HICKORY, N.C. — Three members of the Catawba Valley Community College Esports team have been named All-Academic by National Junior College Athletic Association Esports (NJCAAE) for the spring 2021 semester.
The Red Hawks' Bradley Jamison, Zan Sanders and Cody Lawing were named NJCAAE All-Academic — the first ever academic honors released by the organization.
"I am extremely proud of Bradley, Zan and Cody for their dedication not only to their respective video game titles, but specifically in the classroom," said Catawba Valley Esports head coach Cody Dalton. "All three student athletes have worked hard and dedicated themselves to being the best students. They've all grown into leaders for our program."
In order to be eligible for the NJCAAE All-Academic honor, student athletes must have achieved a GPA of 3.5 and been listed on the Dean's List at their respective institution for the Spring 2021 semester.
"I'm completely blown away," Sanders said. "I honestly never expected to get an award during my time in college, but I guess it's true that NJCAAE sees us as student athletes. I feel very blessed. I was homeschooled for all of grade school, so really I'd say that this award should go to my mom for being such a great teacher."
Through the NJCAAE, Jamison and Sanders compete in Super Smash Bros, while Lawing is a part of the five-person Valorant team for the Red Hawks.
"I just want to thank CVCC for giving me the opportunity to be able to participate in Esports while continuing my education," Jamison said. "It is a huge honor being named one of the first Red Hawk gamers to receive this NJCAA All-Academic Award. I know there will be many more to come after us, and I hope I am setting a good example for future Red Hawk gamers."
Jamison, Sanders and Lawing were only three of 16 NJCAAE gamers who received the honor — tied for the most of any college.
"Our program and our Red Hawk student athlete gamers pride themselves in breaking the stigma that most gamers have," Dalton said. "These three students have set the bar for future generations of Red Hawk Esports student athletes."