Student Impact
Student experiences in competition, broadcasting, and campus community—with sources you can explore.
A place to connect, contribute, and practice
Vandal Esports is part of the Department of Student Involvement (DSI), within Student Affairs. The program brings together team competition, student production work, and campus activities. The university describes opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, including casual and competitive players. University program overview.
Student participation and growth
The 2026 Giving Day page reported 100+ student competitors and approximately 40 student staff. Director Wayne Ebenroth confirmed the current staff count of 50, the goal of 75, and the reporting structure on September 20, 2026. The goal is a target, not a current count.
In students' own words
“Finding an Esports organization allowed me to find like-minded people to play with”
“Working here and building my portfolio has been really helpful.”
Broadcasting experience students can show
A June 2026 university feature follows Wyatt Curl and Sam Newberry as they gain commentary experience and build portfolios. These individual stories show what participation can look like; they are not a program-wide job-placement statistic.
Read the broadcasting coverage summary or read David Jackson's university feature.
Learning through real production work
The university's 2026 Giving Day description identifies student work in broadcast production, video, design, event operations, technology, and team leadership. It describes projects through which students can develop portfolios and practice collaboration. 2026 Giving Day program description.
From a program role to a skill students can practice
- Players and team leaders: practice communication, shared preparation, and responding to feedback through matches and team review.
- Broadcasters and production staff: practice explaining live action, coordinating a show, and producing work for a portfolio.
- Content creators and event staff: practice planning, meeting deadlines, and working with an audience.
These are opportunities to practice, not guaranteed career outcomes. One documented example: the June 2026 university feature reports that both Curl and Sam Newberry also worked on Vandal Athletics broadcasts for ESPN+, including camera and replay work. Read the reported experiences or watch student-produced work.
Community beyond the roster
The Argonaut documented a drop-in Vandal Games event in January 2025 and gaming conventions in 2024 and 2025. These reports show examples of campus and community participation beyond team matches.
Competitive opportunities
In April 2025, The Argonaut reported on the varsity Rocket League team's trip to the ECAC Spring Showdown. The story describes the experience of traveling and meeting other collegiate teams.
Read the New York trip summary · Explore competition history