8-02-2024 9:53am

EMU welcomes five nationally ranked competitors Esports, including national champion in Rocket League

Ypsilanti PressLLC Editor

Jacob Bennett

YPSILANTI — As 2024 marks another semester of recruitment for Eastern Esports, Eastern Michigan University is welcoming five nationally acclaimed students to its roster. Jacob Bennett from Detroit Catholic Central High School leads the pack, who capped off his high school career with a national team championship in Rocket League.

Eastern Esports allows students to play video game titles at a competitive level. Eastern has six competitive teams, including Overwatch 2, Rocket League, League of Legends, Valorant, Call of Duty, and Super Smash Bros.

Bennett triumphed over 3,000 schools from 30 states to claim his championship, marking Detroit Catholic Central’s first national title. His win caught the attention of YouTuber SunlessKahn, who posted a video on their story that garnered 300,000 views. Bennett plans to bring his passion for gaming and leadership to Eastern’s Esports program.

“Leadership is not just about being the best; it's about helping your teammates to be the best they can be,” said Bennett. “My first goal here is to make an impact. My long-term goal is to win it all.”

Zachary Lewis, coordinator of Eastern’s Esports, oversaw much of the recruitment process and hopes Bennett’s incoming class will legitimize Eastern Esports as a viable competitor when it comes time for nationals.

“The 2024-25 year will be the first true year of EMU Esports' competitive legacy,” said Lewis. “Our first-ever class of recruits is a true step forward for our program in multiple game titles. With raw talent alone, they will immediately elevate our regional and national esports rankings as a university.”

Beyond Bennett, other nationally acclaimed recruits joining the program include:

Stephen Meagher, a top .5% player ranked nationally in League of Legends
Kyle Grieg, a top 1% player ranked nationally in Rocket League
Alexander Sandberg, a top .5% player ranked nationally in Valorant
Luke Miller, a top 1.5% player ranked nationally in Overwatch 2

Looking ahead, Lewis feels honored to work with his upcoming students. “It's impossible to describe how much potential our program has with them involved. This is an exciting new measure of EMU excellence.”

For more information on Eastern Esports, visit their website.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 13,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education.

Melissa Thrasher
mthrashe@emich.edu