The UNCW Valorant Team clinched the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) Division V championship title on December 4 with a finals win over the University of Michigan. The team ended the season with a 9-1 record.
UNCW’s Rockets League Team also made it to the NECC conference finals, where they lost to Middle State Tennessee University on December 5, finishing the season with an overall record of 8-2.
“This is UNCW’s first conference championship, and I am so proud of how our teams competed this season,” said Ray Pastore, professor of instructional technology at the Watson College of Education and faculty advisor for UNCW esports. “For those unfamiliar with esports, when compared to NCAA divisions for sports, this would be equivalent to winning an NCAA Division 2 sports championship. Pretty exciting!”
UNCW introduced an Esports Club in 2019 for individuals interested in gaming and streaming, and the UNCW Watson College of Education introduced a certificate program in 2020 for students interested in exploring esports career options. The program, offered to both undergraduate and graduate students, was the first of its kind in North Carolina.
In 2022, UNCW’s esports program received $300,000 in funding to elevate teams to varsity status, create paid positions for students, and support a new esports lab located on campus. Today, the esports club boasts 10 competitive teams and a discord with more than 800 members. The club hosts campus and community events, and several alumni of UNCW’s certificate programs are making their mark in the industry.
“When we first talked about bringing esports to UNCW just a few years ago, it was a market differentiator, but now it’s a ‘must have,’ like a recreation center or a food court,” Dr. Pastore said. “There’s not a college without an esports club in North Carolina.”
“Esports has the great benefit of engaging a broad audience,” he said. “Now, only one in 10 students play a high school sport, but nine out of 10 play video games. Our esports club attracts both highly competitive gamers and individuals who just like to play video games, and our certificate program helps them gain industry knowledge, grow their skills and build a portfolio. We are thrilled with the growth and success of esports at UNCW.”
Members of the championship Valorant Team are: Nicholas Crane, a junior majoring in cybersecurity; Owen Nelson, a junior majoring in business analytics; Elliot Neve, a freshman, major still undecided; Broderick Dayalu, a sophomore honors student, majoring in marine biology; and Kavi Miller, a senior majoring in computer science.
Members of the second-place finishing Rocket League Team are: Michael Hearney, a sophomore majoring in business administration/accounting; Christian Folks, a senior majoring in environmental sciences and Charles Ross, a sophomore majoring in nursing.
About Esports at UNCWUNCW’s Esports Club is open to all UNCW students. The group is comprised of both competitive gamers and less experienced recreational players. The club holds weekly meetings and hosts collegiate and community events throughout the academic year. To learn more, visit the UNCW esports website.
UNCW’s Watson College of Education offers an esports certificate program for individuals interested in gaming, streaming and exploring esports career options. Offered through WCE’s Instructional Technology program, esports programs include a 15 credit-hour undergraduate certificate in Esports Performance and Management and an 18 credit-hour graduate certificate in Esports Performance, Management and Leadership. Course content connects four sectors of esports: strategists, organizers, content creators and entrepreneurs. New classes start each semester! For more information visit the UNCW Instructional Technology website.
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