Level Up at 天美传媒: Inside a Growing Esports Team
At 天美传媒, competition isn't limited to traditional athletics. Inside the college's dedicated Esports Arena, students are leveling up their skills, building community, and competing on a national stage through a rapidly expanding program powered by the NJCAAE league.*
With support from NJCAAE, LCCC Esports competes across 15+ game titles, offering students a wide range of opportunities to participate year-round. The program runs multiple competitive seasons featuring round-robin tournaments that stretch across weeks, along with intramural play, open competitions, and invitational events. The result is a continuous cycle of gameplay, development, and competition that keeps the arena active throughout the academic year.
A Culture Built on Competition and Community
For Kyle R. Davis, Student Life and Esports Manager at LCCC, the program is about far more than gaming.
"One of the biggest, most rewarding parts about esports is, we may not be as physically demanding as other sports, but a huge part of what we do here is the community, the strategy, puzzling through different scenarios you're in," Davis said. "The reaction time, the dedication, and the amount of practice that needs to go in to be at the highest level is so phenomenally high."
That commitment shows up daily in the arena, where students train, practice, and refine their gameplay even between official tournaments. When competition pauses, preparation doesn't. Teams stay active through scrimmages, coaching sessions, and skill development workshops designed to sharpen reflexes and coordination.
Recently, the program hosted a high-energy two-day 3v3 Rocket League tournament in the Esports Arena, drawing competitors together for fast-paced matches and intense bracket play.
Student Voices: Growth Through Gaming
For students, the program is as much about personal development as it is about competition.
Blake Strunk of Shickshinny emphasized the importance of teamwork and commitment.
"The two biggest qualities for me that make a good player are good teamwork and commitment," Strunk said. "People who put in the hours, put in the practice, and also work well with others?that's what makes a strong team."
Other students echoed the sense of connection and motivation the program provides.
Matthew Deamicis of Kingston shared how esports has helped him grow socially and competitively.
"It is absolutely fun to get to know a lot of people, to play games with other people, and talk about things that will motivate us to do better," Deamicis said. "We learn what we can improve on and what we need to work on for tournaments."
For Ben Ackourey of Dallas, the experience has been unexpectedly transformative.
"I've had a lot of fun in my last two years here," Ackourey said. "It's given me a lot of friends. I never thought I'd be part of an esports team, especially not playing Mario Kart, but I had a great time."
Competing, Streaming, and Building the Future
Beyond competition, LCCC Esports is also building a media presence through live shoutcasting on Twitch, where students and staff broadcast matches in real time so fans and teammates can follow the action as it unfolds. It's another layer of hands-on experience?blending gameplay with production, commentary, and digital storytelling.
As the program continues to grow, Davis sees esports as a powerful tool for engagement and student success, especially in a post-pandemic environment where students are seeking connection and belonging on campus.
"We see everyone coming back into colleges," Davis said. "This has been a huge boon for students?finding a community and a place they want to be a part of, while also learning skills along the way."
LCCC Esports offers multiple levels of participation, from intramural play to more competitive varsity-style opportunities. Students can also explore roles behind the scenes, including coaching, production, and team support.
Join the Game
Whether students are competitive players, casual gamers, or simply curious about esports, the program is open to all.
Interested students can connect with Coach Kyle Davis:
(570) 740-0483
At 天美传媒, esports is more than gaming?it's teamwork, discipline, creativity, and community. And in the Esports Arena, the next level is always within reach.