E-Sports

UM-Flint esports: A breakout season and a run to the national championship

The University of Michigan-Flint Esports program is celebrating a landmark year, marked by deep playoff runs, a national championship appearance, and the program’s first Eastern College Athletic Conference title. The successes reflect both competitive excellence and a growing sense of community on campus. Under the leadership of program manager Luke Rimarcik, UM-Flint Esports underwent a […]

Published

3 months ago

May 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Under the leadership of program manager Luke Rimarcik, UM-Flint Esports underwent a transformation focused on competitive growth and team cohesion. Rimarcik emphasized a shift from isolated efforts to a unified, driven environment where teams regularly scrimmaged, reviewed gameplay footage, and pushed each other to improve. “In the past, we’d only seen a couple of teams take things seriously,” Rimarcik explained. “This year, we set a new standard. The results speak for themselves, with Valorant and Rocket League making headlines for their playoff runs.”

A man sitting at a computer desk playing a video game. — *Trevon Johnson, a sophomore computer science major from Taylor, participates in a Rocket League practice match in the esports lab.*

Rocket League Maize: ECAC Champions

The Rocket League Maize team, comprised entirely of first-year students, had a historic season, going undefeated in the regular season and securing the university’s first ECAC playoff championship.

Jacob Cummings, a first-year computer science major from Owosso, credited the team’s success to “resilience and adaptability,” noting the team’s ability to exploit opponents’ weaknesses and rally in high-pressure moments. A defining point came in the semifinals when the team overcame a two-goal deficit to win a pivotal game, setting the stage for its championship run. “The playoff experience was amazing. Game 6 of our semifinals was the moment I knew we could win it all. We were down 3-2 in the series and fighting for our chance to stay in it. After we went down early, we rallied back from a two-goal deficit and won that game and the next one.”

For Cummings and his team members, they couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments this season. “It feels incredible to bring home a trophy for the university, especially as an all-first-year team,” Cummings said.

Keyshaun Jones, a first-year pre-nursing student from Fenton, highlighted the team’s communication and consistency as keys to success. “We kept our communication up and constantly worked on what we could do better during the game and practice,” he said. Jones was “ecstatic,” and winning as a rookie made the moment even more special. “As a first-year student, I never expected my teammates and I to travel such a distance. Seeing the effort we all put into securing this championship felt amazing,” he said.

Valorant Blue: From Roster Changes to National Contenders

The Valorant Blue squad overcame early-season roster changes and role swaps to find rhythm, eventually securing a spot in the National Esports Collegiate Conference national finals. Their journey included a dominant, undefeated run at the Ferris State LAN event. It resulted in UM-Flint’s first LAN trophy since 2022 and a critical win over the University of Oklahoma to advance in the national bracket.

First-year computer science major Tyrone Zheng from Commerce Township, who stepped into the in-game leader role, described the season as “long and tiring, but very exciting and fun.” The team’s ability to adapt and support each other was key to their late-season surge. “We finally have the winning formula and what it takes to win,” Zheng said. He also emphasized that the supportive environment at UM-Flint encourages new players to “be yourself and be involved.”

Helping the team reach new heights and make a deep run in the NECC playoffs was one of the more rewarding accomplishments for Zheng this season. “It feels great to win, obviously, it means a little extra to me personally because I know how much work and time everyone on the team has put both into the game and time outside the game,” he said.

The team competed against the University of North Carolina-Wilmington earlier this month for a shot at the national title, coming up just short in a hard-fought match.

The Valorant Blue team poses with a trophy from the Ferris State LAN event. — *Valorant Blue poses with their trophy from the Ferris State LAN event.* *From left to right: Samuel Williams, Jake Wohlfert, Zheng, Christian Sullivan, Ja’Tae Fordham*.

A Community Built for Success

UM-Flint’s state-of-the-art esports facility and select targeted scholarships have played a crucial role in attracting and developing top talent. The facility offers a space for both casual and competitive play, fostering camaraderie and team spirit. “Being able to yell and give your teammates fist bumps after every round adds so much value to the environment,” Rimarcik said. For Cummings, having a space to hang out with his team and unwind has been one of the highlights since joining. “Everyone in the program is so friendly and respectful toward each other. The lab is the best place on campus to go and relax and not be afraid to be yourself,” he said.

