UTICA, N.Y. – SUNY Polytechnic Institute is now a member of the Eastern College Athletic Conference, offering students an opportunity to participate in esports.

SUNY Poly's adoption of esports was supported by sophomore Joseph Center, a computer and information science major, who has been involved with esports competitions for nearly a decade.

"Not everyone is as interested in traditional sports as they are in esports games, so it definitely attracts a different type of person, especially at a technology-driven institution," he said. "Esports have many of the same aspects as traditional sports, particularly for people who are looking for an environment that still offers competition."

Games offered for the spring semester include Fortnite, Overwatch, FIFA, League of Legends, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Hearthstone and Rocket League.

The first-ever collegiate esports arena in the State University of New York system was opened recently, in 2018, at SUNY Canton.