SCC Introduces Competitive Esports
SCC is pleased to announce the first season of competitive esports. With 28 students competing in the games of Overwatch, Fortnite, Rocket League, Valorant, League of Legends, and Super Smash Brothers, students saw their first National Junior College Athletic Association competition on February 14.
Esports meets in the recently redesigned Technology Building. The cutting-edge gaming center doubles as a classroom, where students learn animation and gaming technology. It is equipped with the latest Alienware computers, 75-inch display monitors, gaming chairs, and power lift tables.
“Esports offers career opportunities in technology, business and marketing,” said Rex McKanry, Dean. “It encourages teamwork, critical thinking and strategic problem-solving skills that translate into future success for our students. It also enriches our academics in various areas. For example, computer science students can learn game development, theater and communication students can take the role of esports casters, multimedia students make and edit game play video, music students can create introductions, and more.”
Esports Head Coach James Lewallen started at SCC in November 2024 with a background in esports coaching and cycling coaching.
Esports joins SCC’s other official NJCAA sports (Baseball, Softball, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, and Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Track and Field).
The National Junior College Athletics Association Esports (NJCAAE) serves two-year, technical, and community colleges in collegiate esports. Over 200 institutions across North America participate in activities and competitions each year. NJCAA Esports hosts esports and gaming activity through two tiers of competitive regular seasons split by Divisional formats.
SCC is starting at NJCAA’s tier 3 level of activity, where anyone you consider a part of your community can enjoy playing. The college hopes to move to tier 2 in the near future.
The students competing in the first season are: Deven Ball, John Borzillo, Dylan Cakalic, Russel Conner, Eli Dawson, Randy Freeborn, William Freeborn, Jesus Gutierrez, Jon Howell, Nicholas Howell, Harper Jones, Andrew Kinnunen, Dylan Klein, Paige Mesler, Maleah Moore, Ashley Montanaro, Antonio Pratas, Zoe Risley, Lauren Roberson, Jonah Shoemaker, Logan Riley, Shade Roper, Bellasophia Smith, Jeff Saylor, Georgio Tsahiridis, Pippin Wolf, Michael Bankhead, and Baki Acu.
Zoe Risley, SCC student athlete, said, “I joined the SCC team to improve my level of play, meet people, and possibly even qualify for a scholarship when I transfer to a four-year university.” Risley plans to pursue a career as a UX designer and is taking multimedia classes at SCC.
For more information, contact Lewallen at jlewallen@stchas.edu.
