Esports. A World-Class Supplement to a World-Class Education.
Academic Integrations
EMU Esports works closely with various Eastern Michigan University academic departments. This collaboration is designed to deliver a student experience, in and out of the classroom, which utilizes esports as a vehicle of learning valuable professional skills.
Broadcast LIVE Commentary Class Project
Students taking Radio TV News Writing (CTAT 334) have the opportunity to appear as live commentators on the official EMU broadcast in order to satisfy a project requirement.
Facility Cooperation
Both the Digital Media Production Department and the EMU Esports program have dedicated broadcasting facilities. When necessary, these facilities are able to be shared for large and or unique projects.
Sports & Events Management Class Project
Starting in the Fall of 2024, students taking a Sports Event Management course will be able to work with the esports program to plan and execute an event of their choosing.
Organizational Theory Honors Project
Students taking Organizational Theory & Behavior (MGMT 386) have the opportunity to earn honors credit by working in pairs on a 25 page research report. This project studies managerial trends in the esports industry and provides actionable recommendations to EMU Esports leadership.
Additional academic integrations are being developed with the following departments:
Arts Management, Graphic Design, SAG, and Marketing.
Student Internships
Professional, concise, & thoroughly creative
Developed in collaboration with EMU faculty, these positions are designed to deliver team-based practical learning experiences. When working with EMU Esports, each student is given professional-grade responsibilities and expectations in their respective fields. With this in mind, a willingness to learn and grow is the most important trait desired in applicants.
Most positions will either be directly or indirectly involved with the work schedule events. Applicants will be expected to have availability for events outlined in their job descriptions.
Work Schedule
- Mon: 4-6 p.m. - CREATIVE staff meeting
Tue: 6-10 p.m. ESC match days - Wed: 6-10 p.m. ESC match days
- Thu: Media day optional
- Fri: 4-6p m. COMPETITVE staff meeting
- Sat & Sun: N/A
Unscripted Broadcast Internship Expand dropdownLive Broadcast Responsibilities:
- Attend ESC match days as scheduled and the CREATIVE staff meeting
- Maintaining the broadcast’s schedule and the schedule of staff required for that broadcast
- Develop new, creative, efficient, or otherwise fun additions to the broadcast
- Study and perform all of the following ROTATING roles as assigned in the EMU Esports unscripted broadcast (two per week) - all relevant training will be provided:
- Technical Director
- Producer
- Audio Engineer
- Replay Operations
- In-Game Camera Operations
- Studio Camera/Lighting/Props Technician
- On-Screen Talent / Commentary (optional)
Execuitve Producer Responsibilities:
- Attend ESC match days as scheduled
- Relating to the EMU Esports unscripted broadcast (two per week), creatively direct and produce a new segment of the PRE-SHOW. The PRE-SHOW is a 30-minute time slot before official ESC competition days where live or prerecorded material will entertain and or inform the wider EMU community about gaming and gaming culture. New segments will be developed and broadcasted on a rotating cycle assigned to both scripted and unscripted production staff during the competitive season.
Work onsite for at least 5 hours each week. All other hours may be remote if permitted by the nature of work being performed.Hourly Rate: $11.00-12.00 (12-15 hours per week)
Class Credit: 3 hours eligible through DMCJ required internship
Scripted Productions Internship Expand dropdownSolo Project Responsibilities:
- Direct and produce a new entry into one of the following ongoing EMU Esports video series:
- SOAR (commercialized hype video)
- Beyond The Nest (documentary)
- Ascension (recruited player features)
- Manage a dedicated production budget to further enhance the quality of released content
- Coordinate with the institutional marketing department & the digital media production department to either proof project work or request additional equipment/supplies deemed necessary in video production
- Coordinate with EMU Esports staff to schedule content shoot location, participants, schedule, equipment requirements, and more.
Collaborative Project Responsibilities:
- Attend the CREATIVE staff meeting and Thursday video shoots as scheduled
- Work with the following EMU Esports staff teams to plan, shoot, and edit short form promotional content featuring EMU Esports players, teams, or facilities:
- Digital marketing
- Unscripted broadcasting
- Graphic design
- Attend ESC match days as scheduled
- Relating to the EMU Esports unscripted broadcast (two per week), creatively direct and produce a new segment of the PRE-SHOW. The PRE-SHOW is a 30-minute time slot before official ESC competition days where live or prerecorded material will entertain and or inform the wider EMU community about gaming and gaming culture. New segments will be developed and broadcasted on a rotating cycle assigned to both scripted and unscripted production staff during the competitive season.
