News

A group of students play in esports tournament.

Gen.G Foundation Launches $1M Commitment For Students in Esports, With a Scholarship Reserved for UK Student

Gina Lee Aug 27, 2020

Global esports organization Gen.G today announced a $1 million commitment to developing the next-generation of leaders in the gaming industry, with the University of Kentucky as a foundation partner. Gen.G has pledged to commit $100,000 annually for 10 years through the establishment of the Gen.G Foundation.

The Cornerstone, under construction at South Limestone and Winslow Street, will house the UK Federal Credit Union Esports Lounge and Theater.

UK Federal Credit Union Acquires Naming Rights for Esports Lounge, Theater

Ryan Girves Jul 1, 2020

The longstanding relationship between the University of Kentucky and the UK Federal Credit Union (UKFCU) is expanding. The credit union and JMI Sports, UK’s multimedia rights partner, have announced a naming rights partnership with the university for the esports complex in The Cornerstone, a new multiuse facility now under construction at the corner of South Limestone and Winslow Street on campus.

A student grips an Xbox One controller while playing during tournament.

Gen.G and UK Bring Students, Faculty, Alumni and Fans Together With Big Blue Nation Online NBA 2K Tournament

Jay Blanton Apr 1, 2020

Gen.G, the global esports organization connecting the best gamers in the United States and Asia, and the University of Kentucky today announced a first-ever UK Twitch Tournament for current, former and future students, as well as alumni and fans — known as the “Big Blue Nation” or “BBN.”

UK is leading the way in collegiate responses to esports in the United States.

UK Experts Weigh In on Trends That Will Define the Decade: Esports

Meg Mills Mar 11, 2020

The year 2020 kicks off a new decade. What will the next 10 years bring in the areas of health, technology, climate, the economy, politics and more? In a new recurring series, UKNow explores the next decade by asking University of Kentucky experts to discuss and predict upcoming trends in their areas. Today, we spoke with Anthony Limperos, an associate dean of graduate programs in communication and an associate professor in the College of Communication and Information, and asked him to look ahead at how esports will shape 2020 and beyond.

Upcoming Town Hall to Discuss Esports

Ryan Girves Feb 17, 2020

The University of Kentucky will host an Esports Town Hall to discuss UK’s vision on how esports can be a platform for student success, belonging and career development. Provost David Blackwell and Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration Eric Monday will speak on this topic for faculty and staff along with a brief overview of the Winslow construction.

UK Alumna, 'Cheddar Esports' Host Erin Simon Helps Connect UK to Esports

Meg Mills Jan 30, 2020

Esports is the competitive multiplayer video game industry that is taking the world by storm. Erin Simon, a University of Kentucky College of Communication and Information alumna, has become a huge part of that world. The New Jersey native is currently an anchor and host for "Cheddar Esports," a live esports and gaming news show.

PlayVS/KHSAA Esports Winter State Championship Taking Place at UK

Joe Angolia Jan 28, 2020

State champions will be crowned in Rocket League and League of Legends Thursday, Jan. 30, when the PlayVS/ Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) Esports Winter State Championship takes place at the Gatton Student Center on the University of Kentucky campus. The Rocket League finals are set for 4 p.m. and will feature Shelby County’s “Rockets Gold Squad” taking on Graves County’s “Leverage Esports” team. The League of Legends championship will follow at 5:30 p.m. with Elizabethtown’s “E-Town Panthers” squaring off against Lafayette’s “Generals (A).”

UK, Gen.G, JMI Team up to Host Speaker Series Focused on Esports

Ryan Girves Jan 15, 2020

As part of the next step in its innovative plan to be a global leader in connecting esports and higher education, the University of Kentucky — along with its partner Gen.G — is kicking off a national speaker series, devoted to the broad range of issues associated with esports and gaming. The series kicks off at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, with a reception on the Social Staircase of the Gatton Student Center and will transition into Worsham Theatre for a panel discussion and Q&A led by Erin Ashley Simon, esports personality and UK alumna, on esports and gaming at UK and beyond.

The UK Wildcat mascot observed participants in the UK and Gen.G event in New York as they tried out some of the latest games and gaming hardware from Samsung. Photo by Vinny Dusovic.

UK Esports Partnership Begins to Take Shape

Jay Blanton and Brad Nally Nov 12, 2019

The University of Kentucky’s vision for developing an esports program is bigger than games and sport. “The main motivation … is our belief, our fervent conviction, that games will really bring the entire world together … and it’s going to be led by the young people of our next generation,” said Chris Park, CEO of Gen.G sports, a global leader in esports. “Today is really a celebration of games. It’s a celebration of students.”

Wally Johnson, president of UK's esports club, says the UK and Gen.G partnership could be an important tool for student recruitment.

UK Partners With Gen.G to Build Community Through Games

Jay Blanton, Amy Jones-Timoney, Benjamine Branscum, and Kody Kiser Oct 22, 2019

As part of strategic efforts to leverage technology to maximize student success and build community, the University of Kentucky today announced a partnership with the global esports company Gen.G to build a first-of-its-kind global gaming and esports program. The collaboration is being jointly led by two UK offices: Student and Academic Life and Information Technology Services.