A student club-operated lounge in the student center supporting competitive & casual gaming

Located in Student Center Room 330, Seattle University’s Esports Lounge opened on February 23, 2023, marking the culmination of years of student-led development. The concept originated in 2018 as the capstone project of a former Esports and Gaming Club president and was gradually realized through collaboration between student teams and University Recreation (UREC).

The space includes 12 high-performance gaming PCs alongside two Xbox consoles and two Nintendo Switch stations, configured for both casual and competitive use. Access is open to all Seattle U students on a drop-in basis, with each session limited to 90 minutes during peak usage to ensure broad participation.

Lounge is actively managed by UREC staff and heavily supported by the Seattle U Esports & Gaming Club (SUEG)—the university’s largest student-run club with over 800 members. SUEG fields teams in Valorant, CS:GO, Overwatch, Rocket League, League of Legends, Apex Legends, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, participating in NACE competitions and offering tiered skill-level squads to uphold inclusivity.
Pinned as an intentional third space for gaming culture, the lounge hosts everything from casual Jackbox or Mario Kart meetups to regular Valorant or Overwatch scrims. It emphasizes community-building through in-house tournaments and social events where students connect on and off the digital field.

Despite launching during the pandemic era, the lounge has become a consistent campus fixture. Regular visitation tracks at 70–100 students per day, with integration between the club’s Discord server, campus recreation announcements, flyers, and streaming watch parties to promote engagement. Importantly, the lounge is not just for experienced gamers—newcomers are welcomed, with staff and veteran club members on hand to orient and assist. Users with limited access to gaming equipment appreciate the lounge’s inclusive access model: controllers and keyboards are available upon request and no prior setup is required.

Overall, Seattle U’s Esports & Gaming Lounge is a purpose-built, welcoming, and evolving campus fixture. It balances structured competition with recreational play, supports both varsity and casual gaming communities, and fosters a vibrant social environment at the heart of Seattle University’s campus culture.

Gaming at a glance:
📍 901 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122 (Chinook Student Center)
🕒 Weekly events & drop‑in play (check club schedule)
💻 Consoles + PCs; club supports competitive play & watch parties
🏆 Hosts intramural tournaments, social & varsity‑level events
💲 Free to Seattle U students via club membership
🎯 Great for social gamers and campus esports community

📞 +1 (206) 296‑6000
📧 esports@seattleu.edu
🌐 website