Esports Lounge – Southern Oregon University’s Gaming Hub

The SOU Esports Arena is Southern Oregon University’s dedicated gaming and competitive esports facility, serving students, staff, and community guests. Inside the Student Recreation Center—just east of Raider Stadium and McLoughlin Hall—SOU’s Esports Arena, fondly nicknamed “The Hub,” hosts the heartbeat of gaming on campus. Established in 2020, it offers a polished and inclusive gaming space for both varsity-level teams and casual visitors alike.

It’s designed for both casual drop-in play and varsity team practice, equipped with high-performance PCs, console stations, and a professional esports environment. The arena supports SOU’s official varsity esports teams and hosts a variety of games including Valorant, League of Legends, Overwatch 2, and Rocket League. It also offers student-run events, tournaments, and community engagement programs.

The Hub is equipped with 12–13 Alienware stations, each outfitted with high-quality peripherals, gaming chairs, controllers, headsets, and powerful PCs—designed for comfort, competition, and social play. It serves as the practice arena for competitive gaming squads, the setting for intramural contests, and a drop-in lounge open to all SOU students (access is included with SRC membership).

Beyond the physical space, SOU integrates esports into academic and professional development. Through the Esports Management minor, students explore industry essentials like marketing, event planning, ethics, and promotion—all within a curriculum that supports both competitive and creative career paths.

SOU Esports Arena at a glance:
📍 1250 Siskiyou Blvd, Ashland, OR 97520 (Lithia Motors Pavilion)
⏰ Open Mon–Fri (hours vary by academic schedule; see SOU Recreation site)
💻 High-end gaming PCs, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch
🎮 Varsity team practices, intramural tournaments, casual gaming
💵 Free for enrolled students; guest passes available for community players
👥 Collegiate, inclusive, and community-friendly environment

📞 (541) 552-8405
📧 campusrec@sou.edu
🌐 website