Over the course of 2024, our Capitol Tech Chargers Esports team has made significant strides in the gaming competition arena. Our student competitors have developed important skills in teamwork and discipline to achieve great results, break records, and represent our university against other college teams. Additionally, our team welcomed new recruits this fall who showed immense potential, ensuring that more Esports successes are on the way.
Some of the biggest highlights of the year came during the team’s performance at the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) games, where they secured a top score in multiple Esports battles. Of the 8 Call of Duty III competitions at NACE, our Chargers won 6 games! Playing against the George Mason University Patriots, the Northeast State Bears, the Bethany Lutheran College Vikings, and more, they demonstrated not only skill but an incredible level of teamwork and strategy in this fast-paced, first-person point of view game. Additionally, our Chargers won several NACE competitions in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate with 2 out of 8 wins, and Overwatch 2 with 5 out of 8 wins. Their dedication and hours of practice culminated in an unforgettable series of victories, showing the Esports world what our program has to offer.
As a standout player, Alonte Dodds has shown outstanding skill and dedication to his craft. Earlier this year, Alonte placed in the top 10 spot among 60 participants during the Extra Credit #100 Smash Bros. Tournament at Xanadu Games in Laurel, MD. He also secured Capitol Tech’s first-ever tournament win during the MET FEST Esports Tournament in Washington, D.C., receiving 1st place among 55 entrants! During a following competition in the Extra Credit #109 tournament at Xanadu Games, Alonte finished 1st again, with his Pikachu character beating out several other players to win his second straight Smash tournament for the summer season. In the fall, Alonte finished out his season strong by placing 5th in the Smash Singles Extra Credit #122, and 1st in the University of MD (UMD) Smash Fest Tournament. Additional Capitol Tech students secured impressive wins within the top 25 as well, including Josiah O’Neal, Carlos Gomez, Dylan Bridgewater, Davon Gettys, and Derrick Morrison. These successes are substantial gains for not only individual players, but our entire Esports team as this is a team sport that supports one another through both victories and losses.
In addition to competitions, our Esports Department also hosted several events on campus, including a Brawlhalla Tournament, which falls during our September workshops and tryouts season, and the annual Halloween Smash Tournament, which was won by student Kyle Schaffer for the second year in a row! Open events like these help break the ice for new students to engage with their peers, experience our state-of-the-art Esports arena, and celebrate gaming as a shared passion.
Our university is extremely proud of everyone’s dedication and progress during this standout season, and the team is looking forward to next year’s competitions.
Stay tuned on our social media for Esports updates and keep up with our teams on Instagram @chargersesports and Twitch at twitch.tv/captechesports.
If you are a Capitol Tech student interested in joining our Esports team, please contact our Esports Department or visit our website for more information on our program and scholarship opportunities.