How Horizon AVL Helped Shape My Syracuse Experience
By: Evan Spector, (intern in journalism) for Horizon AVL & Esports Integration
When I was deciding where to attend college, I wanted to find a school with a major I would be enthusiastic and devoted to. Immediately, Syracuse University stood out with a wide range of learning pathways. As someone passionate about gaming, and as an esports fan, Syracuse’s investment in its esports facilities, built by Horizon AVL, drew me in to apply for the Esports Communications and Management major. The dual major through the Falk School of Sports and the S.I Newhouse School of Public Communications has opened up opportunities to get hands-on work with equipment in the facilities and gain experience that will benefit me in years to come.
At Syracuse, Horizon AVL has built two esports centers: one located in our Schine Student Center and the other in our Marley Education Center Esports Auditorium. Students attending Syracuse University, or SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), have easy access to either center and can freely use all of the equipment. To get a chance to game, the centers work on a first-come, first-served basis with a three-hour limit.
One of the biggest strengths of Syracuse University’s Esports program is the variety of games, technology, and experiences available to students. Between the Barnes Center and the Schine Student Center, students have access to an extensive library of today’s most popular console, PC, and virtual reality titles, including Rocket League, Fortnite, League of Legends, Rainbow Six Siege, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, EA Sports College Football 25, NBA 2K25, Madden 25, and many more.
Barnes Center of The Arch
The gaming facility inside the Barnes Center at The Arch has quickly become one of my favorite places on campus. Opened in 2019, the space features 36 high-performance gaming PCs, multiple Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch consoles, giving students plenty of options regardless of what they enjoy playing. With a variety of powerful equipment, what stands out to me most are the SIM racing stations and virtual reality setup. Those experiences offer something you can’t easily recreate at home and allow students to try technology they may never have used before.
The Schine Student Center’s 5,800-square-foot Gaming and Esports Center serves as the home of Syracuse’s varsity Esports teams and remains open to all students. The facility features 24 high-end gaming PCs, 18 gaming consoles, a 10-PCmatch stage, classic arcade machines, SIM racing stations, virtual reality units, and a dedicated broadcast production space complete with a control room, shoutcasting area, and large stage displays. Whether students want to compete, create content, broadcast live events, or simply enjoy gaming with friends, these facilities provide opportunities for every type of gamer. Having access to professional-grade equipment and a welcoming esports community has made my experience at Syracuse even more rewarding and has reinforced my confidence that I chose the right university to pursue my passion and future career in esports.
Syracuse University Schine Center
The centers are not typical gaming rooms; a strong sense of belonging and community is always present, and friends are welcome. Student gaming clubs regularly meet weekly, whether they compete in competitive or casual games against each other. Students have created weekly tournaments to create opportunities for others to socialize and compete in a fun environment. After making it through my first winter, I’ve found that the facilities help provide students with a place to go and prevent many from being cooped up in their dorms gaming alone. The centers are a place for students to naturally collaborate and branch out to others in different majors. Whether one’s major is Communications, Broadcasting, Sports Management, or Marketing, it is an environment for everyone to learn and network with each other, build friendship, and make connections.
Throughout the year, there have been many notable events hosted in the Schine Center that I had the pleasure of attending or working. On September 20-21st, 2025, I got my first taste of esports with Syracuse hosting Campus Takeover. The large collegiate gatherings showcased how quickly college esports is growing. The Rocket League contest brought together programs from Boise State University, Michigan State University, the University of Nebraska, and Syracuse University. In December, the New York Esports High School Championship took place with hundreds gathered together to watch high schoolers duel it out in Mario Kart, Marvel Rivals, and Rocket League. Watching multiple Universities and high schools compete in one arena demonstrated how esports can connect students from across the country while creating opportunities for networking, collaboration, and celebration of school pride.
Beyond the bigger tournaments, helping out in student-run ones behind the scenes has been more influential to my success. I helped out at the end of my freshman year with an NBA 2k26 tournament hosted in the Schine Center. The involvement grew my event operation skills and taught me strategies to organize successful esports events. My interest in communications and management was reinforced while creating memorable memories that will be cherished. Experiences like this have given me the confidence to use skills learned in the classroom and translate them to real-world opportunities.
Heading into my sophomore year, I am motivated to continue taking advantage of everything Syracuse has to offer. I am looking forward to working in our new Marley Education Center Esports Auditorium for Esports competitions. I’m excited to continue to see how the Esports program grows with the new addition and will be on top of presented opportunities.
Marley Education Center Esports Auditorium
Looking back, choosing Syracuse because of its investment in their Esports program is the best decision I could’ve made. The experiences I’ve gained in the facilities have strengthened my passion for Esports Communications and Management while preparing me for the real world. I am grateful for Horizon AVL’s dedication to the Syracuse esports program, their creation of amazing facilities that are more than gaming centers, and the opportunity to intern with Horizon AVL and Esports Integration. I am grateful to openly express my interest and love for gaming while connecting, competing, and beginning to be successful in the field.
