Independence Community College hosted an Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on March 8 for the newly established Esports Arena, located in the Student Union. The event took place from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The Esports program is new to ICC this academic year.
“ICC is excited to be able to provide students with the opportunity to compete in esports,” said Christopher Kumke, Director of Esports. “The arena gives students a chance to explore their passions and potentially create a career.”
The arena houses 21 gaming stations for students, three public flatscreens for gaming, and a driving/flight simulator. Students can compete, live stream/broadcast tournaments, and handle motion graphics within the Esports program.
The team has already staked claims on some hardware, bringing home a National Title from the NACE Starleague Grand Finals on December 5, 2021. The team will continue to compete for the remainder of the academic year.
“The addition of esports to ICC provides students the opportunity to collaborate in a team setting while providing recreational opportunities that connect to employability skills learned in the classroom,” explained President Bowhay. “Our program is both distinctive and competitive, and I am excited to watch these students grow as a part of the program.”