THE FOLLOWING IS A DANVILLE AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE RELEASE
DANVILLE –Danville Area Community College’s (DACC) eSports program has captured its fourth NJCAAE national championship, proving once again that talent, strategy, and teamwork can overcome size and budget. Competing against top-tier programs like Marshalltown Community College—whose team includes 14 game-specific coaches and two head coaches—DACC’s small but mighty team took home its second consecutive national title in Mario Kart 4v4.
“Our players have shown that you don’t need to be the biggest to be the best,” said Michael “Guido” Esteves, Director of Audio, eSports, and Community Engagement at DACC and head coach of the eSports team. “The beauty of eSports is that even a smaller program like ours can hang with—and beat—bigger programs. Mario Kart 4v4 involves not just good driving skill but a lot of team communication and tactics. And our team has mastered both.”
This year’s national championship roster features four of the top ten Mario Kart players in the country. Team Captain Michael “D.C.” Canady, a three-time national champion, claimed the 2023 Mario Kart Singles National title. He was followed by teammate William “Moses” Landis, who secured the 2024 Singles National Championship. Braden Bulla finished third in the Regional Mario Kart PS Singles competition this spring, and Tyler Mahoney also emerged as a consistent national-level performer. Together, this group brought home DACC’s fourth national eSports title and continued to build the College’s reputation as a powerhouse in the growing field of collegiate gaming.
Canady, who graduates this spring, will continue his connection to the team by returning next year as DACC’s first alumni eSports coach. “Esports at Danville Area Community College has been an amazing thing for me,” said Canady. “I’ve made new friends, honed my skills with a great team of players, and made some great memories. Our focus has always been student success first. I like to think our competitive success is a byproduct of that.”
Throughout the 2024-25 season, the DACC team competed in seven different game titles. These included Mario Kart and Mario Kart 4v4, Super Smash Bros. and Smash Bros. Crew (3v3), Rocket League, Marvel Rivals, and Apex Legends. Each of these games requires not only fast reflexes and gaming knowledge but also high-level communication, strategic thinking, and team coordination—all skills that transfer directly to academic and career success.
DACC’s eSports program began just a few years ago and has quickly grown into a nationally recognized competitor. The team trains in a state-of-the-art eSports lab located on the Danville campus, outfitted with tournament-level PCs, headsets, and gaming chairs. Opened in 2022, the facility provides students with a professional and competitive space to train, bond, and grow. What started as a student-led club has evolved into a scholarship-supported program with national credibility and an inclusive, team-focused culture.
“We’re incredibly proud of what this program has become in such a short time,” said Laura Hensgen, Assistant Vice President of Operations and Marketing at DACC.
“Esports keeps growing. It is a great opportunity for Danville Area Community College to show off our facility while getting the word out about our eSports program and scholarships. Winning a second consecutive national championship is a testament not just to the skill and dedication of our DACC eSports athletes, but also to the exceptional leadership of Guido Esteves. Under his guidance, the Mario Kart 4v4 team developed into a powerhouse of strategy, precision, and teamwork.”
In addition to their national victory, the Jaguars hosted the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) eSports Regional competition this spring in the campus eSports lab. The event welcomed over 200 students from 16 high schools across Illinois. Schools traveled from as far north as Bradley and as far south as Springfield to compete. The Regional gave high school students the opportunity to play in a collegiate-level facility and experience the possibilities of competitive gaming at the next level.
Local talent shone brightly at the event, with Westville High School’s Smash Crew advancing to the IHSA State Finals in Evergreen Park. Hosting the Regional gave DACC a chance to connect with future students and demonstrate its commitment to the eSports community. “We want high school students to see that eSports is a real opportunity,” said Esteves. “At DACC, you can compete at the highest level, earn scholarships, and be part of something bigger—all while getting a college education.”
Scholarships are available to DACC students who want to join the team and compete while working toward a degree. No prior tournament experience is required—just a strong interest in gaming, dedication to teamwork, and a commitment to learning.
As DACC’s eSports program continues to expand, its players remain focused on the core values that started it all: building community, celebrating student success, and pushing each other to be better—on screen and off. With a national championship trophy in hand, a new coach in training, and a growing fan base, DACC eSports is proving that in gaming—as in life—it’s not the size of the team, but the heart, hustle, and headset that make the difference.
For more information about DACC eSports, scholarships, or how to join the team, visit https://dacc.edu/dacc-esports.
Danville Area Community College is a comprehensive community college serving Illinois District 507, which consists of Vermilion County and parts of Champaign, Iroquois, Edgar, and Ford counties. DACC’s main campus is located at 2000 East Main Street, Danville. The College has a higher-learning center in Hoopeston at 847 E. Orange. To apply to DACC, call 217-443-3222 or visit the Web site at www.DACC.EDU.
