Bevill State Community College sits in the heart of Hamilton, Alabama. Home of the Bears, the college also features a growing esports program led by head coach Mike Avery and assistant coach Benjamin Sullins. Avery has been the head coach for the past year and has worked at the college for more than 11 years in IT and network management. Sullins also joined the esports team a year ago.

Avery has been passionate about gaming for as long as he can remember. So when discussions began about introducing a new sport to campus, esports immediately came to mind. After several years of planning and persistence, he and his team were thrilled to receive approval to launch the program.

According to the coaches, the program creates meaningful opportunities to bring people together, foster collaboration and develop essential skills that go beyond gaming, but skills that support success in academics, careers and life overall.

“My passion for gaming has been a lifelong pursuit, which led me to seize the opportunity to help launch our institution’s esports program. This role is deeply meaningful to me as it allows me to contribute to building a legacy that will endure for years to come, fostering a sense of community and excellence among our student-athletes,” said Sullins. 

For Sullins, the most rewarding part of coaching is watching students from diverse backgrounds come together as a team and build lasting friendships throughout the season. Like any competitive sport, esports comes with challenges, player burnout being one of the most prominent in gaming. Due to the intensive nature of the game, Sullins focuses on managing practice schedules to protect players’ well-being and maintain their performance.

He takes pride in the team’s accomplishments during its inaugural fall and spring seasons. Despite being a new program, BSCC’s players competed in six NJCAAE tournaments and earned multiple regional placements, including first, second and third-place finishes. Looking ahead, Sullins hopes to lead the team to a national championship, expand the roster to more than 40 players, and upgrade the arena with modern furniture and equipment to enhance the player experience.

For Avery, the most fulfilling part of coaching is contributing to the growth and success not only of the players, but of everyone the program touches. He said the impact of esports clearly extends beyond the game.

“We had an outstanding first year in the league, surpassing many of our initial goals,” Avery said. “From placing in regionals to competing against some of the top players and teams in the nation at nationals, our progress has been both exciting and inspiring.”

The BSCC team played Mario Kart, Rainbow Six Siege, Call of Duty: Gunfight and Madden in the NJCAAE this last school year.

“Working with the NJCAAE has been a truly positive experience. They’ve done an excellent job supporting us throughout the launch and development of our program, ensuring we had the resources and guidance needed to succeed in the league. Any questions we’ve had were addressed promptly and clearly, making the process smooth and accessible,” said Avery. “Beyond the logistics, we’ve built meaningful relationships—with staff at the NJCAAE, fellow coaches, and even players from other teams. It’s been great to see our players continue conversations and build camaraderie with their peers outside of official competition, further strengthening the sense of community that esports fosters.”

For the 2025-2026 school year, the coaches and their team are planning to secure a national title, grow the program, and enhance their arena space. It is important to both Avery and Sullins that their team has a space to reflect their hard work and dedication to esports. 

Outside of esports, both coaches enjoy spending time with family and friends. Sullins’ young son, Odin, is the joy of his life, and naturally, both coaches still make time for gaming.

Avery ended by expressing gratitude for the team and his assistant coach.

“I would like to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved in our esports program. I truly don’t know where we would be without the leadership of Coach Ben Sullins and the incredible group of players we’ve brought together. The time, effort, and unwavering dedication that have gone into building and sustaining the success of our program have been nothing short of exceptional,” said Avery.