The Lyon College Esports Program has secured its first program sponsor, partnering with Techni Sport.

Techni Sport, a gaming chair and gaming accessories company, has provided 15 gaming chairs for Lyon’s new esports arena, which is expected to open this fall.

“It’s exciting to have our first sponsor,” said Esports Coach Austin Lonsert. “Techni Sport believes in us to create a strong program, and I can’t thank them enough.”

The gaming chairs come with adjustable lumbar and neck support, height-adjustable arm rests, and a reclining feature. The “race car” design aims to decrease distractions caused by discomfort, allowing uninterrupted concentration.

The Lyon College Esports Program was the first in Arkansas to become a varsity program, affiliated with the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE). As a varsity program, it is offering scholarships to its players.

The program is also the only collegiate esports program in Arkansas to hire a professional esports player.

Lonsert started his professional career as a paid competitor in 2014 with Blizzard Entertainment’s (BE) Heroes of the Storm. He played with three professional organizations—Lunatik Gaming, SK Gaming, and Cognitive Gaming, where his team ranked No. 3 in North America for Heroes of the Storm—before going on to win BE’s collegiate tournament: Heroes of the Dorm.

If you are interested in the esports program, visit www.lyon.edu/esports.