After seven years of modest national presence, Trine Esports just capped off its most dominant season yet, clinching four national championships in a single academic year, including back-to-back titles in Overwatch. The turnaround? A $multi-million, state-of-the-art esports facility that opened last fall—now the envy of collegiate gaming programs across the country.

“This was by far our best year,” said Jeremy Goossens, Trine’s Director of Esports. “It wasn’t just luck. This facility changed everything.”

From Dorm Rooms to National Spotlight

Before 2024, most Trine Esports athletes competed under typical constraints—remote play from dorm rooms, no in-person coaching, and limited fan engagement.

That all changed with the opening of Trine’s new esports complex—a sprawling, tech-forward arena outfitted with high-end gaming PCs, performance seating, team communication pods, and dedicated space for fans. The physical upgrade was immediate, but the psychological shift may have mattered even more.

“Usually, when you compete, you’re isolated with just your team,” Goossens explained. “But now, they’re playing in front of a live audience. Friends, families, other students. That support became a secret weapon.”

A Facility Built for Champions

Trine’s new esports arena doesn’t just look good—it plays well, too. Designed to mirror professional-level standards, the space offers optimal conditions for high-stakes competition. The architecture focuses on flow, visibility, and energy: LED walls, broadcast booths, audio mixing stations, and tiered spectator seating.

Collegiate programs across the country are racing to build similar setups, but Trine got there early.

“It’s one of the best in the whole country,” Goossens said. “And it’s raised the bar for what’s possible in collegiate esports.”

Since the facility’s debut, Trine’s teams have gone on an unprecedented tear—winning national championships in four different esports titles, with Overwatch leading the charge.

Trine Esports 2024–25 National Championships:

*Note: League of Legends team narrowly missed a national title but achieved highest finish in program history.

Brotherhood, Banter, and Building a Winning Culture

Players credit more than high-end equipment. The new space allowed them to bond like never before. With a central hub for strategy sessions, casual hangs, and late-night scrims, Trine’s esports athletes evolved from individual gamers into something resembling a professional sports franchise.

“A lot of these guys are some of my closest friends,” said Logan Gault, a member of the Overwatch team. “That’s what made it all possible—our chemistry, our laughs, our drive. We wanted to win together.”

His teammate, Hudson Kelly, agreed. “Winning two championships was awesome. But it mattered who we won it with. I think we had the perfect squad.”

The sentiment reflects a broader shift in how esports is perceived. No longer just about mechanical skill or meta knowledge, top-tier gaming is now about synergy, psychology, and the human element.

A Competitive Spark That Spreads

Goossens notes that success in one title can ignite rivalries—and raise standards—within the program.

“You watch the Valorant team win a title, and suddenly the Overwatch guys are hungry,” he said. “Ego kicks in. Pride kicks in. They’re practicing harder. They want their own moment.”

It’s the kind of internal competition that elite athletic departments dream of. And for Trine, it’s a blueprint they now plan to replicate across all future teams.

Already, Goossens says the program is seeing a surge in recruitment inquiries—from high school seniors, junior college transfers, and even international players looking to join a winning culture.

“We’ve always been on the map. But now we’re attracting talent,” he said. “Players want to be here.”

The Next Phase: Scaling, Branding, and Broadcast

While the trophies speak for themselves, Trine’s next phase could be even more strategic.

With the hardware in place, Goossens is working with university leadership to expand the program’s media reach. That includes Twitch broadcasting, YouTube recaps, podcast commentary, and even on-campus watch parties designed to blend school spirit with gamer culture.

“People underestimate how powerful this is for student engagement,” he said. “Our players are getting recognition on campus like football players. It’s a real community shift.”

Trine is also eyeing potential partnerships with sponsors and tech brands—leveraging their facility and winning streak as a marketing platform for esports gear, energy drinks, and online services.

“We’ve got eyes on us now. It’s time to capitalize,” Goossens said.