Rimarcik also highlighted the program’s inclusive atmosphere and commitment to student well-being. “I take it upon myself to connect with all the teams and try to get feedback on what they need. I see myself as the ‘dad’ of the program – always present, always supportive. We also aim to livestream daily during the season, Monday through Friday. We always try to change which teams we showcase each week, so we give every team a chance to be in the spotlight to show off their skills to the fans,” he said.

The community and camaraderie among the teams have created an environment that Zheng said made his first year at UM-Flint memorable. “It has actually made my first school year really enjoyable. I’m always looking forward to next week’s match or practice. Being in the Esports program has brought a lot of enjoyable memories and friends.”

With multiple teams making playoff runs, including League of Legends Blue, Overwatch Maize, Rocket League Blue, Fortnite, Super Smash Bros Blue and Valorant Maize, Rimarcik sees a bright future ahead. He is confident that the program’s upward trajectory will continue, driven by a culture of learning from setbacks and striving for excellence. “Some of these players have never competed on a team before. Helping them learn and grow is what makes this program special,” he said.

Rimarcik is particularly proud of the program’s progress and the recognition it’s starting to receive. “It’s nice to start making headlines to show prospective students and other organizations that the University of Michigan-Flint is making quite a few headlines for itself. Especially since we are the only varsity esports program among the three U-M campuses, it feels good to show and talk about all this new success within the program.”

Current or prospective students interested in joining the program can contact Rimarcik at [email protected]. The team can be followed on its Instagram page or watched stream games on its Twitch channel.

Link

E-Sports

SoDak esports competition returning to Sioux Falls

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – A free esports event is making a return at the Sioux Falls Convention Center in October 2025. Gamers of all experience levels are welcome for a day of tournament-style competition at the SoDak Circuit event. Cash prizes will be awarded to winners of games such as Fornite Rocket […]

Published

51 minutes ago

August 14, 2025

Your Sports Nation

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – A free esports event is making a return at the Sioux Falls Convention Center in October 2025.

Gamers of all experience levels are welcome for a day of tournament-style competition at the SoDak Circuit event.

Cash prizes will be awarded to winners of games such as

Fornite
Rocket League
Valorant
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Super Smash Bros
Ultimate
Madden NFL 2025

Tournament brackets will be split by age group for fair gameplay.

The event also includes a custom racing simulator, a Dungeons & Dragons RPG room and a cosplay competition.

Matches will be broadcast on large screens throughout the venue.

Esports has seen significant growth throughout the state over the last few years, with over 489 students participating in esports teams in South Dakota last year.

These numbers are expected to grow within the next few years.

Event doors open on Saturday, Oct. 11, at 7:30 a.m., with the event running from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

To set up a player profile or get more information, click here.

Link

E-Sports

A Leader in Gaming, Consumer Tech, and Wellness Categories.

Creator commerce platform Howl has surpassed $1.1 billion in sales and paid over $100 million to its 23,000 creators since launching in 2022. The platform has seen growth in categories like gaming, consumer electronics, and wellness, and has introduced innovations such as Superlinks and Portfolios to simplify creator-brand collaboration and accelerate commerce outcomes. Howl plans […]

Published

6 hours ago

August 14, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Creator commerce platform Howl has achieved a significant milestone, surpassing $1.1 billion in sales and paying over $100 million to its 23,000 creators since its inception in 2022. The platform has demonstrated robust growth in categories such as gaming, consumer electronics, and wellness, and has introduced innovative features like Superlinks and Portfolios to streamline creator-brand collaborations and accelerate commerce outcomes.

Howl’s success can be attributed to its ability to provide real-time analytics and automated rewards, enabling creators to optimize their content and earn performance bonuses. The platform’s high conversion rates, with top-selling products including the Nintendo Switch 2, Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones, the Oura Ring 4, and Nike Vaporfly running shoes, underscore its effectiveness in the creator economy.

