SIC Esports Brings Home Second NACE Division Championship

For the second time in its four-year history, the Southeastern Illinois College Falcons Faction of Gamers (FOG) varsity esports team has brought home a division championship from the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE).

The team first earned a division championship title in fall 2022, competing in Call of Duty: Vanguard in the NACE Varsity Plus East 3 Division. Since then, the Falcons have made it to the Call of Duty playoffs multiple times in both NACE and the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), finishing second in NACE and third in ECAC during the fall 2023 season (Call of Duty: MWII), and second in NACE again during the spring 2024 season (Call of Duty: MWIII).

However, the coveted championship title had eluded them — until April 9, when the undefeated Falcons bested the Tornadoes from Talladega College (Ala.) to win the NACE Varsity Plus West-Central Division Championship for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.

Head Coach Jason Fitzgerald, known as Coach Fitz, praised the efforts and dedication of his assistant coach and former team captain, Brandon Holloman, as well as the commitment of his players.

“Brandon has a knowledge of Call of Duty gameplay greater than anyone I know, and by sharing that with our team, they were able to end our spring season as division champions,” Fitzgerald said. “The team members took that knowledge and applied it during countless practices and scrimmages throughout the season, getting better with each match they played. I am very proud of this team and the accomplishments they have achieved.”

Fitzgerald added that competitive esports provide a valuable extracurricular opportunity for students who may not participate in traditional college athletics or other competitive programs.

As a member of both NACE and ECAC, SIC’s esports team competes against colleges and universities from across the United States and Canada, including two-year and four-year, public and private institutions.

Currently, the Falcons FOG team competes in Call of Duty titles, but with enough student interest, there are opportunities to expand into games such as Valorant, Apex Legends, Rocket League, Overwatch and more.

With the spring competition season complete, the team will hold open tryouts and recruitment events in the coming weeks on campus. Details will be posted on the team’s Instagram at instagram.com/falconsfog and Facebook at facebook.com/FalconsFOG.

A limited number of scholarships are available to qualified students.

Students interested in joining the team can complete a Recruit Me form at sic.edu/esports or email esports@sic.edu for more information.

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