First Esports Graduates Are Ready to Change the Industry

Three Syracuse University seniors are about to do something no one has done before: graduate with a degree in esports communications and management.

Ryan Blankenhorn ’26, Cole Hilary ’26 and Brianna Nechifor ’26 were drawn to the interdisciplinary program for its blend of sport management, digital media and gaming through classes offered by the Falk College of Sport and the Newhouse School of Public Communications.

They entered with different esports backgrounds—Blankenhorn as an avid gamer, caster and coach, and Hilary and Nechifor producing, directing and supporting the live streaming of varsity esports competitions—and will leave as trailblazers, the first students with an esports degree.

“I came to Syracuse because I wanted to help this esports program grow, which I knew would advance my career at the same time,” says Blankenhorn, who broadcasts Syracuse’s varsity esports competitions. “To be part of the inaugural class that sets the stage for future esports students really means a lot.”

Leading up to Commencement, the trio reflects on making history and shares how the degree will help with their post-graduation career goals.

How special is it to be part of the inaugural esports graduating class?

Ryan Blankenhorn: “I wanted to leave something behind not only as a legacy, but as something that future generations of students can build on what we started. This program required risk-taking, ambition and desire, and while there may only be three of us graduating now, there’s going to be a lot more students graduating in the next four years. I appreciate knowing there are people who are going to continue to grow that foundation.”

Cole Hilary: “This is a conversation starter and will give us a huge leg up. This degree gave all of us so many different skills, from communications to event management and event production, and those skills can easily transfer over to other industries. It’s a valuable degree that will open a lot of doors.”

Brianna Nechifor: “It’s amazing being part of this first class. That’s why I joined, to make a lasting impact. I wanted to take those first steps for students like me who want to make a career out of esports. I wanted to be part of making history. This has been a great experience. I’ll be sad to go but I’m very happy we have left this imprint because esports is a major that offers students so many interesting opportunities.”

How has the esports degree program left a lasting impression on you?

Hilary: “I chose a business focus because I was receiving plenty of hands-on experience on the esports production side and I wanted to balance my skills. The business side has shown me how much I like marketing esports and working with companies to advance esports. Learning how to plan esports events helped me see the field in a different way.”

Nechifor: “When the degree program became a reality, I wanted to gain tangible skills that can carry over to jobs in the fields of sports, esports, traditional entertainment and business management. It has been amazing, building up this program and being part of the first graduating class. I love the direction this program has taken.”

Blankenhorn: “Esports is a relatively new industry. Whether you’re an event organizer, a coach, a student competitor or a caster, you’re constantly going to be changing as the industry evolves. I learned how to become a problem-solver while learning how to stay calm under pressure. This management major helped me understand that things are going to go wrong no matter how thorough your plan is. I’ve learned how to become a leader, someone who knows how to adapt.”

What are your post-graduation plans?

Nechifor: “I’ve accepted a full-time role as a broadcast multi-skilled operator at Gravity Media on assignment with Riot Games. Gravity Media is a remote broadcast center for Riot Games. This is honestly my dream job! I’ll be working in Washington state starting in June, and I cannot wait to make an impact there!”

Blankenhorn: “I’m beginning a master’s in management and human resources program at the University of Tennessee while helping grow Tennessee’s esports program. They’ve had an esports club program for more than a decade, and I want to help Tennessee become the first SEC Division I school to earn varsity esports status.”

Hilary: “I want to run my own production team or serve as a content director for a professional organization. I’ve always enjoyed creating content, and with esports, I love being able to share that content and those stories live with the audience. Being able to tell a story live and use that content to entice and excite people to watch a competition motivates me.”