Esports
Master the Game and Unlock New Opportunities
Transform your gaming skills and take your esports journey to the next level at our Esports Pre-College Program, led by expert coaches with collegiate and professional experience in League of Legends and Rocket League. Through expert analysis and hands-on training, whether you’re looking to elevate your gameplay, refine strategies, or improve your in-game mechanics, this program provides personalized coaching tailored to your unique playstyle. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of both micro and macro gameplay elements, increasing your chances of ranking up and improving your overall performance.
Who Should Join?
This program is ideal for students with a basic to intermediate understanding of League of Legends or Rocket League, who are eager to elevate their skills to the next level. Whether you aspire to compete at the professional level, pursue a career in esports, or simply want to improve your gameplay, this program equips you with the knowledge, strategies, and mindset to succeed.
Note: Students will choose to focus on one game title during the program (either League of Legends or Rocket League).
What You’ll Get:
- Personalized Coaching: Receive tailored feedback and actionable tips that focus on improving your specific strengths and weaknesses, from mastering mechanics to refining in-game strategy.
- Game-Specific Mastery: Dive deep into advanced tactics for your chosen game (League of Legends or Rocket League), learning how top-tier players approach challenges and execute high-level strategies.
- Mental and Emotional Skills: Develop self-reflection techniques, manage frustration, and maintain focus during high-stress moments—skills that are vital both in-game and in everyday life.
Beyond Gameplay: Essential Skills for Success
In addition to improving your gaming skills, this program helps prepare you for collegiate and professional opportunities:
- Pathway to College Success: Explore the growing world of collegiate esports and position yourself for college scholarships and esports program opportunities. Participants that successfully complete the program will receive a Certificate of Completion.
- Character Development & Personal Growth: Beyond gameplay, we emphasize student development, mental resilience, sportsmanship, and respectful behavior, helping students grow into well-rounded individuals – important traits for esports athletes and students alike.
- Team Communication & Collaboration: Strengthen your communication and teamwork skills, which are essential for competitive esports and virtually any collaborative environment.
- Time Management & Balance: Learn effective strategies to balance gaming, academics, and personal responsibilities, ensuring you can optimize both your performance and your well-being.
About Rocket League & League of Legends:
League of Legends: Known as the world’s most-watched esports title, League of Legends is also one of the most challenging to master. With its deep strategy, intense competition, and large college recruitment opportunities, it offers players a unique path to both personal and professional development.
Rocket League: A fast-paced, physics-based soccer game with cars, Rocket League has become the number one collegiate esports offering in the U.S. and is one of the fastest-growing games worldwide.
Registration Details:
- June 22-27, 2025
- $1,440
- Pre-College Programs are open to rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
- Price includes lodging, meals, all course materials, activities, and excursions
- A $500 deposit is due upon registration with remaining balance due by May 1, 2025. Click here to see our cancellation policy.
- Students reside in campus residence hall and dine in campus dining hall
- Enrollment is open until spaces are filled
- Registration is through the Camp Doc platform. Detailed registration instructions can be found here.
- Self Reflection and managing frustration
- Team based communication
- Game specific strategy at the professional level
- How collegiate esports works – How to maximize efficiency and time
- In game training
- Personal physical exercises
- How to configure 3rd party tools and analysis for game play
Topics and schedules are subject to change
Sample Schedule:
Morning
- 8 a.m. – Breakfast
- 9 a.m. – Game strategy
- 12 p.m. – Lunch & free time
Afternoon
- 1 p.m. – Team based communication
Evening
- 5 p.m. – Dinner
- 6:30 p.m. – Activities / Recreation / Free Time
Options could include: sand volleyball, Asheville Tourists game, game night, movie - 11 p.m. – Lights out
Topics and schedules are subject to change
Meet Your Faculty
Nick Braylan is a Rocket League professional manager and coach. With over 5 years of experience, Nick has managed and coached various players and rosters from pro, collegiate, and high school. Notably, Nick operated and ran the professional organization True Neutral and True Neutral Academy, helping over 12 players and 4 different rosters hit top 16+ in the RLCS as well as winning the RLCSX in SAM. His Academy is STEM.ORG certified for its inclusivity and success and is the first esports organization to collaborate in an online campaign with UNICEF Argentina.
Mike Islas is a UNCA student (alum) who has hit Challenger top 200 in League of Legends. He has led his team at UNCA to a Big South Championship and works as a professional coach for his players. Mike is best known for his champ picking abilities and team strategy.
Questions? Please contact us at precollege@unca.edu.
