Begin Match: Experience the World of Esports at UIS!

Esports has taken the world by storm, especially among college and high school students. At UIS, we’ve joined the game by designing our own state-of-the-art facility for students.

The Arena

The UIS Esports Arena, situated within the newly renovated space of Founders Residence Hall, boasts a remarkable setup. Equipped with 13 specialized gaming computers tailored for competitive play, the arena features top-of-the-line gaming consoles, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch. Available to all students, these devices will cater to both intense competitive matches and casual recreational gaming.

Provided Games

  • Among Us
  • Apex Legends
  • COD Warzone II
  • Counter Strike: Global Offensive
  • Dota 2
  • Fall Guys
  • Fortnite
  • League of Legends
  • Overwatch 2
  • Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds
  • Rocket League
  • Valorant

Computer Specs

  • Intel 12700K i7 CPU
  • ASUS TUF 4070 GPU
  • 32GB Corsair Vengeance DDR4 PC3600 Memory
  • 2TB Samsung 970 EVO SSD
  • Corsair 5000D Airflow Case
    • 5 intake fans / 4 exhaust fans
    • 360mm AIO for CPU cooling
  • Razer Deathadder V3 Pro mouse
  • Corsair K70 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Pursuit of Academic Growth

Beyond the thrill of spirited gaming, the addition of esports at UIS holds immense academic potential. Students pursuing degrees in computer science and visual arts stand to benefit significantly from the skills and experience gained through esports.

The Team

The competitive UIS Esports team, led by coach William Rios, is set to comprise of 15-25 dedicated UIS students who will proudly represent the university in the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC). Competing in the NECC will garner national exposure for the UIS Esports team and allow students to virtually compete against other collegiate teams across the United States. In terms of competition, the team is initially focused on games like “Rocket League” and “Valorant” but will be looking to add other titles based on student preferences.

Get in on the Action

Joining the UIS Esports team is an opportunity you won't want to miss! Coach Rios will be hosting a series of exciting events and tournaments throughout the academic year, leading up to official tryouts. While specific dates are yet to be confirmed and announced for in-person events, students can express initial interest in joining the competitive team by filling out the UIS Esports Interest Form.

For students looking to utilize the UIS Esports Arena for casual recreational play, it's as simple as dropping in! No registration is required initially. Just use your i-card for entry, and you're ready to dive into the gaming experience.

If demand grows, time limits and sign-ups may be introduced to ensure everyone gets a chance to enjoy the innovative space. However, our goal is to keep accessibility smooth for all students as we kickstart this thrilling journey into the world of esports.

Accessing Games

Using their NetID, students can sign in to any available PC in the arena to access an array of games and apps. If students have an existing account for online gaming platforms like Steam, Epic, BattleNet, and Riot, they can use their personal login credentials to load their profiles after selecting a game. Conversely, if students do not have an account for one of these platforms, they can create one or play a game without an account.

For paid games that students already own, they can simply log in to a chosen device and then download and install the game, which will only be accessible through their gaming profiles.

Stay Connected

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to be part of the esports revolution at the University of Illinois Springfield. Follow the UIS Esports team on Twitter/X and Twitch for updates, and prepare to level up your gaming experience!

For questions or more information, email esports@uis.edu.