Herkimer College to add esports- management degree and arena this fall

HERKIMER, N.Y. — Herkimer County Community College will add a new esports-management degree this fall and a new esports arena to support the new degree and the esports team on campus.

“This is an exciting time for Herkimer College with the addition of esports management to our academic portfolio,” Cathleen C. McColgin, Herkimer College president, said in a release. “This is not only an opportunity for students to transform a passion for gaming into a dynamic career, but it also positions graduates in the forefront of a rapidly emerging, multi-billion dollar industry.”

The esports industry, which involves professional or semi-professional gaming in an organized format, continues to see growth. The need for managers to support the industry is also projected to increase. According to Insider Intelligence, there were 532 million esports viewers worldwide in 2022.

Herkimer’s degree program enables graduates to enter the workforce upon graduation or continue their education at a four-year institution. Graduates can expect to find employment in events management, broadcasting, facilities, game-day management and operations, public relations, marketing, and sales.

“What is unique about our program is that it not only prepares students in esports management, event planning, and sports governance, but it [also] provides learners with a critical business foundation, providing for unlimited opportunities,” Steven Boucher, a business professor at Herkimer College, said.

Herkimer College created the Generals esports athletic program in 2020, making it one of 81 institutions nationwide competing in the National Junior College Athletic Association Esports (NJCAAE), which is comprised of more than 600 teams and 1,500 student athletes.

In its five seasons of competition, Herkimer’s team has won a national championship in Call of Duty Gunfight and had three top-four finishes and a top-eight finish in various gaming disciplines.

“I am beyond excited to have this academic program in conjunction with our rapidly growing esports team,” Joshua Lanza, Herkimer College’s esports coach said. “I look forward to working with our students not only as their coach but also as their teacher in the classroom. By including esports management as a recognized major, we are showing the community that there is so much more to esports than just playing video games.”

The esports arena’s initial phase will be completed by the fall of 2023. Herkimer College did not release any additional details about the facility.