Ethan Yang sat under the stage lights, headset on, as the crowd watched his team battle through rounds of Valorant during the Midwest Battlegrounds tournament. Facing off against Division I and II schools, Yang knew they were underdogs—but that didn’t matter. For the College of Lake County (CLC) esports team, every match was a chance to grow and improve.

More than just video games, esports is a fast-growing sport that builds community, teaches real-world skills and opens new doors for student athletes. At CLC, the program is less than a year old but already competitive and gaining momentum.

Launching a new program

Coach Matthew Hixon, who joined CLC in April 2024 after launching a successful program at another community college, brings over 25 years of competitive gaming experience and six years of collegiate coaching. A longtime Street Fighter competitor, Hixon doesn’t just teach game mechanics, he manages team culture, motivation and performance across a growing roster of players.

CLC’s team currently competes in games like Overwatch, Rocket League, Valorant, League of Legends, FIFA, NBA 2K, Street Fighter, Call of Duty and Super Smash Bros. Team sizes vary from solo competitors to squads of six. Unlike many larger schools that employ coaches for each title, Hixon manages all of them. His role focuses on communication, scheduling, player development and team cohesion, a critical skill as different playstyles and personalities come together.

“A lot of the players know more about the games than I do,” Hixon said. “My job is to help them work together, stay focused and keep the energy positive.”

Creating a community for gamers

One of the biggest draws for student athletes is the in-person community. While many gamers are used to playing with friends online, CLC’s team offers face-to-face connection. Since starting with 12 players, the team has grown to more than 20.

Hixon has worked hard to build up the community atmosphere. He has a Discord server where the team can talk to each other and also connect with players Hixon previously coached. Players also often hang out together outside of practice on their own. The team atmosphere strikes a balance between fun and focus.

Creating the community isn’t just something that Hixon wanted to do, it’s something gamers actively search for. Hixon recalls one of his players asked him “will I make friends here?” This showed Hixon how important creating this space was.

“Before I was on the team, I was just kind of living solo. Esports helped me realize that an in-person community is important to me,” said Dylan Smith, who has been playing Overwatch competitively since 2018. “Playing in person as part of a team is way more fun. You build camaraderie more quickly because you can see everyone. You can put a face to a voice.”

Seeing CLC offer a formal space and program for esports excited Smith. He felt it validated his long-time passion and gave him a meaningful avenue to participate in competitive gaming within an academic setting.

Jake Bloniarz, a Rocket League player who previously competed at Antioch High School, found a new opportunity at CLC to keep doing what he loved while studying automotive technology.

“After my last high school match, I teared up,” Bloniarz said. “I didn’t think I’d ever get to play again. Then I came to CLC and realized I could play here. It’s a dream opportunity for anyone who's ever imagined playing video games as part of a team.”

Training and growing as a team

Like any sport, esports demands dedication. Players often practice alone or together for hours a day while balancing their coursework. Time management and discipline are as essential as quick reflexes. Other skills players develop through cooperative play also translate outside of gaming.

“Playing as a team teaches you communication and cooperation,” Yang said. “These are skills you use in life, not just in games.”

CLC competes in the National Junior College Athletic Association open series and made an immediate impact, placing in the top 10 for every title it entered. With over 20 student athletes now participating, Hixon anticipates holding tryouts or forming multiple teams for games with high interest, but for now, the team remains open to all interested students.

One of the most exciting experiences that the athletes had was competing in the Midwest Battlegrounds tournament against Division I and II athletes. It was a large step up in competition, but it was a good experience for the athletes to see what it is really like competing in collegiate esports.

Growing and looking ahead

As the program has grown, equipment was quickly updated. Through a partnership with BHOP Esports, CLC acquired custom-built PCs. Players train in a dedicated space on campus and at BHOP locations in Gurnee and Vernon Hills.

CLC also streams matches on Twitch with student-led commentary. Hixon hopes to add more content, including player profiles and behind-the-scenes features. The team also holds events like Mario Kart tournaments for the community.

“I recommend the esports team to students who want to improve their game or just learn how to play together as a team,” Bloniarz said.

While many see esports as just playing video games, it has become a respected and highly competitive sport at the collegiate level and a real opportunity for gamers to take their hobby to the next level.

“Esports isn't going anywhere,” Hixon said. “It brings excitement and attention, and it helps with enrollment. We’re just getting started.”