On Monday, March 3, the Lakewood community welcomed Ethlete Lab Academy, a space designed with young gamers in mind that views gaming as more than just fun—it’s an opportunity to connect, compete and grow.
Abby Ayers (co-founder and COO) and Michael Newton (co-founder and CEO) own the E-sports hub, inspired by Michael’s experience as Head Coach of the Golden State Warriors Affiliate eSports team, which he led to victory in the 2023 NBA 2KL Championship. They wanted to create a place for young people with varying interests to hang out. “[We] want to provide a safe space for kids where they’re able to grow and they’re able to connect with their peers,” Newton said.
After two and a half years of development, the academy promises an unforgettable experience. Upon entering, visitors see the main room, which features “twenty cyber-powered PCs with 144-hertz monitors,” said Newton. The main gaming floor is for anyone wanting to drop in for a few hours and play some games.
To the left, a small café, training room, and two streaming pods offer additional amenities. The café serves as a hangout spot for patrons and can be used to host birthday parties. While the café does have a vending machine, outside food is also welcome. “If kids want to bring Cane’s or Ohio City Burrito into the café and hang out, they can do that while watching on our 55-inch TV,” Newton added.
The streaming pods, equipped with soundproof padding and a single PC, provide a personal gaming experience, content creation space, or study area, while the training room offers classes designed to offer creativity, critical thinking and collaboration. “We host classes, Monday through Friday; they’re 50-minute interactive classes,” Newton said, “They’re getting this education with the hopes of building interest in growing STEM careers.”
After passing through the main gaming room, visitors reach the office. “Our office has a glass window to show full transparency of what we do,” Newton said. Next to the office is the lounge, featuring two 65-inch TVs, a PlayStation 5, an Xbox, and two Nintendo Switches. With double-tiered cushion seating, this area serves as a relaxed space for all.
The academy offers a variety of games to appeal to diverse interests, highlighting the inclusivity of the space. “We get some kids who come in and like Fortnite and Roblox, and then we get some kids who enjoy Valorant and League of Legends,” said Newton.
Despite being open for just a month, the lab has already attracted regular visitors, including Saint Edward’s student Luke Urban. “It’s a cool space…a lot of fun stuff to do,” said Urban. “It’s just a nice place to hang with friends and family. It has a nice vibe.” Urban prefers the space at Ethlete Lab Academy to his setup at home. “There’s more options here,” Urban said. “On my home computer, I don’t have as much storage space. With the computers here, I can just play any game I want to play.”
Ethlete Lab Academy also provides many opportunities for students at Lakewood High School. Business management student Youssef Rauwf is an intern there. “I just really try to think about ways to advertise the business,” said Rauwf. “We’re trying to advertise it all the way to Avon.” Rauwf emphasized that the Esports hub is for everyone, not just gamers. “High schoolers can go and hang out somewhere new. You don’t have to come here just to game. You can really just socialize. You can even come in here and just study and do homework,” said Rauwf.
Ayers and Newton are also working on a collaboration with Lakewood High’s Abby Kovach and Abriana Heinz, co-hosts of the podcast The Archives. The team will partner on Ethlete’s own podcast, More Than a Gamer, which focuses on the social and emotional benefits of gaming. “I’ve seen how games have impacted my own life,” said Kovach. “I’m excited to reach out to others who have used gaming to improve their quality of life.”
“It’s inspiring to see people so passionate about giving back,” said co-host Abriana Heinz. “Abby and Michael are so excited to start this initiative, reach as many people as possible, bridge the gap, and make a real difference.”
Ethlete Lab Academy invites Lakewood citizens of all ages to “explore the academy” and enjoy this innovative space. “If and when you bring your kid to Ethlete Lab Academy, you can rest assured that we will invest in your kid no matter what it is they want to do,” Newton said. “We got winners.”