Work onsite for at least 5 hours each week. All other hours may be remote if permitted by the nature of work being performed.Hourly Rate: $11.00-12.00 (12-15 hours per week)
Class Credit: 3 hours eligible through DMCJ required internship
- Direct and produce a new entry into one of the following ongoing EMU Esports video series:
Graphic & Visual Design Internship Expand dropdownGraphic Design Responsibilities:
- Attend the CREATIVE staff meeting and Thursday video shoots as scheduled
- Work with other creative team members to produce content in some or all of the following areas:
- Social media posts
- Broadcast 2D graphic overlays
- Broadcast 3D graphic transitions and effects
- Website pages, banners, and buttons
- Fliers and other promotional materials
- Merchandising and outfitting
- Esports facility interior design (ie. Wall graphics, stickers, equipment)
- Create compelling graphics to share across social and physical channels
Work onsite for at least 5 hours each week. All other hours may be remote if permitted by the nature of work being performed.Hourly Rate: $11.00-12.00 (12-15 hours per week)
Class Credit: 3 hours eligible through DMCJ required internship
Marketing & Communications Internship Expand dropdownDigital Marketing Responsibilities:
- Maintain a communications schedule which includes all content to be released on all EMU Esports marketing channels (Discord, social media platforms, and on-campus promos)
- Develop both original and reusable content which can be used on all marketing channels
- Engineer and promote a brand identity for EMU Esports, and its players and teams
- Manage a dedicated marketing budget to further enhance the quality of released content
- Provide EMU Esports management with a detailed monthly marketing report detailing current and previous marketing statistics as well as offering actionable recommendations and analysis
On-Campus Marketing Responsibilities:
- Attend the CREATIVE staff meeting and Thursday photoshoots as scheduled
- Maintain a schedule of EMU Esports staff who will man weekly informational tables in the Student Center
- Arrange the distribution of fliers and other physical marketing materials
- Collaborate with other programs or events on campus to include esports in their public outreach mediums
Media Relations Responsibilities:
- Work with on campus media outlets such as The Eastern Echo to promote the esports program and it’s activities
- Coordinate with the institutional marketing department to publicize press releases or to request coverage
Work onsite for at least 5 hours each week. All other hours may be remote if permitted by the nature of work being performed.Hourly Rate: $11.00-12.00 (12-15 hours per week)
Class Credit: 3 hours eligible through Marketing or Arts & Entertainment Management Co-op elective internship
Community Management Internship Expand dropdownClub Leadership Responsibilities:
- Participate in the leadership and development of gaming clubs through EMU Student Life by some or all of the following methods:
- Become elected as a club executive leadership member
- Become a club member
- Communicate with club student leaders and advisors to initiate and oversee collaborations with EMU Esports.
- Represent EMU Esports resources, interests, and student support initiatives with the EMU student body and wider community.
Tournament Organizing Responsibilities:
- Attend both the CREATIVE and COMPETITIVE staff meetings
- Organize and execute an esports competition utilizing EMU Esports facilities at least twice per semester. Competitions must involve EMU students and its wider community.
- Assist in the organization and execution of EMU Esports regional scholastic invitationals and miscellaneous on site competitions.
Internal Communications Responsibilities:
- Oversee the moderation strategy of the official EMU Esports Discord server.
- Adapt and develop the EMU Esports Discord server to professionally serve the needs of EMU Esports, EMU students, and community members.
ULTIMATE EMU GAMER CHALLENGE:
- NOTE: the Ultimate EMU Gamer Challenge is a year-long raffle to win a number of prizes ranging from shirts to a brand new gaming PC!
- Manage the Ultimate EMU Gamer Challenge by gathering and recording attendance data for relevant events and involvements.
Work onsite for at least 5 hours each week. All other hours may be remote if permitted by the nature of work being performed.Hourly Rate: $11.00 (10 hours per week)
Class Credit: Not available
- Participate in the leadership and development of gaming clubs through EMU Student Life by some or all of the following methods:
E-Athlete Competitive Development Internship Expand dropdownTournament Organizing Responsibilities:
- Attend the COMPETITIVE staff meeting
- Organize and execute an esports competition utilizing EMU Esports facilities at least twice per semester. Competitions must involve EMU students and its wider community.
- Assist in the organization and execution of EMU Esports regional scholastic invitationals and miscellaneous on site competitions.
Athlete Success Coaching Responsibilities:
- Meet with individual EMU Esports varsity and junior varsity athletes to further enable and evaluate their out-of-game personal success. These meetings will follow a designed conversation template approved by EMU Sports Management Faculty.
