ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – The esports center at Rockford University (RU) has been renamed and revitalized due to the kindness of an RU alum. The Regents’ hub of advanced gaming systems and custom peripherals is now referred to as the Zelenka Family Esports Center to pay tribute to Janet Zelenka and her family. Michael Landi, […]
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – The esports center at Rockford University (RU) has been renamed and revitalized due to the kindness of an RU alum.
The Regents’ hub of advanced gaming systems and custom peripherals is now referred to as the Zelenka Family Esports Center to pay tribute to Janet Zelenka and her family.
Michael Landi, co-director of esports, emphasized the family’s consistent support for the center. “They have provided immense financial and emotional backing, and everything else,” Landi stated. “They’ve been the catalyst for the esports initiative here at Rockford University.”
Esports began at RU in the fall of 2019 with only a few computers. Formerly known as “The Esports Lab,” the space was a simple line of computers equipped with purple LED lighting and RU-themed mousepads. Due to the Zelenka family’s unwavering support and promotion of esports, the “lab” has evolved into a fully functional competitive arena featuring 16 state-of-the-art gaming PCs, equipment, and more. That once humble purple illumination from LEDs is now encased within glass walls and doors.
Landi noted that the Zelenka family’s assistance enhances the teams’ performance. The computers are equipped with top-tier components available, and the glass walls offer some desired privacy and tranquility. The added transparency creates a calm and inviting atmosphere for other students interested in competing or simply gaming.
Kanye Murphy and Isaac Grant, both first-year students (and football players) at RU, discovered the esports center one evening when they experienced a power outage and sought refuge. Even after power was restored, they returned for the peaceful, quiet environment that allowed them to enjoy gaming comfortably.
Murphy appreciates the calming ambiance and stress relief provided by the facility. “Finals can be quite anxiety-inducing. Engaging in a game is a great distraction. I find it a serene way to relax and take my mind off responsibilities.”
The sense of community within RU’s esports program is largely thanks to the Zelenka family’s belief in its significance and its members.
“Knowing that someone has faith in them and recognizing the importance of esports is essential to campus life at Rockford University, and it’s what brings everyone together.”
Rockford University provides a $2,000 scholarship for students engaged in an esports team. Teams operating under the Regents banner have claimed several championships and titles in their five years of operation. The various squads convene daily, with each participant committing considerable time to their respective teams.
