Frequently Asked Questions

Learn all about our program and how to get involved in the FAQs below.

How do I join the Point Park esports program?

Whether you’re an incoming freshman, transfer student or a current Point Park student, the best way to get involved is to contact our esports Program Director, Christopher Gaul. You can reach him at his email at cgaul@pointpark.edu or through his Discord at CoachSpicy.

We currently compete in Rocket League, Valorant, and League of Legends, and we’re always looking for players, both starters and substitutes, as well as content creators, broadcasters and behind-the-scenes contributors.

What games does the program compete in?

We currently compete in Rocket League, Valorant, and League of Legends.

Minimum Rank Requirements

While we evaluate each player holistically, our general competitive rank guidelines are:

Rocket League: Diamond or higher
Valorant: Platinum or higher
League of Legends: Gold or higher

Not quite there yet? No problem! Players who are passionate and coachable are always welcome to reach out.

We’re also exploring new titles to add in the future, so stay tuned!

What league does Point Park Esports compete in?

We compete in the NACE Starleague, operated by Playfly Esports, one of the largest collegiate esports leagues in North America.

Each season runs once per semester, with teams placed into divisions of 8 schools. Teams play a round-robin regular season, followed by a playoff bracket based on standings.

Our program is gaining momentum, just this past season, our Rocket League team earned the #2 playoff seed and went on to win their division. Read the full championship recap here.

Does Point Park esports offer scholarships?

Yes! We offer esports scholarships to incoming freshmen and transfer students who join the program, whether as competitive players or crew members (e.g., content creators, graphic designers, broadcasters, etc.). All incoming students are considered for scholarships.

Awards are based on both skill, enthusiasm for the program, experience and/or your potential contribution. Scholarships awarded through esports will be combined with your existing Point Park Aid package.

For more details or to be considered for a scholarship, contact our Program Director at cgaul@pointpark.edu or fill out our Request for Information form.

How do tryouts and practices work at Point Park esports?

We host tryouts at the start of each semester to determine team placements and evaluate new talent. Tryouts are open to both incoming students and current Point Park students.

Once teams are set, players are expected to participate in weekly practices, scrimmages and VOD reviews. These sessions are structured to help players grow individually and synergize with their fellow teammates.

We’re looking for players who are not only skilled but also committed, coachable and ready to contribute to the team and program.

What careers can esports prepare me for?

Esports can open the door to a wide range of careers both in gaming and in broader digital media industries. While some students compete as athletes, others build valuable experience in areas like:

Social media management
Video and broadcast production
Content creation and editing
Shoutcasting and live commentary
Event coordination and team operations

Our program gives students hands-on opportunities in these areas, and incoming freshmen and transfers may qualify for scholarships based on their role and contributions, even if they aren’t players.

Can I work in esports production, shoutcasting or social media if I’m not a player?

Absolutely! You don’t need to be a competitive player to join the program. We have a dedicated crew that works behind the scenes in areas like:

Broadcast production
Shoutcasting and commentary
Social media management
Video editing and content creation

If you're passionate about any of these areas, you’ll have access to the tools, mentorship, and real-world experience needed to build your skills and even qualify for a scholarship as a contributor to the program.

Where is the esports arena located?

The Esports Arena is located on the second floor of the Student Center, just to the left of the main lounge area.

Access to the arena is card-restricted, and permission is granted by the Esports Program Director. Only active team members or approved contributors can enter the space.

Can students use the esports space for casual gaming?

Right now, access to our esports space is limited to students who are officially part of the program, either as athletes or crewmembers.

Those in the program can use the space daily from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. with card access. It’s available for casual gaming, competitive practice, schoolwork or content creation.

What software and tools do crewmembers use in the Point Park esports program?

Our esports program provides crewmembers with access to industry standard software and tools to build real-world skills in content creation and broadcast production.

This includes:

Adobe Creative Cloud (Premiere Pro, Photoshop, After Effects) for video editing, graphics and motion design
OBS Studio for live streaming and broadcast management
Professional hardware, such as the Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Pro G2 and Rode microphone products to ensure high-quality video and audio production

These resources give our team hands-on experience working with professional-grade platforms and equipment, preparing students for careers in esports media, digital content and beyond.

What kind of equipment and peripherals do players use?

Point Park esports athletes train and compete using state-of-the-art gaming setups designed for peak performance.

Each station includes:

27-inch, 144Hz monitor
Intel i7-9700k processor
NVIDIA RTX 2080 Ti graphics card
32GB of RAM

This ensures smooth gameplay and fast response times for our athletes to meet competitive gaming standards. Whether practicing or competing, our teams have access to hardware that meets the demands of today’s top-tier esports titles.

Where can I watch Point Park esports content and follow the program online?

You can stay connected with Point Park esports across several platforms:

YouTube: Watch full match streams as soon as they drop and stay tuned for exclusive content!
Twitch: Catch our live broadcasts as our teams compete against other colleges in real time!
Spotify: Listen to our original podcast featuring crewmembers and athletes discussing all things esports, on and off the game.
Social Media: Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for the latest news, updates, and behind-the-scenes content.
Discord: Join our community to chat with team members, ask questions and stay informed about events and opportunities. You can contact our Program Director Chris on Discord at CoachSpicy to be invited.

Follow and subscribe to get the full experience and never miss a moment!

Do I need experience to join Point Park esports?

Not at all! Whether you’re a seasoned player or just passionate about gaming, media, or esports production, there’s a place for you here.

We value coachability, kindness and a willingness to learn. If you’re ready to grow your skills, we’re ready to help you get started.

Reach out to our Program Director, Christopher Gaul, at cgaul@pointpark.edu or on Discord at CoachSpicy

Are there internship or practicum opportunities through the esports program and can they count for credit or scholarships?

Yes! Students involved in Point Park esports may be eligible for practicums, independent study projects, or even future internships with partnered esports organizations.

Many roles within the program, such as content creation, social media management, and broadcast production, can be structured to earn academic credit through approved practicum hours. In addition, incoming freshmen and transfer students may qualify for scholarships based on their contributions to these areas.

If you're interested in turning your esports involvement into credit or scholarship support, reach out to Program Director Christopher Gaul at cgaul@pointpark.edu or on Discord at CoachSpicy to learn more.

Does Point Park offer courses related to esports or gaming?

Yes, we do! Point Park esports is part of the Center for Experiential Narrative Technologies, otherwise known as CENT, a program focused on blending immersive storytelling with modern technology. Our cornerstone course, CENT 101: Experiential Narrative, introduces students to tools and techniques across gaming, AI, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR).

Taught by our esports Director Christopher Gual and CENT Director Don Marinelli, the course explores how to design interactive, engaging narratives while building foundational skills like creativity, problem-solving, communication and digital literacy. This course is perfect for students interested in esports, game design, and emerging tech industries.

Can high school students schedule a visit or tour?

Absolutely! High school students are welcome to schedule a visit to Point Park University, including options to explore our esports program.

We offer weekday and select Saturday tours, and visits can be customized based on your interests, whether you're focused on academics, esports or both. For more information, visit here.

Who can I contact with more questions about joining the program?

For any questions about joining the Point Park esports program, whether you're interested in competing, joining the production crew, applying for a scholarship, or just learning more, reach out to our Program Director, Christopher Gaul at his email cgaul@pointpark.edu or his Discord at CoachSpicy.

Chris can provide more information about tryouts, scholarships, program roles, and the application process. Don’t hesitate to reach out—he’s here to help you find your place in the program!