������Ƶ Esports is adding firepower to its competitive lineup with the introduction of Marvel Rivals. After overwhelming student interest, the fast-paced, team-based title is now an official part of the program — launching with three full team rosters in its inaugural season.

The decision came after ����ٳٱ�����Բ�’s&�Բ�����;Overwatch 2 team explored its competitive direction for the Spring season. While Overwatch 2 remains available for players who want to compete, the majority of the team chose to focus on Marvel Rivals — a game that has quickly gained traction in the collegiate scene. The shift resulted in the largest Esports tryout in Kettering history, with 23 students participating. As a result, Kettering is now home to three Marvel Rivals teams, each ready to take on the growing collegiate competition.

Marvel Rivals is a fast-paced 6v6 team-based player versus player (PvP) shooter featuring iconic Marvel superheroes and villains. Players engage in dynamic battles across various Marvel multiverse locations, choosing from a growing roster of characters, including Spider-Man, Captain America, and Iron Man. The game also highlights some of Marvel’s more niche and fan-favorite characters, including Squirrel Girl and Jeff the Land Shark, giving players a wide range of play styles and personalities to choose from.

“From the moment we started talking about Marvel Rivals, the energy was different,” said Dan Nowaczyk, ������Ƶ’s Director of Esports. “Players were excited. They were engaged. It was clear that this was the game they wanted to compete in. Our program is built to give students that opportunity.”

����ٳٱ�����Բ�’s&�Բ�����;Marvel Rivals teams will make their tournament debut this month, competing in an event hosted by the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC). With collegiate interest in Marvel Rivals rapidly growing since the game’s December 2024 launch, Kettering is stepping in as an early contender in the emerging space.

This isn’t the only expansion for Kettering Esports. The program is also adding Deadlock, a tactical third-person shooter with multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) elements, and preparing a World of Warcraft Mythic+ team to compete at the highest level of play.

Since its first competitive season in 2020, Kettering Esports has grown from three game titles and 20 players to 10 titles and nearly 100 competitors. More than just a competitive program, esports at Kettering brings together students across academic terms, forging friendships, leadership skills, and a strong sense of community.

“Winning is great, but for me, Esports is about something bigger,” Nowaczyk said. “It’s about teamwork, personal growth, and giving students something they can take pride in. That’s why we have a near 99% retention and graduation rate — this program is more than competition; it’s a support system.”

Kettering Esports is always looking for new talent. If you're ready to compete, build lifelong connections, and push your skills to the next level, visit ������Ƶ Esports.

������Ƶ is proud to announce the appointment of Coach Dan Nowaczyk as Director of Esports. Nowaczyk’s appointment comes after five years of leadership and dedication, during which he has been instrumental in expanding the program's scope and impact. This move illustrates the University's commitment to the growing Esports program.

Leveling up from its early days when it included three game titles and 20 participants, the Esports program has rapidly grown under Nowaczyk's skillful leadership. It now hosts six major game titles and nearly 100 players. His style emphasizes succeeding competitively and creating educational and community engagement opportunities. “The growth of everything is 1,000% a team effort,” Nowaczyk said. “It’s a ‘we’ or ‘us’ thing for sure, not just with myself and our Esports athletes, but working with academic departments, University events, admissions, financial aid, and everyone else on campus.”

Under Nowaczyk's leadership, the program has introduced Esports scholarships and summer camps, boosting the team’s student enrollment and engagement. “Esports scholarships have helped grow the organization; they have allowed students to come here knowing they’re getting a fantastic education while also being able to compete in something they are incredibly passionate about,” Nowaczyk explained.

Nowaczyk’s commitment extends beyond Kettering’s campus; his work includes community partnerships and mentorship programs, notably in local high schools and with the Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village. “The Esports summer camp we run has shown prospective students what working in a collegiate environment is like,” he said, highlighting the program's role in educating future generations about the potential of Esports participation in college.

Miranda Martin ’25 (Computer Science) joined the Esports team as a freshman and currently plays “Overwatch 2.”  “Coach Dan has been an absolutely amazing influence on my development as an Esports player, a leader, and as a student in general at Kettering,” Martin said. “He has taught me the importance of different teaching styles with different personality types, how to encourage others, and how to cultivate a healthy team environment.”

Nowaczyk has expanded the Esports program to include community partnerships and mentoring for high school students, significantly elevating the culture within Kettering's Esports community. “Student acknowledgment and respect for Esports has steadily grown within Kettering itself,” Martin said. “Coach Dan has been integral in the program. Honestly, joining the team is one of the best decisions I have made at Kettering.”

Looking to the future, Nowaczyk is enthusiastic about further enhancing Kettering’s Esports landscape. “We will be more involved with the K-12 Esports scene this next year,” he said. “We’re excited for our 24-hour ExtraLife event in November to raise money for Hurley Children’s Hospital. If we hit our donation goal, I’ll get a tattoo designed by the kids at the hospital.”

Nowaczyk's new position as Director of Esports at ������Ƶ is not just a role; it's a commitment to his vision and the collaborative efforts of the Kettering community. His leadership inspires a culture of excellence, inclusion, and growth, ensuring Kettering remains at the forefront of the collegiate Esports movement.