Boise State Esports is entering a new era – one built on the foundation of eight years of innovation, growth and competitive excellence. The program is officially graduating from the College of Innovation and Design to become part of Boise State Athletics. What began as a grassroots effort is now a nationally recognized powerhouse – poised to expand its reach, deepen its impact and create even more opportunities for student-athletes in the years ahead.
It all started in 2017, and in the most humble of spaces: a classroom. But it was never a small idea. The program was born from the vision of Chris “Doc” Haskell — and backed by the innovation-focused spirit of the College of Innovation + Design.
Haskell joined forces with Brett Shelton, a professor of educational technology to explore the possibilities of competitive gaming in higher education. Together, they pitched the idea to the College of Innovation and Design. Gordon Jones, then-dean of the college saw the potential immediately — a program true to the college’s mission of investing in the future and building from bold ideas.
With the college’s support, the program launched under the Department of Educational Technology, but transitioned fully to the College of Innovation and Design in 2018, just one year after its founding. The program’s physical journey mirrored its growth. From a shared computer lab in the Education Building, it moved to a temporary home on the second floor of Albertsons Library. Then, in 2019, construction was completed on the now-iconic Boise State Esports Arena.
The downtown arena was originally a shared space with the Venture College. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Venture College shifted to virtual operations and the Esports program expanded to take over the entire arena – marking another key milestone in its growth.
Over the past eight years, Boise State Esports has grown into one of the winningest esports programs in the country. With more than 1,500 competitive matches under its belt, the program boasts multiple national titles, dozens of conference championships and a global reputation for excellence.
Eight Years of Milestones
- 2017: The program launches with a League of Legends match in the Student Union Building. Early broadcasts are run out of Doc Haskell’s office.
- 2018: Boise State enters regular-season play and competes in an exhibition match in Las Vegas against UNLV.
- 2019: The Boise State Esports Arena is completed, welcoming fans and competitors alike.
- 2020: The program thrives despite pandemic disruptions. Boise State becomes one of the first universities to broadcast Valorant.
- 2021: The Broncos enjoy their best season yet, winning the Mountain West and a Madden national championship.
- 2022: Boise State becomes a national powerhouse, claiming championships across the country, especially in Overwatch.
- 2023 (Spring): Boise State competes at worldwide championships and hosts high-profile tournaments on campus.
- 2023 (Fall): A new state-of-the-art broadcast studio is added to the downtown arena. Boise State hosts the NACE Starleague national championships.
- 2024: Multiple teams make it to May Madness finals, bringing home four Mountain West Championships and securing national recognition in Rocket League, Overwatch, Valorant, and CFB25.
An innovation incubator
The College of Innovation and Design has been more than a host – it has been an incubator and accelerator for the esports program. From the very beginning, the college offered the program a home, the flexibility to grow and access to the kind of support needed to thrive in uncharted territory.
In 2017, collegiate esports was still a new idea. Boise State was one of the first universities in the country to take the leap, and the college believed in that vision and invested early. Their support allowed the program to experiment, evolve and ultimately establish stability. The addition of funding from Idaho Central Credit Union allowed the program to begin offering scholarships, creating access for more students to participate.
Today, many universities are trying to replicate what Boise State built. But the College of Innovation and Design was there first – acting as the launchpad for what has become a nationally renowned program. The college’s history of fostering successful initiatives, such as Games, Interactive Media, and Mobile Technology, Human-Environment Systems, and Leadership Certificates, is part of what makes the College of Innovation and Design special. Esports is now the first non-credit-bearing program to successfully “graduate” – a major milestone for the college.
In the past year, the esports program has received institutional support from the president’s office and expanded its professional staff, further cementing its place as a core part of Boise State’s innovation ecosystem.