. No other school has had this kind of opportunity and we will be continuing to grow this relationship while developing new ones around the world to best prepare students to be successful upon graduation. This is how SU esports goes beyond gaming.”
– Shenandoah Director and Associate Professor of Esports Joey Gawrysiak, Ph.D.
“We got to meet some very influential people in the esports and esports production fields, and my hope is to work with them one day,” said Sean Kelly ’22, a business administration and esports management double major. The other five students participating in the trip were Nikita Bair ’23, Ian Burnett ’24, Cameron Tucker ’24, Dylan Lewis ’22, and Alex Whitmer ’22.
“I wanted to be a part of this experience to have a chance to meet and interact with some of the best in the industry in Europe,” said Bair, who is an MBA student and graduate assistant for the university’s esports program.
“The knowledge I was able to gain in such a short amount of time in Amsterdam is invaluable. I also wanted to be a part of one of the first professional esports events held in person after COVID-19 put a halt on all in-person activity. Having events in person is such a huge part of esports, and having the opportunity to help work the event was amazing.”
– Nikita Bair ’23, Shenandoah University MBA student and esports program graduate assistant
International experience is especially important in the world of esports, which is a global phenomenon, and for Shenandoah students, who are studying in one of the world’s top esports programs, Gawrysiak said.
“International experience is essential because you get to see whole new perspectives that are closed off to you if you do not leave the country,” added Kelly, who previously traveled with Shenandoah to Seoul, South Korea. “Sato Shota of Japanbets eSports introduced us to Japanese eSports players during our visit to Tokyo. Observing the culture of Japanese players and being able to compare it to what we had learned in Seoul was incredibly helpful. Seeing the culture and how people interact in various countries is extremely important. ”
Bair agreed, noting that various elements of the industry change depending on location. “Understanding these nuances are key for being in this industry, as the language of esports is universal and you can find yourself working in different parts of the world and the quality of your craft can increase tremendously if you know the audience and consumer you are working for.”
“This was a trip about working in esports, not competing, so being able to meet and be hands-on in person with a top esports facility in the world was extremely beneficial. Students seeing where there are job opportunities in and through esports firsthand, especially outside the U.S. and their comfort zones, was the best part of this trip.”
– Shenandoah Director and Associate Professor of Esports Joey Gawrysiak, Ph.D.
“My greatest takeaway from this time was understanding how the esports industry works from firsthand experiences,” Bair said. “I was able to witness the unorthodox hours and tasks that are required to thrive in this industry, and being able to gain this knowledge before I enter the workforce is incredible.”
Gawrysiak also found the trip inspirational as an esports educator and professional. “The Dutch culture and acceptance of esports was great to experience as they look to grow as an esports hub for all of Europe and the world. I have some thoughts and ideas based on this trip I want to implement here at SU to take us to the next level of esports and education.”
Photos: Sean Kelly ’22
