In a remarkable debut for North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s esports program, the Aggie Esports Rocket League team has secured its first national title, finishing the season with a perfect 9-0 record. The team triumphed over the University of Jamestown with a 4-3 victory in the National Association of Collegiate Esports finals.
Under the leadership of junior computer engineering major Luke Johnson, the team has quickly established itself as a formidable presence in collegiate esports. Alongside teammates Andre Perkins, a mechanical engineering junior, and Everett-Alan Hood, a senior computer science major, the crew demonstrated exceptional strategic gameplay and teamwork throughout the season.
“We became stronger as a team and stronger friends as well, and by the end, we knew that we had the capabilities to clear the undefeated season and that’s what we went out and did,” Perkins shared after the championship match.
The chemistry and collaborative spirit among the team members have not only propelled them to victory but also garnered a following at N.C. A&T. Students flocked to the esports lab for a watch party, showcasing the growing interest in competitive gaming on campus.
I didn’t know until after the game I had so many of my friends, my aunts were watching, my uncles were watching, my sister was,” said Hood. “I didn’t think anybody really cared about the game that didn’t play it. But I realized we had so much support, and that made me really happy.”
Keeping the Momentum Going
Esports at N.C. A&T is becoming an interdisciplinary avocation, with enthusiastic local and campus support contributing to the team’s success. Dwayne Meekins, the esports coordinator, emphasized the importance of competitiveness within the program. “In everything that we do, I want us to compete. I don’t think winning everything all the time is a reasonable expectation, but I do think it’s fair to expect us to be competitive.”
Even before the establishment of the esports program, N.C. A&T had seen success in the field, boasting alumni such as DaSean Wade Neclos, Jr., a two-time reigning Madden NFL champion, and Isaiah McPhatter, who serves as a professional gamer and coach for the Aggie Esports’ Call of Duty and NBA 2K leagues.
Looking to the future, Johnson, Perkins, and Hood are optimistic about the continued growth of Aggie Esports. “It bolsters the Aggie Pride within each of us, knowing that the championship we won won’t be the last – not only for this team but for other teams that are competing in the same nature,” Perkins concluded.
As the program builds on this monumental achievement, the Aggie Esports community looks forward to more victories and expanded opportunities for aspiring gamers at North Carolina A&T.
