FLCC Esports Hosts Red Jacket Students for REBOOT Program Experience
CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. - Finger Lakes Community College Esports kicked off a new esports student-athlete initiative on Monday, welcoming Manchester-Shortsville (Red Jacket) high-school students to the Canandaigua campus for a high-impact visit that could shape the future of scholastic esports across New York State.
Christopher Hall; ESSEF Board Member, Esports Coach, and Business and Marketing Education Teacher at Red Jacket Middle/High School (Manchester-Shortsville Central School District) brought ten students to FLCC to participate in the REBOOT program, designed and written by Michael Van Etten to support esports student-athlete education targeting life skills and college preparation.
"My mission as a High School educator is to support my students in their journey towards a career pathway in areas that interest them while developing their skills along the way. Having Professor Van Etten and the FLCC Esports program available to our District conveniently extends that mission to our graduates, while offering so much more. We are fortunate to have such a willing post-secondary academic partner in our community. My students had a wonderful time on their tour and visit. We can't wait to return in 2027!" - Christopher Hall
Students were taught lessons about grit and resilience while playing modified Smash Bros. Ultimate matches and Mario Kart World races, and then learned about teamwork and collaboration while participating in a collective timed Minecraft Education build of their mascot, the Cardinal.
"Esports students have a unique opportunity to learn valuable skills and lessons through the medium of video gaming and just need to be guided a little further on how to apply those same skills and lessons to experiences outside of the game." - Professor Michael Van Etten, Faculty and Director of Esports at FLCC.
Students also met Matt Allen from the admissions office, and were welcomed by Dr. Samantha Boccacino, Nick Julien, and Devin Cannon from the FLCC Athletics administrative team.
A Powerhouse Program Meets a Growing Statewide Movement
The timing of the visit is no coincidence. FLCC Esports currently holds five NJCAAe Division III National Championship titles in Rainbow Six Siege, Mario Kart 8 DX, Fortnite Build Duos, Fortnite Zero Build Duos, and League of Legends. The program competes across more than 26 team, duo, and solo titles through the National Junior College Athletics Association Esports League (NJCAAe).
The ESSEF (Empire State Scholastic Esports Federation), founded by New York State educators and operating as a free-to-join 501(c)(3) nonprofit, serves K-12 students across public, private, and charter schools throughout the state. Its mission - to use esports to encourage community involvement, academic achievement, and career development in youth within a safe, equitable, and inclusive environment - resonates strongly with FLCC's own program philosophy. Both organizations expressed enthusiasm for continued dialogue around K-12-to-college esports pathways, recruitment pipelines, shared events, and community outreach in the near future.
About FLCC Esports
Finger Lakes Community College Esports is the competitive and community gaming program of FLCC Athletics in Canandaigua, New York. The Lakers compete in the NJCAAe and other nationally accredited intercollegiate leagues across more than 26 titles. The program has earned five NJCAAe DIII National Championship titles and is one of the only programs in the region to offer academic credit for esports participation. Learn more at www.flccesports.com.
Photo Credit - Alyssa LeGrette