When most people think of college games, they picture basketball courts and football fields, but at Gordon State College, another team has been building momentum. It is a team that competes with headsets and controllers.
The Gordon Gamers, GSC’s official esports team, is entering its second year of competition. The group is part of the National Junior College Athletic Association Esports (NJCAAE), a league that includes teams from across the country. And while esports might be new territory for some, it is becoming a fast–growing college competitive activity.
“We have a lot of players who are excited to compete and see what we do this season,” said Rosser Jackson, the team’s captain. “We have a lot of new competitors too. Just know, we’re ready!”
The Gordon Gamers may still be new, but they have already made noise. In their debut season last fall, the team reached the NJCAAE playoffs. Madden player Devonte Gordon, a film production major from Coweta County, finished third in the region, a major feat for a program that didn’t exist two years ago.
This fall, Gordon’s roster has 11 players competing in Fortnite, Madden NFL, Marvel Rivals, and Rocket League. Coach David Grau said, “I believe that we have recruited some great talent for this season. Plus, we will be live-streaming our matches for the first time since the team’s inception,” he said. “I believe this will be our best season yet!”
The program ties directly into academics as well. Gordon offers a Nexus degree in film production, giving students experience and training with broadcasting equipment and editing software.
Esports at Gordon began in 2023 as a response to input from the student body. Academic advisor Joba Duke and Grau looked into competitive gaming and launched the team.
“We’re proud of how GSC Esports has become a place where students can challenge themselves, support one another, and represent our college with pride,” Duke said.
This week, the Gordon Gamers have taken part in NJCAAE’s Media Week, a nationwide kickoff to the fall season. From September 14–20, schools highlight their teams on social media with player cards, interviews, and practice clips to build hype before matches begin on September 22.
The Gordon Gamers are showing that esports is more than a hobby, but a growing part of the college campus experience.
Grant Turner is the editor of the Barnesville Buzz and an educator, coach, and writer based in Barnesville, Georgia. He shares stories that bridge community, faith, and personal growth. In addition to teaching and coaching, Grant is Director of Musical Worship and a Sunday School teacher at New Hope Baptist Church in Zebulon, Georgia. He lives in Barnesville with his wife, Haley.
