(Photo courtesy of Benjamin Heffner) “The entrance to the new Rowdy’s Esports Arena in UCrossing”
Benjamin Heffner
Connector Editor
Just in time for the start of spring semester, Rowdy’s Esports Arena, nestled below the entrance to the River Hawk Shop at University Crossing, has officially opened its doors for professional and casual gamers alike.
Graham Gabriele Allen, Associate Director of Student Affairs for Student Center and Gaming Operations, said that the space was largely conceived by the University Crossing team, led by Building and Gaming Operations Director Adam Dunbar.
He said, “we put together a gaming council to talk about what gaming looks like and the possibilities, and he worked together with student leaders and found out that there was opportunity to build a space like this. Initially, the idea for a build was something much smaller than the arena we see today.”
Allen also added that the space was unique, having been reutilized from an old section of the River Hawk Shop where students would pick up their textbooks.
He said, “the bookstore worked with us and specifically when we were examining this space, many different campus partners all collaborated to make sure that we could come in here and use this space for buildout. Our instructional technology (IT) teams have been instrumental, building out our classrooms, and syncing a one-of-a-kind lighting rig with all the peripherals.”
The arena is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. for all UMass Lowell students with a valid UCard.
In addition to gaming PCs, the arena offers console gaming stations, a lounge area and perimeter seating, free rentable peripherals and games, live broadcast and team rooms, and mounted TVs. The gaming PCs, which are custom built, utilize the newest graphic cards and processors currently on the market from companies such as NVIDIA and Intel.
Allen said that the Technology Fee, which is an additional fee as part of student tuition, will go towards paying and maintaining the arena.
He added, “this is meant to be a sustainable space, and we hope that students are able to utilize it for free just by tapping their UCard.”
While the arena is currently focused on open play to garner as much attention as possible, it will eventually become the home for varsity esports starting in Fall 2026, and students are encouraged to suggest as many games as possible.
Allen said, “if folks have interest in playing on teams or particular games, we want them to start reaching out. As it stands currently, the way you would form a varsity team would be to create a club, either for the game or the specific type of game.”
Students who have visited the arena have expressed an overwhelmingly positive response, saying that an experience like this helps them feel more at home on campus.
Davi Ferreira, a freshman Electrical Engineering major, said “the games run well and smoothly, the environment is chill, people can have conversations and be in their own worlds. It’s a free space and we’re able to think and try new things and see what other people are up to.”
