At OU, Esports & Co-Curricular Innovation (ECCI) has expanded far beyond competitive play. Through ECCI, students gain professional experience in production, leadership, media, operations, outreach, and research. Founded by program director Mike “Moog” Aguilar, the program blends applied learning with real project work, giving students opportunities to build skills that translate directly into internships and careers. ECCI now reaches more than a thousand students across disciplines and connects academic learning with hands-on development in a rapidly growing field.
The following Q&A introduces readers to the breadth of opportunities within ECCI and shows how students can turn their interest in gaming, creativity, or technology into meaningful professional pathways.
Q1. What is OU Esports & Co-Curricular Innovation (ECCI)?
OU Esports & Co-Curricular Innovation is a university-supported program within Student Affairs that brings together competitive esports, media production, student leadership, research, outreach, and professional development. It is a space where students gain hands-on experience that connects directly to future careers.
Q2. How is ECCI different from a traditional gaming club?
ECCI is built around applied learning. Students are not only playing games. They are running productions, managing projects, leading teams, supporting research, coordinating events, and working on real initiatives that mirror professional environments.
Q3. Do students have to identify as a “serious gamer” to get involved?
Not at all. Data shows that more than two-thirds of students play some type of game, including mobile games like Candy Crush and Pokémon Go, even if they don’t identify as gamers. Many of the most active roles in ECCI are behind the scenes in media, marketing, production, operations, outreach, research, and leadership. Students from many backgrounds find a place in ECCI without ever competing.
Q4. How does ECCI connect to what students are learning in class?
Students apply classroom knowledge to real projects. Marketing students run campaigns, journalism students work in live production environments, business students support operations and analysis, and creative students build professional portfolios for public audiences.
Q5. Which academic colleges and campus units does ECCI partner with?
ECCI collaborates with multiple academic colleges and campus units across the university, including journalism and mass communication, fine arts, business, engineering, computer science, education, health-related programs, and student support offices. These partnerships help students link academic study with applied experience.
Q6. How does ECCI help students prepare for jobs and internships?
Students graduate with leadership experience, portfolio-ready project work, measurable outcomes, and experience collaborating across teams. This gives them a competitive edge when applying for jobs, internships, or graduate programs.
Q7. Is ECCI only relevant for students pursuing gaming careers?
No. While some students go on to work in esports and gaming, many move into marketing, media production, live even ts, communications, design, education, business, and technology roles.
Q8. What advice would you give a student who is curious about getting involved?
Start by exploring the type of work that excites you, whether it is creative, technical, business-focused, leadership-driven, or research-based. Attend an event, talk with current student leaders, or look for open roles. You do not have to be a hardcore gamer to find a meaningful pathway.
