Two Libraries Esports working groups receive NC State IT Community Awards

Libraries IT team staff gathers at the awards ceremony

Back row, left to right: David Woodbury, Dustin Duckwall, Beatrice Richardson, Ryan Hunter, and Shawn Dunning. Front row, left to right: Christina Riegel, Jill Sexton, Brandy Briggs, Dr. Marc Hoit, Konteh Farrar, and Stephen Neal.

The Esports Pilot Project Team and the NC State Gaming and Esports Lab Technology Subgroup shared the Extraordinary Team Impact Award at the fifth annual NC State IT Community Awards. These awards recognize teams and individuals who have made a significant collaborative impact within the IT community. Nominees were recognized on Wednesday, Jan. 31 at the closing session of the 2024 IT Community Event.

The Gaming and Esports Lab at the Hunt Library
The Gaming and Esports Lab at the Hunt Library.

This Extraordinary Team Impact Award recognizes a high-functioning team that has facilitated, promoted, or advanced the university’s goals, mission, vision, and values through its collaborative project-focused efforts. This team included representatives from the NC State University Libraries, the College of Engineering, OIT, and the College of Natural Resources. 

Currently housed in the new Gaming and Esports Lab in the Hunt Library, NC State Esports has the potential to be among the premier collegiate esports programs in the nation, providing opportunities for teaching and career development, research, partnerships, and community engagement. The work of the Gaming and Esports Lab Technology Subgroup has been crucial to laying a strong foundation for the technology that will support this ambitious program and delivering the performance required by competitive gamers while using safeguards to protect the campus network. 

The subgroup was responsible for developing the computer hardware and software infrastructure in the NC State Gaming and Esports Lab—a model that will be used for the future esports arena in Mann Hall. Staff members recognized with this award include:
 

  • Brandy Briggs
  • Dustin Duckwall
  • Shawn Dunning
  • Mike Eldgridge
  • Konteh Farrar
  • Lara Fountaine
  • Ryan Hunter
  • Colin Keenan
  • Kaitlin Kehnemuyi
  • Christian McKay
  • Stephen Neal
  • Colin Nickels
  • Beatrice Richardson
  • Christina Riegel
  • Steve Sanders
  • Jill Sexton
  • Wesley Thibodeaux
  • David Woodbury