Baker College’s esports program, The Swarm, is making major waves this fall by competing on national stages, expanding its roster, and continuing to prove why it’s one of the top collegiate esports programs in the country. This season, The Swarm welcomed a new Rocket League team, joining returning powerhouse squads like the VALORANT varsity team. Competing across three major national leagues (the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC), the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), and the PlayVS College League), The Swarm is finishing the regular season with standout records and postseason momentum.

NECC:

The Swarm began their fall 2025 season with their VALORANT team heading into the National Esports Collegiate Conference Placement Tournament. After finishing as the Runner-Ups in the Division 1 Championships last Spring, The Swarm was on pace to once again be placed in the top division of the NECC.

After being scheduled against Converse University and Conestoga College, The Swarm were able to pick up two great victories, securing their place in the top NECC division.

Many familiar faces filled their Division 1 conference in the NECC this Fall, but that did not stop The Swarm from getting off to a clean start, picking up convincing wins against Conestoga College, Texas A&M University, Converse University, and California State Polytechnic University, only dropping a single series to Fisher College throughout the entire regular season. In the end, The Swarm finished with a 6-1 record, sending them into the NECC postseason as the #2 seed, with their first round playoff matchup against the University of Akron.

NACE:

The newest team to The Swarm in Rocket League began their inaugural season with the National Association of College Esports. Competing in the Varsity Plus Division, the team was placed in the East 8 Conference.

Matching the VALORANT team, the Rocket League team started just as hot, picking up wins against Grand Valley State University, Howard Payne University, Ferris State University, Wayland Baptist University, and Highland College Community, also with an amazing reverse sweep victory against the University of Jamestown. At the conclusion of the regular season, The Swarm finished undefeated as the #1 seed heading into the playoffs. Following their first round bye, The Swarm will take on Northeast State Community College in the Varsity Plus Semifinals.

PlayVS:

Previously known as the Playfly College Esports competition, The Swarm VALORANT team additionally competed in the PlayVS College League Premier Division this semester. Establishing a track record of an undefeated regular season in previous semesters, The Swarm had a big standard to maintain, and they succeeded. The team defeated all of their conference opponents in Keiser University, Rowan University, the University of Central Florida, Brock University, Louisiana State University, and Tiffin University.

The Swarm is expected to receive a top seed heading into the PlayVS postseason, setting themselves up well to qualify for the in-person PCL Championships held in Akron, Ohio later in December. The top 8 teams across the Premier Division will be invited to participate in the championships, with The Swarm only needing to win a single playoff match in the Round of 15 later this month to qualify.

DreamHack Collegiate Invitational:

One of the biggest gaming festivals in the United States, DreamHack, hosted a Collegiate Invitational for their event held in Atlanta, Georgia across the first weekend of November, inviting the top collegiate Rocket League and VALORANT teams in the nation to compete. Due to The Swarm’s reputation and continued competitive success, the VALORANT team was invited to participate alongside 7 of the other top collegiate VALORANT teams.

The Swarm was placed in a group with Maryville University, Kennesaw State University, and Stony Brook University. The VALORANT team got off to a slow start against Maryville, dropping their first game of the tournament. Their next match against Kennesaw State was a back and forth dogfight that went to the very final round, with The Swarm falling just short in the end. In their final match, The Swarm went into overtime against Stony Brook, eventually pulling out the victory, ending their day on a high note. Sadly, VALORANT team did not move onto the next round of the tournament.

It was an incredible opportunity for Baker to be recognized as having one of the top collegiate VALORANT teams and to be invited to participate in the biggest college event of the fall semester.

As The Swarm continues their postseason play, the program’s rapid growth and national recognition reflect Baker College’s commitment to innovation, teamwork, and student excellence in and out of the classroom. The future is bright for The Swarm, and they’re just getting started.