At IU Indianapolis, gaming isn’t just a pastime — it’s a community, a competition and a movement. The Gamers Hall Club continues to take esports to the next level with major achievements, competitive wins and the introduction of Brooke Bonek, the university’s first esports specialist.
Building an esports legacy
Under President Logan Johnson’s leadership, Gamers Hall has expanded its reach and campus presence. "In conjunction with Campus Recreation, we opened the new Esports Competition Lab in the IT building and are working on a new lounge in the Campus Center," Johnson said.
Gamers Hall isn’t just about competition — it’s about connection. This fall, the club battled in the Playfly College Esports League and brought students together through events during Stress Busters Week, which featured Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros. and plenty of free pizza to keep the energy high. "Gaming is universal," Johnson said. “We have attendees from all schools and majors coming to play for our team or our weekly club meetings.”
Championship titles and a growing community
Gamers Hall’s Valorant team had a standout season, securing a first-place division win. Reflecting on their journey, team member Madilyn Loosle shared, "Our first semester, we got second place after losing in the championship match, and our second semester, we got knocked out in the first round of playoffs. But this past fall, we won the whole division!” She credits the team’s success to their dedication, highlighting their regular scrimmages with other colleges and game reviews to fine-tune their strategy.
Rebuilding and expanding the League of Legends team
For League of Legends player Husniya Jamil, joining Gamers Hall was about blending her passion for gaming with her academic pursuits. "As a game design and development major, I think it’s important to understand what kind of games people love to play," she said.
Jamil also reflected on the challenges of rebuilding after the pandemic. “Most of our current officers are volunteers, and they worked hard with the school to rebuild the club to where it is today. Without them, we wouldn’t have had any esports teams last year."
Enter Brooke Bonek: IU Indy’s first esports specialist
As Gamers Hall gained momentum, the university took a major step forward by welcoming Brooke Bonek as its first esports specialist. A Ball State alum, Bonek brings years of leadership experience, having served as president of Cardinal Esports and production lead for their varsity esports program.
"My main responsibility is facilitating esports on IU Indy’s campus through events and programs," Bonek explained.
"I supervise two spaces: the Esports Competition Lab in ICTC 131, which is exclusive to Gamers Hall teams, and the Esports Lounge that will replace the Game Room in the Campus Center. I also supervise student staff and advise the Gamers Hall student organization, helping them organize teams, events and more."
What inspired her? "When I got involved with esports production and the esports club at Ball State University, I enjoyed it so much. I had so much fun doing it and wanted to continue through a career," Bonek said.
For Bonek, the best part of the job is supporting students. "Seeing how much work they put into practices and matches and watching them succeed makes me happiest," she said.
One of her biggest priorities is launching the Esports Lounge, which she hopes will bring esports and gaming closer to student life. "I can’t wait for students to experience esports and video gaming in their daily lives," she added.
What’s next for Gamers Hall?
With new facilities, passionate students and dedicated leadership, Gamers Hall is poised for an exciting future. Brooke Bonek is ready to support their journey. "I strive for the organization and the students to thrive in the future," she said. As esports continues to grow as an industry, Gamers Hall is set to create even more opportunities for students to connect, compete and succeed at IU Indianapolis and beyond.