PEORIA MAGAZINE August 2023
Travis Langenbach is manager of Arena Esports in Morton, while wife Lynn is owner of the game arcade
Esports is a recruiting tool for Wes leyan, said Kennedy. It attracts students who otherwise wouldn’t consider the school among their college choices. “One of the great things about esports is they’re accessible for everyone. Many of our players are not athletic,” she said. The focal point of Illinois Wesleyan’s esports program is the state-of-the-art, two-floor Esports Arena that features the Coliseum competition space, akin to a college football stadium. GAMES BOTH OLD SCHOOL AND NEW SCHOOL Back in Morton, Arena Esports originally opened in late 2020 with different ownership and was located across the street at 318 S. Main. The original Arena Esports owner sold the business to Travis and Lynn La genbach, owners of The Confectionary, a popular Morton bakery, after closing Arena Esports in early 2022 because of a dispute with the landlord. The new Arena Esports opened late last year in the former Dejure Formal Wear & Bridal, which had occupied the space for more than 30 years. Arena Esports is not just for esports players. The company bills itself on its
There were 45 varsity esports players at Illinois Wesleyan last school year. It was a diverse group from across the globe. Varsity and club esports players came from 30 states (including Alaska and Hawaii) and four countries (Brazil, Chile, China and South Korea) and had 30 different majors. The university reported that 38% of its varsity esports players came from racial, gender or sexual orientation minorities. They competed against 145 schools and played 286 matches during fall and spring seasons. Varsity esports players traveled to 13 in-person events in the Midwest, and competed in several online leagues including the National Esports Collegiate Conference. ‘THEY’RE ACCESSIBLE FOR EVERYONE. MANY OF OUR PLAYERS ARE NOT ATHLETIC’ — Cory Kennedy Launched in 2020, the conference sponsors regular-season and post season competition in several games for more than 300 schools. Conference officials boast that it serves the esports gaming community with respect and provides a “safe and inclusive environment” for gamers.
website as a “modern spin on the classic arcade with a coffee shop experience.” Children above age 9 can be dropped off and stay as long as they’re well behaved. Birthday parties and other social events can be held there. There’s a variety of pricing plans, ranging from $10 per hour for a PC, console or virtual reality set to an all day pass for $30 for all activities, with a half-hour of virtual reality included. Time loaded into an account can be used anytime. Downstairs are old school games: air hockey, foosball, ske-ball, shuffleboard, darts, arcade games and a nearly 100-year-old pool table, complete with a new cloth, from Lynn Langenbach’s grandfather’s tavern. Snacks and refreshments are available. Hours at Arena Esports are noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, with Sunday available for events. Arena Sports’ website is 309arena.com.
Steve Stein is a longtime Peoria area print journalist
JULY 2023 PEORIA MAGAZINE 35
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