四虎影视

Esports

Esports

BEYOND GAMING

The mission of the 四虎影视 Esports program is to go beyond gaming and provide students with an opportunity to develop academically, competitively, and professionally in order to become innovators and leaders in the esports ecosystem.

Our vision is to set the standard for professionalism in the esports ecosystem.

esports competition team

WHY ESPORTS?

It鈥檚 a field exploding with opportunity.

The worldwide esports audience is massive, at 532 million, and there are more than 8 million active streamers on Twitch. Discord, also popular among gamers, Discord has over 150 million active monthly users and 390 million registered accounts and is valued at $15 billion.

While the esports industry as a whole is already a billion-dollar business, it is expected to continue to grow, with an anticipated 2024 value of $1.6 billion, according to .

According to Indeed.com, a gaming manager for Blizzard Entertainment, a division of esports juggernaut Activision Blizzard, can earn up to $155,000, while a freelance esports and video game writer can earn an average salary of $60,985, according to ZipRecruiter.

Also, major esports competitions are multifaceted endeavors with worldwide audiences and multimillion-dollar prize pools.

Shenandoah鈥檚 Esports Team

Shenandoah鈥檚 esports team competes through the and the Mid-Atlantic Esports Conference (MAEC), with over 40 varsity team members playing five esports titles against players at colleges and universities across the U.S. and Canada. The team鈥檚 on-campus home is in the Esports Arena adjacent to the Armory and has a private varsity practice space in Halpin-Harrison Hall. Shenandoah has one of the first esports arenas on the East Coast and the first collegiate, spectator esports arena in Virginia! The competitive team and students in the degree programs work hand-in-hand, allowing both groups to have the best esport experience possible, which will help them in college and long after.

A Growing Esports Workforce

esports competition team

The esports field is perfect for anyone interested in event management, communications, gameplay, coaching, exercise science, or being part of a field that promises to grow more prominent and engaging with every passing year. For example, from 2018 to 2019, paid esports positions increased by over 110%.

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As noted on CNBC by Peter Guber, a co-owner of the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Dodgers and the professional esports organization Team Liquid, being able to fill a particular place isn鈥檛 necessary for esports.

You'll see that it's everywhere, and it isn't bound by geography. You don't use a stick or a bat to play, and you can play alone or with a whole group of people, play against the best."

Peter Guber | Co-owner of Team Liquid

esports competition team
esports competition team

A new world has arrived, right at your fingertips.

We鈥檙e ready to pick up the controller and play.

Are You?

Esports News

四虎影视 (Virginia) Esports program students at GamerFest in Dublin, Ireland, October 2023

The Esports Isle

A dozen members of 四虎影视鈥檚 esports program explored the sport鈥檚 global reach during an October聽Global Experiential Learning trip to Ireland. Shenandoah is home to one of the first ... Continue Reading The Esports Isle

Read More Esports News

INSTRUCTOR OF ESPORTS

Zander Merle-Smith

Zander Merle-Smith received his Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Tech and MBA with a focus in Esports Management from 四虎影视. He has plans to continue his education with an EdD in the future.

His previous experience as broadcast production lead, esports commentator, and event operations has given him the background knowledge to prepare the next generation for the esports industry.

Merle-Smith has performed as on-camera talent for high school, collegiate, and professional esports events

Zander Merle-Smith
Alyssa Duran

ESPORTS DIRECTOR

Alyssa Duran

Alyssa studied at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA where she was involved with the university鈥檚 varsity esports program. Her experience as an esports competitor and coach led her to her former position at 四虎影视 as Coordinator of Esports Competition. Now, Alyssa leads the program as the Esports Director and assists with teaching various esports courses.
Additionally, Alyssa sits on the Competition Council for the National Association of Collegiate Esports. She has been recognized for her work as an advocate for collegiate esports through receiving NAIA Champions of Character (2021) and Outstanding Leader of the Year (2020) awards.

COORDINATOR OF ESPORTS PRODUCTION

Fernando Preciado-Leal

Fernando鈥檚 experience playing on professional teams, collegiate teams, and coaching at multiple universities prepares him well for the position of Coordinator of Competition. As the Coordinator of Esports Competition he oversees the competitive esports teams and the development of the coaches for the varsity program. His background in private security tactics help him elevate student communication and in-game decision making.

STUDENT COORDINATOR OF ESPORTS PRODUCTION

Ian Burnett

Current student in the esports program studying Esports Management as well as Esports Media and Communications, graduating May 2024. Competed for Shenandoah鈥檚 Rocket League, Call of Duty, Valorant, and Counter Strike: Global Offensive teams between Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. Currently one of the coaches of the Rocket League team. Served as an SEP under the esports program since 2022 focusing on Broadcast Production and Content Creation initiatives. Accepted the role of Student Esports Production Coordinator in January 2024.

esports