Daniel Sportello ’23
Daniel Sportello ’23
Director of Esports
Pioneer Esports
Game On: Esports at Utica University
East Coast Conference Member | State-Of-The-Art Gaming Venue
Get in the game! Utica University's Esports Club now offers competitive gaming through the East Coast Conference (ECC), as well as a fully featured tournament-ready Esports venue. ECC features championships in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Rocket League, Valorant, Overwatch, and League of Legends.
The new Carbone Family Esports Auditorium features:
- 30 Workstations with Desktop Gaming Systems
- Main Stage / Large Screen for Gaming Competitions
- Seating for Announcers
- Spectator Seating
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“We are pleased to bring Utica on board as a new member of ECC Esports. Utica is an excellent, innovative institution and we have no doubt that they will develop their new program quickly."
Our Amazing New Venue
This brand new, state-of-the-art facility, located in Bull Hall, is home to the new Utica University Esports Program. Spearheaded by Utica’s own Daniel Sportello ’23, this new space is the hub for Esports activities and tournaments, providing the same opportunities for teamwork, sportsmanship and strategizing as traditional sports.
Esports is rapidly growing among colleges and universities across North America, and this arena already allows Utica students to compete against some of the top Esports teams in the nation.
“Unlike traditional sports programs, Esports is not separated into divisions like the NCAA is, so no matter the size of the college or university, if they have an Esports team, they can compete,” said Sportello. “We have competed against Harvard, Wichita State, Texas A&M, Cornell, Virginia Tech, University of Albany, and so many more.”
Utica opened its 2022 Fall season with a huge win over the reigning Fall Eastern Coast Conference (ECC) champions of Valorant, Southern New Hampshire University, sweeping them 2-0, and as of October 6, Utica’s Call of Duty team was in a two-way tie for first place in the Eastern 3 Conference.
“The program is off to a fantastic start, and things are only going to get better from here,” Sportello said.
Currently, there are 25 active competitors in Utica’s Esports program, with more than 50 total students involved. These numbers are only expected to grow. In addition to the competition team, a student-run Esports club is in the works and will be available soon, which will allow any students from noobs to pros an opportunity to participate in “intramural” style play.
“This gives me the opportunity to pursue a passion in gaming, which is becoming much more mainstream nowadays,” says Justin Allen, sports management major from Hilton, N.Y., who is also co-captain of the men’s hockey team. “I personally get a ton of excitement from playing on the Call of Duty team. I enjoy hanging out with my teammates who also share the same love and passion that I do.”
“Whether you prefer AAA or indie, this program presents exciting opportunities for students and there will be many opportunities to get involved, so don’t stay AFK for too long!” Sportello said.
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