RBC ESPORTS
The Richard Bland College of William & Mary (RBC) Athletic Department is excited to announce the official launch of its Esports team, which takes off later on this fall. This innovative program blends both academics and athletics and perfectly aligns with the growing popularity of competitive gaming at colleges and universities nationwide.
The Esports program will be housed on campus in the brand new Academic Innovation Center, which is equipped with gaming equipment and comfortable seating for players and spectators. The dedicated space will foster community and provide student-athletes with the resources they need to excel.
RBC is currently recruiting talented gamers to build its Esports varsity teams to compete against Region 10 NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) institutions such as Wake Technical Community College, Johnston Community College, and Guilford Technical Community College. The program will bolster participating students’ teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking skills.
DeAndre Taylor: In-Game Leader
Richard Bland College is home to one of the best video gamers in the country. His name is DeAndre Taylor. At his peak, he was ranked among the nation’s top 85 players in “Overwatch 2,” a popular first-person shooter video game.
Taylor currently serves as the Esports President and Captain of the College’s Overwatch team. He thrives as the squad’s vocal bedrock—calling out defensive and offensive tactics for his teammates to follow.
“It’s kind of like playing chess,” the second-year student said. “You’ve got to do the work to roll as a team.”
Eligibility Requirements:
To play on the varsity teams, students must be enrolled full-time in the Fall 2024 semester (12 or more credit hours) and have a 2.0 GPA or higher. Cumulative GPA requirements are not required for new or first year students and participants.
The Esports program welcomes non-competitive gamers as well.
For more information, please contact esports@rbc.edu or contact RBC Athletic Director Scott Newton at snewton@rbc.edu.
Richard Bland College Esports
Richard Bland College (RBC) introduced its Esports program in Fall 2024, offering students the opportunity to engage in competitive gaming while developing skills such as teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking
The Esports teams compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Region 10, facing institutions like Wake Technical Community College, Johnston Community College, and Guilford Technical Community College.
The program is housed in the Academic Innovation Center, which features a dedicated gaming arena equipped with state-of-the-art computers, monitors, gaming headsets, consoles, and streaming cameras.