- Provide EMU Esports management with monthly reports on the outcomes of above meetings highlighting related data and trends whilst also providing actionable organizational recommendations to improve athlete success out-of-game.
Recruitment Evaluations Responsibilities:
- Attend and participate in discovery-level recruitment calls to interview prospective freshmen and transfer talent with Team Managers. Participation in these calls will relate to answering questions about student life and success in college.
Work onsite for at least 5 hours each week. All other hours may be remote if permitted by the nature of work being performed.Hourly Rate: $11.00 (10 hours per week)
Class Credit: Can satisfy either the 60 or 450 hour required Sports Management internship
Recruitment & Team Manager Expand dropdownRecruitment Responsibilities (via hourly rate):
- Attend the COMPETITIVE staff meeting
- Assist the Esports Coordinator in communicating with recruitment prospects as to introduce them to the EMU Esports community
- Man weekly informational tables on campus to inform the general EMU student body of esports program activities and opportunities
Team Management Responsibilities (via $1000.00 scholarship):
- Oversee and report on the quality of coaching, and coaching decisions, provided to the roster
- Ensure their team meets the following practice and competition expectations:
- Minimum 10 hours of team practice per week
- Minimum competition via regular season matches
- Accommodate and support competitive rosters in administrative activities not directly related to the act of competing itself. This includes activities such as:
- Communicating with tournament organizers and other EMU Esports staff
- Arranging any necessary travel logistics including transportation, accommodations, and dining
- Ensuring competitively viable practice and competition environments
- Regularly gauging team productivity, culture, and overall health
Work onsite for at least 2 hours each week. All other hours may be remote if permitted by the nature of work being performed.Hourly Rate: $11.00/hr (6 hours per week) + $1000 competitive scholarship
Class Credit: Not available
Individual Annual Accolades
Each award will be presented as a jersey printed with the recipient’s name and in-game name framed with an internal plaque detailing the award and its recipient. Furthermore, the awards will be displayed in the EMU Esports facility for the next Fall and Winter semester to then be permanently given to the recipient.
The Most Improved Player award is intended to recognize a player who developed significantly over the previous Fall and Winter seasons. Whether this development is found in their skill-level or their teamwork, individual growth in an official EMU Esports competitive roster (varsity, junior varsity) is what qualifies top candidates.
Nominators
- Coaching Staff
- Varsity Players
- Junior Varsity Players
Selection
Esports Coordinator
Recipients
24' - Anson "Astrosmash" Eberle
The Most Valuable Player award is intended to recognize a player who was a leading factor in their team’s successes during the Fall and Winter seasons. Whether their performance in game or out of game was pivotal, their success in an official EMU Esports competitive roster (varsity, junior varsity) is what qualifies top candidates.
Nominators
- Coaching Staff
- Varsity Players
- Junior Varsity Players
Selection
Esports Coordinator
Recipients
24' - Nicholas "GXTES" Warren-Green
The Creative Innovation award is intended to recognize a student employee who brought new and valuable ideas or systems to EMU Esports. Work over both Fall, Winter, and Summer semesters may be considered to qualify a top candidate.
Nominators
Student Staff
Selection
Esports Coordinator
Recipients
24' - Sri "GenAverage" Vakulabharanam
The professional leadership award is intended to recognize a student employee who exhibited high level leadership skills as a complement to or in the absence of EMU Esports professional staff. Work over both Fall, Winter, and Summer semesters may be considered to qualify a top candidate.
Nominators
Student Staff
Selection
Esports Coordinator
Recipients
24' - David "House" Yuhaus
Named after the esteemed EMU alumni and founder of Gamers Outreach, Zach Wigal, the Wigal “Play” Award is intended to recognize an EMU student, staff, or faculty member who does good work through play. Throughout their life and in their involvement with EMU Esports, top candidates are individuals who embody the ideals of joy, kindness, and perseverance. Acting as a reflection of the Gamers Outreach mission to promote healing through play, this individual brings out the best in those around them.
Nominators
- Any EMU student
- Staff
- Faculty member
Selection
Popular vote
Recipients
24' - Owain "Glavon" Kert
Expand Your Network
Connecting with EMU Esports can give you the chance to connect with many top gaming and or esports organizations. Take advantage of awesome opportunities such as earning high paying contract work, attending major conventions, and receiving exclusive event access to world-class LANS!
Pictured is Owain "Glavon" Kert and Hunter "Silverbee" Harrison on their 2023 trip to work for a week in Cincinnati. They supported a Gamers Outreach gaming event in a local children's hospital and explored the city on their off time!