Around 200 people jammed into an SRO meeting room just outside of the new UIS e-sports arena that will host the schools gaming team.

The state-of-the-art facility was constructed in the former Grill Room of the Founders Residence Hall on campus.

The ‘arena’ features 13 gaming stations, ambient lighting, walls covered in big screen monitors for spectators and a high-tech sound system.

First year coach, William Rios, says this facility will provide a place where like-minded students can come together and participate with and compete against students at schools from around the county.

Chancellor Janet Gooch was on hand for the ribbon cutting and she says that gaming provides a place where students interested in STEM can find a common ground and a place to develop life-long associations.