Esports claims four top teams, All-Academic students

San Jacinto College’s esports program capped a successful year with four top 10 teams and individual academic honors.

This spring, esports celebrated one team ranking among the top 3 in Division 1 Overwatch 2 standings, while three others teams ranked among top 10 in Division 3 Smash Bros, League of Legends, and Marvel Rivals standings.

In addition, four esports student-athletes earned National Junior College Athletic Association Esports All-Academic honors:

• Talent Thay, League of Legends team
• Salvador Itriago, Mario Kart team
• Anissa Bohon, League of Legends team (captain)
• Wilfredo Lopez, Overwatch 2 team (captain)

These students achieved a 3.5 grade point average or higher while meeting all NJCAAE eligibility and conduct requirements. They numbered among only 163 students from 36 member institutions nationwide to receive this recognition.

“I'm extremely proud of our students and the opportunity to mentor them,” said David “DJ” Thomas, esports coach and business/technology professor. “We are looking to do even greater this year. As our motto goes, ‘Take Flight and Dominate!’”

I'm extremely proud of our students and the opportunity to mentor them. We are looking to do even greater this year. As our motto goes, ‘Take Flight and Dominate!’

The extracurricular esports program builds skills like teamwork, strategy, communication, problem-solving, and sportsmanship. Under Thomas’s mentorship, students meet for organized practices and competitions.

Thomas is recruiting more players College-wide and hopes to develop an esports certificate to complement San Jac’s simulation and game design program.

“This certificate would prepare students for careers in esports management, coaching, event operations, and K-12 program development,” he said. “If approved, San Jac would be the only institution in our area offering an academic certificate in esports, one of the fastest-growing industries in education and technology.”

Established in 2019, NJCAAE serves over 6,000 students from more than 230 institutions. Learn more at njcaaesports.org.

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About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. The College is ranked second in the nation among more than 1,100 community colleges, as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020 and 2026. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution that spans five campuses, plus an online college, San Jacinto College serves approximately 45,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding bond ratings of AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 by Moody’s. San Jacinto College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.