Instititution Spotlight - Hocking College
Mia White
Oct 4, 2024
Last week, Mia White, NJCAAE’s Digital Marketing Manager, visited Hocking College for a behind-the-scenes tour of its esports arena. During the tour, she spoke with co-coaches Jared Belin and Owen Gaddis, along with players Dalton Evans and Logan Vincent. Hocking College, located in Nelsonville, Ohio, has been a member of the NJCAAE since 2020.
The program is currently undergoing renovations.
“I have been part of the NJCAAE since spring 2022. This is my last semester, and I’m more excited than ever because of the renovations, the new coaches, and the big things happening here,” Vincent said. “I look forward to this place being complete. Soon, it will feel like a whole new space, and I hope it attracts more people. I want to see this program excel.”
Coach Belin has served as co-coach for the past eight months and has big dreams for the program. As a gamer himself, he understands the importance of creating a comfortable and inviting space for players.
“Few people outside the industry understand this generation of esports students. It’s important to educate people on why esports are valuable and worth students' time,” Belin said. “The students count on us. When my co-coach and I first took our roles, we sat down with Logan to develop a game plan, and his face lit up. Seeing the progress we’ve made has been incredibly meaningful to us. The students are the best part of this job.”
Hocking College, home of the Hawks, is preparing for a season of transformation with new blue walls, fresh coaching talent, and eager players. As renovations continue, excitement builds within the program. “We can’t wait to see this space completed,” Vincent said. With all these changes on the horizon, stay tuned for the revitalization of not just the arena, but the entire team as they enter this exciting new chapter.
