LCCC Esports Reaches 1000th Match Played In Program Milestone

May 22, 2025 - - During the 2024–25 Lorain County Community College Esports season, the Commodores achieved numerous accolades, including strong finishes in the National Junior College Athletic Association Esports (NJCAAE) playoffs and personal bests for competitors who strung together record-breaking win streaks. 

But another major milestone marked this season—one that highlights the growing interest in competitive video gaming on the LCCC campus. In just their fourth academic year as a program, the Commodores competed in their 1,000th match during the spring season. 

"Reaching 1,000 matches in just four years is a milestone that reflects the passion, dedication, and growth of our players and our program," said LCCC Esports Head Coach Robert McClelland.  "When we started in 2021 with just four competitors and a few consoles in a shared classroom, none of us could have imagined the scale we'd reach this quickly. Today, we have full rosters across multiple titles, a state-of-the-art practice facility, and a presence in national playoffs year after year." 

Founded in 2021 with just four competitors and one gaming title, the LCCC Esports program has since expanded to over 30 student-athletes competing across more than 10 gaming titles. Now, the Commodores play in the new Esports practice facility located in the Campana Center for Ideation and Invention.  The new home includes 20 gaming stations and a broadcast booth for live streaming all their contests. 

Over the years, LCCC has produced a national champion, a national runner-up, and multiple top-four finishes in both team and individual events, along with numerous top-ten finishes in the NJCAAE playoffs. 

"Each of those 1,000 matches tells a story," added McClelland, "It tells a story of perseverance, of learning, of teamwork. Some of them were hard-fought victories, others were tough lessons, but every one of them has made us stronger. I've had the privilege of coaching some truly remarkable student-athletes—watching them grow not just as competitors, but as leaders, teammates, and individuals. 

Commodore Esports at LCCC competes in the NJCAAE, which is structured into three tiers: the Premier Series (Tier 1), Contender Series (Tier 2), and Open Series (Tier 3). These tiers range from the highest level of student competition to more accessible formats open to LCCC affiliates, employees, alumni, and faculty. 

The NJCAAE hosts two competitive seasons annually—fall (September–December) and spring (February–April)—each lasting seven weeks, followed by playoffs. Full-time LCCC students can participate in any tier based on their competitive level and availability. 

LCCC's Esports program fields players in a wide variety of games across multiple platforms. Titles include Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Valorant, Overwatch 2, Fortnite, and Call of Duty: Warzone, along with traditional fighting games like Tekken and Street Fighter. They also compete in strategy and simulation games such as Hearthstone and Madden NFL. 

New in 2025, LCCC added Marvel Rivals to its competitive lineup, continuing to grow its presence in the collegiate esports landscape.