Superlinks, a key innovation by Howl, allow creators to generate authenticated links during product launches that automatically track performance and feed into dynamic compensation based on sales impact. This feature simplifies monetization for gamers, athletes, and commentators new to creator commerce. Additionally, Portfolios provide exclusive, time-sensitive opportunities that drive campaign engagement, enabling brands to activate top creators without manual research.

Howl’s growth plans include doubling its creator base by the end of 2025 and targeting under-monetized, high-growth categories. The platform is also positioning itself to capitalize on the shift in consumer behavior towards AI shopping, with creators playing a central role in this experience.

Founded in 2022 and backed by Highland Capital Partners and Act One Ventures, Howl has driven over $1.1 billion in sales across gaming, technology, and wellness. The platform continues to empower lucrative partnerships between creators and major brands, demonstrating its potential in the evolving creator economy.

References:
[1] https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/howl-surpasses-1-1-billion-in-creator-led-commerce-302529263.html

Howl Surpasses $1.1 Billion in Creator-Led Commerce: A Leader in Gaming, Consumer Tech, and Wellness Categories.

Link

E-Sports

NorthStar Gaming Achieves Record Growth and Expands Market Reach

Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Northstar Gaming Holdings Inc ( (TSE:BET) ) just unveiled an update. NorthStar Gaming Holdings Inc. reported significant financial growth in Q2 2025, with a 15% increase in […]

Published

7 hours ago

August 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Elevate Your Investing Strategy:

Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence.

Northstar Gaming Holdings Inc ( (TSE:BET) ) just unveiled an update.

NorthStar Gaming Holdings Inc. reported significant financial growth in Q2 2025, with a 15% increase in revenue and a record gross margin of 40.8%. The company’s focus on operational efficiency and innovative marketing has led to reduced operating expenses as a percentage of revenue, positioning NorthStar for continued profitability. The company has also launched new marketing campaigns and partnerships to strengthen brand loyalty and expand its customer base, while preparing for potential growth opportunities in other Canadian regions.

More about Northstar Gaming Holdings Inc

NorthStar Gaming Holdings Inc. operates in the gaming industry, focusing on managed services and marketing programs to enhance customer engagement and retention. The company is known for its innovative marketing strategies and strong emphasis on financial discipline, targeting growth in the Canadian market.

Average Trading Volume: 152,674

Technical Sentiment Signal: Sell

Current Market Cap: C$4.75M

Find detailed analytics on BET stock on TipRanks’ Stock Analysis page.

Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue

Link

E-Sports

Aug 17 | Back to School Bash + Foam Party

Whether you’re jumping into school mode or just braving the back-to-school traffic, this is a Sunday you won’t want to miss! 💛For Adults: Enjoy meaningful music and an inspiring message from Fr. Rob on Anti-Fragile – Overcoming Anxiety | Philippians 4:1-7 🤓For Students: Kick off the year with a blessing, a cool bag tag to […]

Published

8 hours ago

August 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Whether you’re jumping into school mode or just braving the back-to-school traffic, this is a Sunday you won’t want to miss!

💛For Adults: Enjoy meaningful music and an inspiring message from Fr. Rob on Anti-Fragile – Overcoming Anxiety | Philippians 4:1-7

🤓For Students: Kick off the year with a blessing, a cool bag tag to clip on your gear, and a 🫧Foam Party🫧 after the service! (bring a towel).

Bring the whole family, invite a friend, and let’s start the school year with joy – together.

Check out all of our Back to School Resources: stmtts.org/BTS

Link

E-Sports

RubyPlay expands through Rush Street Interactive partnership — CDC Gaming

Charlotte Capewell, COMPLETE iGAMING Email, LinkedIn, and more Igaming development studio RubyPlay has partnered with Rush Street Interactive to bring its slot titles to Delaware, the second state it has expanded to this year. The partnership means players in Delaware have access to over 20 of RubyPlay’s slot titles on Rush Street Interactive’s online casino […]

Published

10 hours ago

August 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Charlotte Capewell, COMPLETE iGAMING

Igaming development studio RubyPlay has partnered with Rush Street Interactive to bring its slot titles to Delaware, the second state it has expanded to this year.

