The newly established esports communications and management degree program at the University has designated Joey Gawrysiak as its executive director. Gawrysiak was a pioneer in creating one of the country’s initial esports degrees at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, where he is now a professor and director of esports. At Syracuse, he will take charge of the guiding vision for the University’s esports endeavors, supervising all esports academic programs and an esports living learning community. He starts his role on Aug. 21.
Joey Gawrysiak
“Joey possesses the knowledge, vision, and entrepreneurial mindset necessary to successfully launch the University’s esports degree program,” according to Chancellor Kent Syverud. “Having a pioneer in academic esports programming at the helm is exciting. I can’t wait to welcome him to the Orange community.”
Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Gretchen Ritter said, “As we grow and invest in the University’s sport-related academic fields and take advantage of this key distinctive area, Joey’s expertise and leadership will be essential. I am eager to collaborate with him and the deans of Falk and Newhouse to start the new esports degree and broaden our esports facilities.”
Beginning this fall, the esports communications and management degree, offered by the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, is one of the first of its kind at a major university. The program will leverage the rapidly expanding, multibillion-dollar esports industry and build upon existing programs at the campus.
The initiative to start an esports major at Syracuse was led by Jeff Rubin, a special advisor to the chancellor on esports and digital transformation. “This is an exhilarating time for Syracuse University,” says Rubin. “Joey will expand recreational and competitive esports on campus and will assist in implementing and utilizing the University’s new sports facilities.”
Gawrysiak will report to the incoming Falk Dean Jeremy S. Jordan and Newhouse Dean Mark J. Lodato.
Falk Dean Diane Lyden Murphy, who announced her retirement earlier this year, expresses her enthusiasm as she welcomes Joey Gawrysiak, “Joey is well-suited to steer the Falk College and our partners at the Newhouse School as we merge our respective disciplines around esports. In Falk, esports will be enriched by our thriving sport management and sport analytics programs, along with interdisciplinary connections…
“Newhouse has been at the front lines, being one of the first schools in the country to offer courses in esports and communications,” says Lodato. “We are all excited to welcome Joey into the Syracuse University family and cannot wait to strengthen our foundation, in conjunction creating an academic program with the Falk College that prepares students for success in this rapidly emerging field.”
Gawrysiak, who joined Shenandoah in 2012, serves as a faculty member in the sport management and esports department. With his position as the director of esports, he supervises all aspects of the program and has secured more than $100,000 in partnerships while developing the curriculum and experiential learning opportunities.
Gawrysiak earned a PhD in sports management and policy, an M.Ed. in physical education and sports studies, and a B.S.Ed in sports studies, all from the University of Georgia. His areas of focus are esports, video games and sports, international sport culture, and sports and technology and he also sits on the National Association of Collegiate Esports.
“I am thrilled to be part of this prestigious institution and lead its esports program,” says Gawrysiak. “My goal is to create a dynamic and inclusive space that encourages academic excellence and builds a sense of community among our esports students.”
The search committee that selected Gawrysiak was led by Michael Veley, professor of practice and chair of sport management in the Falk College, and Olivia Stomski, professor of practice and director of the Newhouse School’s Sports Media Center.