Grand Opening of ASU's Gaming and E-Sports Laboratory and Recreational Center
* Ribbon-cutting by ASU President, Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr.
By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU
Alabama State University held the grand opening of its inaugural Gaming and E-Sports Laboratory and Recreational Center (Center) on March 8, which is located on the first-floor of the John Garrick Hardy Student Center.
The official opening consisted of a ribbon-cutting by ASU President, Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr., which was followed by remarks from Dr. Malinda Swoope, vice president of Student Affairs; Bennie Cooks, director of External Operations and E-Sports advisor; Dalu Jackson, ADT executive vice president, Trint Martinez with the Student Government Association and Keisha Walker, founder of The Black Collegiate Gaming Association (BCGA).
"This new facility is here to enhance student life and engagement in a cutting-edge sport and strive for success with our students now being able to compete in E-Sports, which is being considered as a new category in the upcoming Paris Olympics," said Dr. Swoope, before the ribbon-cutting by President Ross.
The Center features more than $90,000 in state-of-the-art gaming and recreational
equipment, designed for the enjoyment of ASU students. The gaming equipment was donated
to the University by the BCGA, which specializes in e-sports and gaming education,
producing professional gaming summits and conferences, connecting student talent with
top companies for internship and career opportunities, and sourcing corporate partners
for scholarship and mentorship opportunities.
The BCGA donations were made possible by the generous largesse of several companies,
including ADT, Sony PlayStation, Lenovo, Intel, HyperX, GameStop, Home Depot and 2K.
"ADT is proud to help secure ASU’s Gaming and Esports Lab and empower Black college students with a place to feel safe, innovate, and advance in gaming and technology," stated ADT's Jackson.
News media contact: Kenneth Mullinax, 334-229-4104.
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