eSports Program Recognizes Championship Season, Individual Honors

CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu, 518-629-7898 or 518-416-2137
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Tuesday, May 4, 2021

The Hudson Valley Community College eSports program held its Virtual Spring Recognition and Awards Ceremony on Monday evening at 6 p.m. 

Following the opening remarks by Justin Hoyt, Director of Athletics, head coach Bob Stranahan provided a recap of the successful spring eSports season, which was highlighted by the recognition of the program's first NJCAAe National Championship. The Call of Duty - Warzone duo team of Elijah Harris and Ryan Closson defeated Northeastern Technical College 3-1 in the best-of-three championship series on Friday night to claim the program's first national title. 

The spring season featured 19 student-athletes competing on seven teams as well as two individual competitors across a variety of video games and platforms. Among the 19 student-athletes, the Vikings had seven individuals compete for multiple teams each week. 

The eSports program also introduced its official Twitch channel during the spring semester, which accumulated 67 new followers, nearly 200 unique viewers across 55 total hours of streamed games and competitions. Within two months from its launch, the eSports program achieved an important "Affiliate" status for the Twitch channel.

Following the program overview, Coach Stranahan recapped the team's success, highlighting student-athletes Ligori Karapanxho (Hearthstone), Mitchel Clow (Super Smash Bros.) and the Rocket League teams for finishing the season with an undefeated regular season record. He also handed out the program's major awards for Most Improved Team, Best eSports Team, and Most Valuable Gamer.  

The NJCAAe has already released the Fall 2021 gaming schedule. If any Hudson Valley Community College student is interested in joining the eSports program, please contact Coach Stranahan today at r.stranahan@hvcc.edu.