Brookdale Esports Team Claims National Championship & Advances to Tier 1

In an extraordinary feat that has placed Brookdale Community College on the national esports map, the college’s esports team clinched the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) fall 2023 Open Series National Championship.

The victory was celebrated in a ceremony at the Board of Trustees February meeting where the players received their NJCAA issued Championship certificates from President David M. Stout, Ph.D., and Esports Director Chris Boehmer, followed by the presentation of the team trophy.

“This is an incredible accomplishment for our esports team’s very first year of competition,” said Board of Trustee Chair Paul Crupi.

The Valorant team, composed of William Ahlfeld, Dean Casiere, Dresden Lewis, Fernando Davila, Nicholas Panarella, Hamad Albadi, and Jeremy Saavedra, has not only won the championship but also the hearts of their peers, faculty, and a growing fan base.

“Coming from the professional scene of VALORANT I was pleasantly surprised at the level of play of the players that showed up to open tryouts for Brookdale’s first season of esports,” said Coach Michael Abood. “Picking the team was a lot harder than I anticipated but I’m super happy about the results.”

Valorant is a tactical FPS (First-Person Shooter) game where two teams of five players each compete, demanding not only mechanical skills, such as sharp aiming and quick reactions but also a significant degree of strategic thinking and teamwork to outmaneuver their opponents. The team’s aggressive approach, tactical insight, and ability to remain cool under pressure were pivotal in their path to victory. Their dedication to learning from professional players and implementing strategies as a unified force distinguished them from their rivals.

“Watching them grow as a team throughout the season really reinforced what esports is all about,” said Boehmer.

Following their historic win, the Valorant team (as well as the other teams, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Overwatch 2, and Call of Duty: MW3) have been promoted to the Premier Series (PS) division, Tier 1 of NJCAAE (National Junior College Athletic Association Esports) competition, which represents the top level of NJCAAE collegiate esports.

“Our players have proven to be able to compete against any school in the country,” said Coach Abood. “They’re all super hard workers during practice and even outside of practice they are always trying to improve themselves and the team. We obviously have what it takes to carry on our momentum, in Tier 1, and I speak for everyone when I say we are just excited to hopefully play better competition.”

The team has continued their winning streak, currently standing at 4-0 in the new league. Fans and supporters can watch them compete every Thursday at 7 pm on Twitch. tv/brookdale_esports or in person at the Brookdale Esports Arena, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ.

The remarkable rise of Brookdale Community College’s esports team, from newcomers to national champions and now contenders in the Premier Series division, has significantly raised expectations for Brookdale Esports. As they embark on new challenges within the Premier Series, the team is ready to further their legacy and inspire future esports athletes. Kudos to the Brookdale Community College esports team, their coaches, and supporters for this incredible journey. The future of Brookdale esports looks bright, with the promise of more exciting matches and potential championships on the horizon.