University of Texas at Dallas Case Study
AVI-SPL helps create a prestigious esports center to attract talent and build community.
Organization
University of Texas at Dallas
Location
Richardson, TX
Market
Higher Education
Solutions
Absen, Chief, Panasonic, Q-SYS, Sennheiser
The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) is a top-ranked public research university with over 30,000 students and a leading collegiate esports program.
Top-tier Esports Program Needed a Space to Match
UT Dallas launched its varsity esports program in 2018. Within its first two years, the team earned two national championships and quickly climbed into the top ten nationwide.
The program began in two converted meeting rooms. As it grew, it moved into a dining hall that quickly filled up. To keep up with demand, the university planned to build a new esports center.
The goal? Create a student-first environment that attracts diamond-level talent, fosters an inclusive community, and reflects UT Dallas’ reputation for innovation.
“Gaming and esports are just part of who we are. They’re in our DNA,” said Dr. Gene Fitch, vice president for student affairs at UT Dallas. “We had students playing in their rooms. We needed to give them a space to connect with each other and the campus.”
Edge-of-Your-Seat Gaming Hub Design
“We wanted something immersive, edgy, and completely different from anything else on campus,” said Dan Goodwin, Director of student union & student union programs. “You walk through a normal hallway and enter another world.”
The center features two primary locations, an outdoor gathering space and an indoor arena. The space features 5v5 competitive gaming stations and a full broadcast studio and control room. In addition to the arena, the interior features small group rooms, a gaming lounge, a lobby, and a shared office.
Henderson Engineers designed the immersive 16,000-square-foot, two-story building, known as Comets LANding. Our AV/UC integration helps transport students into a world built for gaming, competition, and community.
End-to-End AV/UC Integration and Support by AVI-SPL
UT Dallas chose AVI-SPL as its integration partner for its proven on-campus track record and deep esports and next-gen AV/UC systems expertise.
AVI-SPL led system integration, content routing, programming, and commissioning for the facility’s AV technologies to create the otherworldly experience.
Coordinating with Design and Construction Teams
As a new construction project, the esports center required early pre-wiring, AV architect coordination, and collaboration with the general contractor. AVI-SPL worked closely with both organizations to configure AV/UC systems throughout the arena, production room, lounge areas, and outdoor lawn.
“We had a great project engineer who worked with [Henderson Engineers], ensuring a smooth process,” said Blake Overton, AVI-SPL account manager. “Our project management, install, and field commissioning teams knocked it out of the park.”
AV Infrastructure Designed for Performance and Simplicity
The AV infrastructure supports low-latency live broadcasts, multi-source content routing across the facility, and real-time team communication.
Panasonic cameras capture the competitive gaming atmosphere. Live footage moves instantly through NDI encoders to Chief-mounted Panasonic projectors and displays.
Precision-tuned QSC speakers and Sennheiser microphones and headsets round out the gaming experience. The audio equipment captures and distributes every moment of live competition and event commentary.
A Q-SYS control system connects live competition footage and studio broadcasts inside and outside of the space.
An Absen video wall anchors the center’s exterior above the expansive outdoor common area and green space. The video wall features gaming broadcasts and more, so students can host tournament watch parties.
AVI-SPL integrated these technologies to support distinct spaces with different vibes. Indoors, solutions create a high-stakes arena atmosphere. In smaller rooms and the courtyard, tech supports a relaxed, social tone.
Ensuring a Polished Launch and Reliable Operation
AVI-SPL technicians remained on site during the final month before opening to help ensure a polished and seamless launch.
“Our esports staff holds the work in very high regard,” said Goodwin. “When you’re broadcasting a match or running an event, things can’t just mostly work. And they don’t. They work exactly the way they should.”
Comets LANding: A Student-Centric Vision Brought to Life and Built to Scale
Comets LANding, UT Dallas’ new gaming and esports center, quickly became a popular study and hangout space on campus. Within one month of opening, over 2,000 students created user accounts for the new esports center. Even after shifting to a membership model, hundreds of students remained active.
Faculty and staff embraced the space, too. Eighty faculty members, including deans and researchers, attended a soft launch event. Students and faculty filled every gaming station, playing together to celebrate a new campus experience.
“That opening did exactly what we hoped,” said Fitch. “People were yelling and laughing, playing games, and connecting. That’s the experience we wanted to create.”
AVI-SPL’s integration team and services helped UT Dallas create a space that goes far beyond high-end gaming.
The center is a vibrant hub for community, entertainment, and learning.
Production studios and tools double as experiential labs for students pursuing esports and broadcasting careers.
The success of the esports center set the stage for UT Dallas’ next transformation: a complete student union rebuild. This time, the university is turning to AVI-SPL for design and integration.
“We’re not AV experts. But we knew what kind of experience we wanted,” said Goodwin. “AVI-SPL helped us turn that vision into something real—and future-ready.”
Considering building an esports arena that has the power to build community and draw students and athletes to your campus? Let’s chat!
Whether you’re designing an arena, need tech integration assistance, or want ongoing AV/UC support, our experts are ready to guide you through every step.
Project Partners
