Ball State senior Luke Long reacts during a Rocket League match in the University’s Esports Center. Known for its blend of soccer and rocket-powered cars, Rocket League is one of several games in which Ball State Esports excelled in 2024. The Cardinals finished undefeated in conference play and ranked among the top eight teams nationally, reinforcing the program’s standing as a powerhouse in collegiate esports. Photo by Tavoris Chapman
Ball State University’s esports program earned national recognition in 2024 with undefeated Rocket League play, strong Valorant and Overwatch finishes, and multiple championship titles.
Ball State Esports capped an impressive 2024 season with championships across multiple games, national accolades, and another undefeated Rocket League campaign—cementing the Cardinals yet again as a top-tier collegiate esports program.
The University’s Rocket League team dominated competition, finishing undefeated in both the Esports Collegiate Conference (13–0) and Eastern College Athletic Conference (7–0), and earning a spot among the top eight teams in the country. The team’s performance earned a Team of the Year nomination at the Jan. 13 Scholastic Esports Awards at Ohio State University. Head Coach Gannon Nelson—who leads three varsity rosters—was nominated for Coach of the Year for his leadership and focus on team growth.
Valorant and Overwatch squads also delivered strong results. Valorant went 12–1 in ESC play—its lone loss caused by a power outage—and placed second in both the ESC Championships and Battle for Indiana. Overwatch took second place in the ECAC and finished top 16 nationally.
The League of Legends and Rocket League teams each won their brackets at Battle for Indiana, hosted by Butler University. And in the ECAC Championships, Ball State took home first-place titles in Rocket League and League of Legends, beating Concord and Savannah College of Arts and Design, respectively.
Ball State’s success extended into sim racing. Ar Muhammad Aleef, a Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Scholarship recipient, won the Collegiate iRacing League Formula College Championship. Kale Davidson finished second, and Ball State swept team titles in the CiL Formula College, Cup Series, and SportsCar Challenge.
Beyond gameplay, Ball State’s esports production students helped run the broadcast at the ESC Championships—gaining hands-on experience leading peers from other institutions in live event coverage.
Ball State launched its varsity esports program in January 2021 as part of its College of Communication, Information, and Media (CCIM), becoming a founding member of the Esports Collegiate Conference. The University also offers an Esports Production concentration within CCIM’s Department of Media, where students study the history of esports, video production, streaming, and live broadcasting.
More than 700 students participate in Ball State’s student-run Esports Club, including more than 50 varsity student-athletes.
“Our students embraced the challenge and put in the work,” said Dan Marino, director of esports. “I’m proud of their results and how they represent Ball State.”
