Esports at Syracuse University: A Scalable Model for Power 4 Institutions

Case Study: How Syracuse University Built a Scalable, Strategic Esports Model for Power 4 Institutions

In a higher education landscape defined by shifting student interests and declining youth engagement in traditional sports, Syracuse University has emerged as a national leader in collegiate esports. In collaboration with Syracuse Esports, VOICE presents a new case study detailing how Syracuse developed a fully integrated, institutionally aligned esports program that is scalable, sustainable, and a strategic advantage for Power 4 institutions.

Esports, Elevated: The Syracuse Approach

Syracuse University’s esports ecosystem is anchored by three key pillars:

• Academic Integration
  Through a first-of-its-kind Esports Communications and Management program, students gain real-world skills in business, communications, and media design. Three academic tracks prepare graduates to enter the industry with expertise in sponsorships, production, marketing, and more.
• Career Development & Global Industry Access
  Strategic partnerships with organizations like Riot Games, Gen.G, and Samsung offer Syracuse students exclusive immersion programs, paid campus events, and international practicums in places like Seoul, South Korea.
• High-Performance Competition & Facilities
  Syracuse fields varsity teams across major titles like Valorant, Rocket League, and Overwatch 2—backed by scholarships, dedicated coaches, and a multi-tiered facility model, including a 20,000-square-foot esports headquarters.

ROI for Recruitment, Revenue, and Recognition

Syracuse’s commitment has already shown measurable impact:

• A 22% increase in esports program applications.
• A 92% retention rate for esports-affiliated students.
• Over $2.5 million secured in strategic partnerships.
• 50+ paid student positions in events, production, and content creation.
• Significant growth in both local community engagement and national brand visibility.

The university has built a comprehensive infrastructure that spans casual play, varsity-level competition, experiential education, and academic rigor—all without the high overhead of traditional athletics. It’s a cost-effective, scalable model designed for replication across other top-tier institutions.

The Path Forward

As Power 4 schools look for new ways to remain competitive, relevant, and digitally forward, Syracuse offers a compelling blueprint. Their model proves that with the right alignment between academics, student engagement, and industry, esports can be a cornerstone of institutional innovation and long-term growth.

Download the full Syracuse Esports Case Study above.