AIɫɫ

AIɫɫ’s Esports team participated in its first-ever Collegiate Esports Commissioners Cup (CECC) at the beginning of the month at Esports Stadium Arlington in Texas. The team, made up of students Blade Taylor (gamer tag: “SlaYeR”), Sean Downard (“Tacostash84”), Dyllan Debruyne (“Duckworth”), and reserve player Tanis Caltrider (“Spookii”), recently capped off an undefeated regular season by winning the Great Lakes Esports Conference championship earlier this year.

“We outplaced all expectations in every event we went to,” said Justin Kogge, Interim Esports Coach on the team’s performance in the CECC. “Rocket League is the most popular esport offered in the country. We are returning two of our starters next year and are position to be a dark horse for the National Championship!”

Making it past the CECC’s group stage and into the Top 12 Playoff, the SSU team fell in competition to what would be the 3rd place team, and subsequently tied for 9th place overall. During the competition, the SSU games were streamed by over 7,000 concurrent viewers during the featured segment. The viewership garnered a significant increase in visibility and brand recognition for the highly-competitive university team.

“Our time at the CECC provided invaluable experience, significant exposure, and a clear direction for AIɫɫ State Esports,” said Kogge. “It has set the stage for future success at the national level.”