UConn is "reshaping the landscape of Husky athletics" and dedicating a space to house the UConn Gaming Club, its esports group, according to Chris Brodeur of the HARTFORD COURANT. Formerly known as UConn Esports and "staffed by 27 students," UGC is "not officially sanctioned by the university, nor the NCAA." However, esports tournaments "attract sponsors and prizes are awarded to winning teams." UConn's "impending move to the Big East is expected to help facilitate esports matchups with other schools." UConn esports teams will "schedule scrimmages or seek opponents from other schools." The "obstacles facing the UConn Gaming Club are what you might expect," such as its "struggle for full-fledged recognition" from the school. UGC Event Dir Ryan Marsh said that the Big East's esports scene is "in its infancy," but the "hope is that a sort of virtual conference can take shape, commencing regular competition among member schools." The NCAA "has not yet added esports to the list of 24 sports it governs," though some schools have "folded esports programs into their athletic departments" (HARTFORD COURANT, 9/12).
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