My friend and I tried out my freshmen year. After, we just kept up with announcements and such and would go to NCSU Esports’s GBMs. The previous Valorant Red manager graduated, so there was a manager position and I applied. I’ve been more involved than regular since, and the people are really nice so it’s definitely worth it. The environment/community is good and I like that everyone has clear goals and are always trying to improve

North Carolina State

The above quote is from, Fruba, the manager of the North Carolina State University (NCSU) Valorant team participating in the SEC's Fall 2024 split. NCSU is on the frontline of the collegiate esports scene. Located in Raleigh, the school boasts a student body of around 38,442 according to their admissions office. The school is doubling down on their commitment to the esports program by funding an all new 12 million dollar arena and a 4 million dollar “mobile esports experience” per NCSU’s website. The venue will be located on campus inside of Mann Hall, but will not be opening until late 2026 and replaces the current “NC State Gaming and Esports Lab” that currently resides in the Hunt Library. In an era of infancy for collegiate programs around the country, such a large investment shows the brightness the future holds for the industry as a whole.

The wolfpack are currently competing in the Southern Esports Conferences Fall 2024 Valorant Sol split where they currently rank 2nd within the Nox division and hold a 4-1 record. That only loss coming from the 1st placed team in the Lux division, the Central Florida Knights in week 5 as a 2-0. Overall the Wolfpack have 8 maps won to only 3 maps lost so far within the Sol split. NCSU is sternly in the driver's seat for a guaranteed playoff spot far ahead of the LCQ teams of their division. A lot of that success comes off the back of Tyson “Fast” Dulaney, their initiator who is currently ranked within our top 10 players of the split. Fast currently holds: 4th place based on ACS, 4th on total kills, 3rd for Kill/Death differential, and also 3rd on damage delta. Its statistics like this from multiple members of the team that have given them the ability to play so well. But overall the team is clicking well as a whole. It will be interesting to see how they continue to develop as a squad going into the postseason for this split.

But, what do the players think their success comes from? When talking with Jake “Brietz” Brietz he described why his team is able to perform at such a high level,

“I think that we are all talented players but I think that the time we have spent playing together and growing as a team over the past year+ has made a huge impact. Between scrims, matches and LANs we have grown a lot as a team and I think that it’s a testament to how hard we have worked to get better.”

Needless to say with how NCSU has been rolling, team chemistry isn’t a problem. Brietz, who is the team's sentinel player, is currently a junior at NCSU and has been a member since his freshman year. Brietz also detailed how he feels about representing the wolfpack on the server,

“It means a lot to me to be able to represent my school. I’m a very competitive person and love competing against the other schools we play!”

With a great season going and a bright future ahead, the Wolfpack seems poised to take a portion of collegiate athletics for themselves. Looking ahead to their coming games there is one more in week 6 against the Kentucky Wildcats who are 2-3 coming off a loss from the 5-0 Texas Longhorns. The wildcats are neck and neck in their division and tied for 3rd with Tennessee. Kentucky needs a win to avoid LCQ, NCSU needs a win to make their season all that much more impressive. Currently the game is schedule to be played on the 17th at 7pm.

Thank you to Fruba and Brietz for taking their time to answer questions for this article!