It has been an honor to keep step with the gaming life and events at Purdue University, West Lafayette. I have mentioned it often how heavily involved Ethan (Jolteon79) was in the gaming community during his four years of Material Science Engineering undergraduate studies. In those years while leading in Clubs, Ethan was encouraged by Jason Maynard, Senior Assistant Director of Sport Programs at the Purdue Recreation and Wellness center, to build esports community. I am humbled by the work Jason has pressed forward with and grateful to get to know him.
At the start of this summer, I received word from Jason that the dream of a focused esports program at Purdue would be a reality much sooner than anticipated. In June, Dell Technologies and Purdue announced an agreement to establish the APGL, one of the largest dedicated collegiate gaming facilities in the country. Our family was glad in 2022 when the Boiler Game Mine opened at the Memorial Union on campus. The BGM allowed the Splatoon @ Purdue Club, along with many other Purdue Gaming Clubs, to continue in the efforts of building esports life with a dedicated space. Now, with the news from Dell, Jason excitedly let me know the esports hub of gaming Ethan had collaborated with him towards was now a reality!
I traveled to Purdue in West Lafayette Thursday, August 15th, for the grand opening ceremony of the Alienware Purdue Gaming Lounge (APGL). The Lounge is truly an inspiring 2000 square foot space on the lower level of the Co-Rec situated in the heart of campus. Congratulations to Jason Maynard who communicated his vision for what could be possible and for seeing it through. Thank you to Mike Warren for hearing and believing in what Jason communicated as a need and working to bring it forward to today.
“The esports ecosystem at Purdue is thriving, with thousands of students actively participating,” said Mike Warren, senior director of Recreation & Wellness at Purdue. “Whether students are looking to get casually involved or compete at higher levels, we are excited to support gaming here at Purdue RecWell, showcasing the latest technology.”
I was blessed to be a part of the energy of the grand opening day. Sharing the joy of this building work with Jason, celebrating achievements with the new Splatoon @ Purdue Club leadership, and seeing the amazing technology that Dell brought to the space with Alienware. It was fun meeting up with Katie Sermersheim, Dean of Students, in the viewing gallery and hearing her excitement for the esports program. Meeting students on staff for APGL gave me an appreciation for the ecosystem that has been steadily building. The Varsity Team room and Purdue Broadcasting studio are incredible! There will be great commentating and tournaments ahead!
There was plenty of time to sit in awe of what the last six years have been about… building a dream one step at a time. I recall Ethan’s efforts in Club life, both Splatoon @ Purdue and Pokemon Draft League with the Battle Association of Purdue. My memories brought back his excitement from April 9th of 2022 when he welcomed teams from Michigan State University to Purdue campus for the first in-person Collegiate LAN event featuring more than two collegiate teams representing their university. The Splatoon @ Purdue RecWell esports Intercollegiate Invitational was held at the Co-Rec that April as a foreshadowing of what has now become esports on campus.
I marvel at the opportunity and potential for students ahead. Purdue now a part of the Collegiate esports scene with Varsity teams is everything our son worked toward with Jason during his time on campus.
Such an amazing Giant Leap again at Purdue University this week!
I always carry
Jolteon79
in my heart!
I know he was right there with us in the APGL on Thursday… laughing, smiling and overjoyed for this dream come true!
