The US-based University of Nebraska–Lincoln is seeking donors to help fund a new esports facility valued at around $1.6 million. The planned esports experience lab will be built in the basement of the Nebraska Union and is scheduled to open next fall.

The project also comes with additional yearly operating costs. Along with the construction expense, the program is expected to cost about $150,000 per year to operate.

This includes $90,000 for a coach or director, $40,000 for a graduate assistant, and $20,000 to cover expenses for varsity esports players. Varsity esports players are student-athletes who represent their high school or college in organised, competitive video gaming at the highest institutional level.

Therefore, the program is seeking support from donors to help fund both the construction of the facility and its ongoing costs. The College of Journalism and Mass Communications will operate the facility, according to official details.

The objective is to serve as an esports experience lab where students can learn how to plan, design and operate esports events. The lab will also give students access to technology and equipment used in esports competitions and media production. University officials also clarified that this esports program is different from other undergraduate programs in the college because students can only earn a certificate, not a full degree. They also explained that the program will include two types of teams: varsity and club teams.

Another part of the program is creating an esports lounge. This will be a special room on campus equipped with gaming computers, consoles, and other technology needed for esports. Students will use this space to practice with their teams, play matches or tournaments, and work together on gaming-related activities.

The esports experience lab will be the second time esports has been formally integrated into the university’s academic curriculum. The College of Journalism and Mass Communications started offering an esports media and communications certificate last fall.

UNL isn’t the only institution moving into esports infrastructure. Universities and colleges around the world are starting to build their own esports labs and facilities as well. For instance, Philips Monitors recently signed a donation agreement with HUFS C&T at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) in South Korea. Meanwhile, Fort Erie International Academy (FEIA) partnered with A5 Labs a few weeks ago to launch Canada’s first scholastic esports facility and competitive programme.

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