Husson University Esports Team Wins First-Ever Championship

Published on: April 26, 2024

Husson University's Overwatch 2 Gold team has become the first Husson Esports team to ever win a league championship.

The junior varsity team won the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championship, defeating Elmira College 4-2 in the final round on April 10, 2024.

"The Overwatch 2 Gold team had a flawless regular season and carried it into the post-season to great success," said AJ Kool, who attributed their success to a lot of practice, hard work and trust built over the season. "Outside of the game, this team really bonded together strongly, creating traditions like dining together at the DDC before each match that benefited their team relationship."

Team members Jarod Smith, Alex Goulet, Ricky Orgill, Joseph Donahue, Katrina Bois and Adrien Sholes competed in the video game Overwatch 2, a five-player game. The six-person roster included one alternate, who also helped with details, researching other teams and prep work.

The playoff games were a challenge, especially when the Gold team had to play the last team they'd competed in the regular season as their first postseason competitor. This could have resulted in a loss, but they pushed through, Kool said.

The Overwatch 2 Gold team will be receiving medals for their win and the Esports Program will soon have a trophy to add to their Commissioner's Cup from last year. Kool said he's brainstorming now about creative ways to display the awards in the futuristic esports room.

"On behalf of Husson University, I would like to extend congratulations and a job well-done to the Overwatch 2 Gold team as well as to the esports program as a whole. The lessons of team building, camaraderie, planning and perseverance are important to both their game play and their education," said Lynne Coy-Ogan, vice president for academic affairs, provost and president-elect.

Husson's esports program launched in Spring 2022 with 32 players. In Fall 2023, the new Husson University Esports Center was unveiled as the home to 17 esports teams. Playership has doubled since its inception.

Husson's Esports program earned the ECAC Commissioners Cup in 2022-23, which is awarded to a conference member university with an esports program that has both in-game success and a positive impact on campus and the community.

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