A Look Into Esports at Marist
A photo of Aiden Joyner, a member of the Overwatch team. As well as the Secretary of the Esports Club. Photo courtesy of Aiden Joyner '28
The Marist Esports teams are full of passionate players who love the games they play as well as the sense of community that comes from being part of the teams. Spanning more than five teams of multiple players each, the Esports club has seen success in both regional and national leagues, while also celebrating the community that comes with professional gaming.
“Everybody kind of knows what to do based on instinct,” said Andrew Chiafullo ‘26, who plays on Marist’s “Rocket League” team. “The team is friendly; guys and I enjoy chatting with them and being around them.”
Marist’s Esports club uses a tryout system, in which students attend tryouts and get placed on a team. When Chiafullo was a freshman, he was originally looking to join Marist’s “Super Smash Bros.” team, but did not make the cut. Now, in his senior year, he ultimately landed on Marist’s team for “Rocket League.”
The “Rocket League” team competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), a local conference that hosts teams from the northeast region. They also compete in the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC), which is similar to the MAAC but hosts players from across North America, featuring over 400 colleges and universities.
In April, the “Rocket League” team will also compete in a LAN Tournament in Maryland, an in-person competition with teams throughout the division.
Aiden Joyner ‘28 is another member of the Marist Esports, playing for the “Overwatch” team and serving as the club secretary.
“My favorite part of being on an Esports team in general is the sense of community we have here,” said Joyner. “It’s a nice community of people who are not just interested in the games they play but the competition and the camaraderie that comes with competing in any sort of sport.”
Joyner started playing “Overwatch” around 2020-2021. He tried out for the “Overwatch” team as a freshman and started out playing for the substitute team. Then, towards the end of the freshman year, he started getting more play time on the main team.
Joyner also shared one of his favorite moments on the team, where members were invited to a West Point Invitational Tournament. Usually, tournaments for “Overwatch” are online, which made the experience unique. There, the Red Foxes took home a first-place trophy, serving as a highlight of many players’ careers.
The “Overwatch” team also competes in the MAAC and the NECC. In the MAAC, they are currently 4-0, and in the NECC, they are 5-2.
Thomas Coyle ‘26 originally found out about his initial tryout while at a volleyball tryout. In which he decided to try out for the “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” team, where he later became the captain. Team captains have more responsibilities and are accountable for how practices and games go, while also making sure players are practicing and performing to the best of their ability.
“I think anybody could join and still feel welcomed in the group right off the bat,” said Coyle.
The “Smash” team mainly competes in the MAAC. This season, they are going to the playoffs and are looking to bring home a regional win.
It is clear that no matter the team, Marist Esports teams are full of passionate players who love the games they play and the competition that comes with it.