The partnership means players in Delaware have access to over 20 of RubyPlay’s slot titles on Rush Street Interactive’s online casino platform, BetRivers.

The new games available to Delaware players include Immortal Ways Diamonds SE, Diamond Explosion Patriots, and Immortal Ways Buffalo. According to RubyPlay, each title will include localized themes.

RubyPlay Chief Product Officer Dr. Eyal Loz said, “Breaking into a second US state is a big moment for us, especially alongside a partner that truly understands the casino games category and shares our vision. We’ve already seen how well our content resonates with BetRivers players in New Jersey, and we’re confident Delaware will be no different. With titles like Immortal Ways Buffalo and Diamond Explosion Patriots leading the charge, we’re bringing something fresh, bold, and built to engage.”

Link

E-Sports

Seton Hall Esports Students Excel at Gen.G Practicum in South Korea

Pablo Escobedo (left) and Samhitha Swarna (right) display their Gen.G Esports Practicum certificates alongside Esports Manager and Adjunct Professor Victor Gomez (center) in Seoul. Seton Hall Esports and the Stillman School of Business proudly celebrate the achievements of two rising finance majors, Samhitha Swarna (senior) and Pablo Escobedo (junior), who recently took part in the […]

Published

12 hours ago

August 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Gen.G Practicum students with professor — Pablo Escobedo (left) and Samhitha Swarna (right) display their Gen.G Esports Practicum
certificates alongside Esports Manager and Adjunct Professor Victor Gomez (center)
in Seoul.

Seton Hall Esports and the Stillman School of Business proudly celebrate the achievements of two rising finance majors, Samhitha Swarna
(senior) and Pablo Escobedo (junior), who recently took part in the prestigious Gen.G
Esports Practicum Abroad in Seoul, South Korea. Accompanied by Seton Hall’s Esports
Manager and Adjunct Professor, Victor Gomez, the students spent three weeks immersed
in an international learning experience that blended professional development, industry
networking, and firsthand exposure to the global esports scene.

The practicum gathered top university talent from around the world to work on projects
with Gen.G Esports, a world-renowned organization with championship teams in multiple
major titles, including recent wins at the League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational and the Esports World Cup. Both Samhitha and Pablo successfully
completed the rigorous program, and Samhitha earned the “Exemplar” designation, the
highest honor awarded to just one participant in the cohort for going above and beyond
and embodying Gen.G’s values.

Live match

In addition to their project work, the students built a network of 18 other student
leaders. The practicum included projects spanning business, education, and marketing,
giving participants the opportunity to learn directly from Gen.G industry leaders
about how these sectors intersect in esports. Beyond the classroom, they enjoyed rare
experiences such as attending a live match at the LCK Roadshow: T1 Homeground vs.
Gen.G, an electrifying clash between two esports titans that showcased the competitive
atmosphere fueling the industry’s global popularity. They also visited Lotte Tower,
one of Seoul’s most iconic landmarks, and participated in high-level networking sessions
with C-suite executives and leading professionals in esports, marketing, and business
strategy.

This practicum enhanced the students’ professional skills and reinforced Seton Hall’s
commitment to creating opportunities that prepare students for success in competitive
industries. By bridging classroom learning with the global esports stage, the Gen.G
Practicum Abroad has given Samhitha and Pablo a valuable edge as they continue their
academic journeys and pursue careers at the intersection of finance, business, and
gaming.

About Gen.G

Founded in August 2017, Gen.G Esports is a global esports organization inspired by
the talent of Korean pro players and the passion of fans worldwide. Headquartered
in Seoul, Los Angeles and Riyadh, Gen.G fields championship-winning teams across League of Legends, VALORANT, PUBG, EA FC Online and Brawl Stars. Recent milestones include a four-time LCK championship streak, a 2024 MSI title
and a 2024 VALORANT Masters victory. Gen.G also operates the Gen.G Global Academy (GGA) to foster the
next generation of esports talent. The organization is backed by leading partners
including LG, Monster Energy, Logitech, SOOP, Descente, Otoki and SIDIZ, and is committed
to delivering fan-first experiences through innovative partnerships and activations.

Categories:
Science and Technology

Link