Royal Oak, MI — 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.
The VALORANT team closed its NECC regular season at 6–1, earning a #2 playoff seed, while the newly launched Rocket League team stormed into its first NACE postseason undefeated.
Adding to an already electric season, The Swarm was invited to the DreamHack Collegiate Invitational in Atlanta, Georgia which is one of the most prestigious gaming festivals in the world. Representing Baker among the top eight collegiate VALORANT teams nationwide, The Swarm battled through a tough bracket and brought home invaluable experience from the high-profile event.
“It was an incredible opportunity to be invited to compete at DreamHack,” said Henry Johnston, Director of Esports at Baker College. “It’s one of the most storied gaming festivals in the world, so it was very special to have the chance to compete in the same venue at the same time as other top professional esports teams. I am extremely appreciative of the continued support of esports at Baker College, and I am very excited for all that’s to come as we continue to build this program into the future.”
For Nyte “Hyjinx” Kline, a VALORANT player for The Swarm, the experience was equally transformative. “The amount of time and effort put into the design of an event like this is unmatched. DreamHack Atlanta was unforgettable,” Kline shared. “Even though we faced challenges, we still had fun meeting new people and watching other games broadcasted in front of a stage of hundreds. At the end of the day, we are The Swarm, and we buzz together like bees should.”
As The Swarm continues 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.
Baker College is an independent, private, non-profit institution that grants associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees on six campuses across Michigan and online. Founded in 1911, the institution’s mission is to provide an inclusive, innovative, and transformative educational experience, driven by a student-first philosophy. Learn more about the esports program, and follow on X, Meta, and Instagram. Sign up for a club team:Interest Form Stay connected: Esports Discord Follow The Swarm: Social Media