Rogers State University Esports Valorant team secured the program’s first national title since joining the National Esports Collegiate Conference earlier this fall.
“I am incredibly proud of our Valorant team for taking the NECC title this semester, especially after taking some close losses early in the season,” Esports Head Coach Holden Craig said. “We are looking forward to competing for back-to-back titles this spring and carrying that momentum into nationals.”
In August, RSU Esports finalized an agreement with the NECC to compete with the best Esports programs across the country. RSU’s entry into the NECC demonstrated the program’s value and competitive ability at the national level.
The Valorant team is captained by senior Victor “Salty” Holleyman, from Salina, OK, and supported by student assistant freshman Alexandrea “Ghosted” Rose, from Gypsum, CO.
“The NECC Esports organization includes more than 90 institutions. Joining and competing this year was a really important step up for RSU,” Holleyman said. “This was only our first year in this league and we brought home the championship. This will be a season I will never forget.”
RSU’s Esports program played 63 matches in their regular Oklahoman Association of Collegiate Esports season against 38 colleges and universities. This includes Northeastern State, Oklahoma City University, Southeastern Oklahoma State and the University of Central Oklahoma.
In 2018, RSU became the first university in Oklahoma to offer Esports as an official university activity. RSU Esports was named tournament champions earlier last year at the Oklahoma Association of Collegiate Esports’ Battle for Oklahoma tournament. The Esports program also provides support and mentorship for the Oklahoma Esports League, assisting high school students during Esports competitions.
RSU offers an Esports degree option within the Bachelor of Science in Business Information Technology. The RSU Esports competitive gaming program is open to all enrolled RSU students.
RSU Esports will open tryouts for the spring 2022 semester in January. For more information about Esports, visit www.rsu.edu/levelup.