PHILADELPHIA - s4story -- Opening this fall, Lincoln University students and the surrounding community will benefit from a unique partnership with Metro Esports, a subsidiary of Metro Sports & Entertainment Group, designed to promote the growth and development of students in a collaborative environment.  This facility will foster a wealth of opportunities for student and community development through an esports lounge, programming, and partnership extensions. The esports industry has exceeded the $3 billion mark in annual revenue and is expected to grow exponentially, as esports and gaming provide enrichment, comradery, and professional pathways in the modern world to create opportunities for youth seeking careers in a myriad of industries.

Lincoln University, the nation's first degree-granting historically Black College/University (HBCU), is excited to launch a complete innovation center integrating esports to ensure students have the opportunity to experience a custom STEM curriculum, collaboration opportunities, and state-of-the-art technology. "The Lincoln varsity esports team will also operate out of the facility housed in the Wellness Center on campus and operate as a full-fledged club sport.  Esports is truly a sport in that it requires critical thinking, strategy, problem-solving, and analysis as with other sports," says Lincoln Athletic & Recreation Director, Harry Stinson III.  The evolution of athletic student life will answer the call of an increasingly popular activity and career pathway, meeting student needs both academically and recreationally. Through this partnership, both parties will continue to break boundaries by providing Lincoln University students with short and long-term benefits. In addition, Metro Esports will work with its corporate partners to hire Lincoln students for internship and permanent career opportunities, through coordinated programming allowing students to be integrated into an ecosystem of opportunity.  As a liberal arts institution,  Lincoln prides itself on offering a diverse curriculum and services to its students and partnering with authentic and experienced partners that allow for an infinite connection point for all students on campus, regardless of their discipline.

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In partnership, these organizations will provide students with opportunities to have educational and esports programming, content, and career development.   The gaming facility will offer information, recreation, and revenue to the university and its students. Metro Esports will develop Lincoln's esports team, provide a tech education curriculum, enrich information technology programs, organize event programming including tournaments, and more. Tech education programming offered by Metro Esports results in certifications and STEM accreditation which help the students acquire internships and/or employment opportunities with program partners.  Further, Metro Esports intends to create unique activations for its current partners including Verizon, Microsoft, Twitch, Riot Games, Logitech G, Kidas, and YMCA who among other things provide free game licensure, networking, software, and peripheral gaming equipment to bring the experience to life. Dr. Sam Williams, Director of Lincoln's Lincubator initiative is excited to add esports to enhance the existing programs to engage students and encourage them to discover, innovate and grow with business curriculum, virtual reality, graphic design, pre-production, 3D printing, and more.  "The partnership with Metro is in alignment with our strategy to expose students to the best in technology to prepare them for the workforce via the Lincubator, the University's world-class, state-of-the-art Business and Entrepreneurial Center," says Dr. Williams.

"This space is a long-term commitment and we see this as a central part of our broad offering of co-curricular activities that allows our students to have a permanent space for innovation.  Technology is essential to learning in the 21st century.  If we are working hand in hand with technology and translating the skill sets that are developed, there is greater applicability than recreation or sport, but there are pedagogical implications.  We are interested in seeing how those skills translate to other areas and believe this will become a great research tool from a learning standpoint," says Lincoln University President, Dr. Brenda Allen.

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Additionally, the local community will benefit from the partnership with the integration of summer camps, recruiting events as well as invitations and opportunities to local underserved organizations.  The aforementioned partners will work with Metro Esports and Lincoln University to create educational and economic mobility for the community at large. "This is about helping remove barriers and making information and resources available to curious young minds, no matter their background," says Shaon Berry, Metro Esports, CEO.

The continued dedication of Metro Esports and Lincoln University allows for a reimagined legacy, committed to education, liberation, and leadership.

About Metro Esports & Entertainment Group: WEBSITE

About Lincoln University: Lincoln University Lincubator