Collegiate esports is a full academic institution now. Protect the hardware that powers it.
What started with a handful of programs has grown into one of the fastest-growing segments of higher education, with over 280 college programs, $50 million in scholarships, and dedicated degree pathways. But building and running an esports facility means protecting expensive, shared hardware from theft and damage every day. Here is what the programs look like, and how to keep your facility’s equipment secure.
The growth of collegiate esports
This is not a passing trend. Programs now span community colleges, regional universities, and major research institutions, creating competitive opportunities for students at every level. Idaho State University broke ground on a new $520,000 esports arena in fall 2025. The National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) is the primary governing body and publishes regular data on program growth, scholarships, and participation.
Scholarships and career pathways
The average esports scholarship ranges from $1,000 to $6,000 per year, with elite programs offering full-ride packages. Institutions like Harrisburg University offer top recruits up to $19,000 per year. The career pipeline emerging from these programs spans far more than professional gaming:
Event management, broadcast coordination, and live production for competitive gaming events at every level.
Engineering, design, and narrative roles at game studios, with esports programs feeding talent directly into the industry.
Streaming, commentary, social media management, and video production — one of the fastest-growing career categories in the esports ecosystem.
Brand partnerships, digital marketing, and fan engagement roles as major brands increase investment in competitive gaming.
Coaching, program administration, and facility operations roles that are growing alongside the number of programs themselves.
Shenandoah University, Boise State, Oklahoma State, Full Sail, and others now offer dedicated degrees in esports management alongside their competitive programs.
Where esports hardware lives on campus
State-of-the-art facilities purpose-built for competitive play, practice, and streaming. These represent the largest hardware investments and the highest-profile security requirements.
Publicly accessible gaming areas in student centers and unions. High-traffic, minimal overnight supervision, and one of the most common environments for controller and console theft.
Gaming stations alongside traditional rec equipment. Open-access environments where consoles serve a wide and rotating population of students throughout the day.
Shared gaming in dorms and apartment-style residence halls. Limited staff presence overnight makes physical security the primary protection layer.
The hardware security challenge
Building an esports program means more than recruiting talented players. It means equipping and protecting facilities that hold up to heavy daily use by hundreds of students, often in shared, public-facing spaces where anyone can walk in. Without proper security, programs face replacement costs that hit already tight budgets, and missing equipment takes stations offline when students need them.
Security products for esports facilities
Secure Entertainment has been designing anti-theft security hardware for institutional gaming environments for over 15 years, covered under US Patent 11,103,796. Every product lets students game normally while giving facility managers the confidence that hardware stays where it belongs. These are the products most commonly deployed in collegiate esports facilities:
The most common console in competitive esports programs. Crystal-clear CAGE case plus controller tether keeps both the console and DualSense locked to the station.
Game Pass provides hundreds of titles without individual purchases, ideal for facilities that need a broad rotating library for open-access gaming rooms.
Ideal for student lounges and recreation center game rooms alongside competitive setups. Family-friendly titles make it accessible to a wider student population.
Equipping a full esports room or multiple stations across your campus? We offer volume pricing for multi-unit orders. Contact us to discuss quantities and configuration.
The cost of not securing it
An esports program operating on a university budget cannot absorb repeated hardware replacement. Here is the math on a single PS5 station over one year, assuming one console and two controllers lost:
Replacement costs based on typical 2026 retail pricing. Product prices as listed on our store. Confirm current prices before purchase. Volume pricing available for multi-unit orders.
How to set up a secured esports station
Use our console security lookup tool to match the exact case to your console model. Each case is purpose-built for a specific system. Cases ship within 2–3 business days.
Install the CAGE™ case with four standard Phillips-head wood screws to a desk, shelving unit, or wall-mounted surface. See our installation guides for each model. No special tools required.
The controller bracket installs with a tamper-resistant screw (included bit provided). Route the 10ft cable for continuous charging. Students can game at full range of motion without removing the tether.
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We have worked with programs of all sizes and can recommend the right products for your specific facility. We work directly with institutions and can accommodate purchase orders.