Meet Tymir “CIPROCATE” Jones, a junior Finance major and captain of the Rocket League Varsity team. A former Rookie of the Year and MVP, Tymir recently achieved a major milestone by becoming the #1 NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) earner for the CSU Esports team in the nation. He secured $2,000 in earnings, helping to raise funds for the program. Outside of esports, he enjoys basketball and streetwear.

CSU Esports congratulates Michael Berkley and Sagan Woolner on their graduation in December 2025. Both students have been with the program since its inception in 2022 and were instrumental in building it from the ground up. Sagan contributed as a member of the Overwatch team, while Michael competed in Smash Ultimate. The program thanks them for their dedication and lasting impact.

CSU’s CS:GO Club team reached the NECC Division 2 Grand Finals on December 3rd after an undefeated 7-0 regular season. Following playoff wins against Washtenaw CC and Minnesota State, the team lost a competitive 0-3 series to Robert Morris University in the finals (14-16, 8-13, 9-13). The team is proud of the performance and is now aiming for promotion to Division 1 next season.

The Cleveland Clinic returned to the CSU Esports lab for a seminar led by Jason Cruickshank, a physical therapist specializing in esports. The session focused on mental health, teaching Varsity and Club players techniques for recovering from loss, managing anger through breathing exercises, and overcoming imposter syndrome. The team remains committed to holistic player health and looks forward to future visits.

On November 21st, CSU hosted its first collegiate PUBG Mobile tournament against Indiana University of Indianapolis. The CSU club team dominated the series with a 3-0 sweep, posting lopsided scores of 40-6, 40-13, and 40-9. The team celebrated the victory with food from Rascal House and received prizes including t-shirts, posters, and a trophy.

CSU Esports traveled to South Bend, Indiana, for the GLEC 2025 Fall Finals and secured two conference championships. The Smash Ultimate team finished an undefeated season by beating Illinois Wesleyan, while the Valorant Varsity team defeated Tiffin University to earn a bid to the CECC Nationals in Texas. The League of Legends team finished as runners-up. Standout individual performances included Scottie “Dr. Kirb” Wade and Ziyeir “Exquisitely” Norman.

CSU's Super Smash Bros. Ultimate team dominated the "Livyzone" tournament on November 9th, with three players placing in the top eight. Scott “Dr. Kirb” Wade (Falco) took 1st place, Cory “Arctic” Brotosky (ROB) took 2nd, and Victor “Dreamless” Marcelo (Mii Brawler) finished 4th. The event also raised $310 for the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter.

CSU’s Overwatch Academy team won the NACE East 3 Conference Championship after an undefeated regular season. In the Grand Finals, the team rallied from an 0-2 deficit to pull off a dramatic 3-2 reverse sweep. The roster, including captain Gabby Palmer and players like Collin Briggs and Sagan Woolner, credited their "team synergy and good vibes" for the comeback victory.

New exterior digital displays have been installed outside the CSU Esports Lab. These high-definition screens showcase varsity match highlights and team photos to anyone passing by. They also serve as an information hub, featuring QR codes that link directly to the team's Discord, shop, sign-up forms, and Linktree, making it easier than ever for students to connect with the program.

Meet Gabby “ShamWow” Palmer, a junior Music Composition and English Creative Writing major from Fairport Harbor, Ohio. As the captain and Flex Support player for the Overwatch Academy team, she helped lead her squad to victory in the NACE East Grand Finals. Beyond competition, Gabby is passionate about performing in musicals and crafting. She is also known for her love of sharks and cherishes the fun bonding moments with her teammates at events like the GLEC Spring Finals.