College esports keeps growing up, and this time the news comes out of Pocatello. Idaho State University has unveiled a state-of-the-art esports arena, finally giving its competitive gaming program a real home instead of whatever spare computer lab it was probably squatting in before.

The program behind the arena has actual credentials too. ISU's esports program has grown from three varsity teams to five, and those squads have already competed and placed on the national stage. Respectable stuff for a program that, like most college esports efforts, probably started as a student club with borrowed monitors and a dream.

If you've watched this space at all, you know the trajectory by now. A decade ago college esports meant a handful of schools fielding teams out of a lecture hall on weekends; now universities are pouring money into dedicated arenas, and my read is that recruitment and scholarships follow the facilities. Every school that builds one of these is making the same bet, that competitive gaming is a permanent part of campus life and not a fad riding the Fortnite wave.

To me the national placements are the most interesting part of the story. A school in Idaho placing nationally says the talent pool isn't limited to the big coastal programs, though I'll admit that's my interpretation and not anything the school is claiming.

Then there's the community angle. I'd expect a facility like this to double as a gathering space for open play and watch events, but again that's speculation on my part, nothing the university has announced. I remember when finding a LAN meant dragging your own tower to someone's garage and praying the switch held up. Kids today get a purpose-built facility. I'm not bitter. Much.

Congrats to the Bengals on the new digs. If the program keeps placing nationally, don't be shocked if other regional schools follow suit.