HICKORY, N.C. — At age 17, James Glazebrooks didn't have a clear home or direction.

"I was always smart enough and capable, but I had been told for so long I couldn't do anything and I wouldn't succeed," Glazebrooks said. "I hit absolute rock bottom and turned it around. I embraced the idea that only I could fix my life and make it better, and the military gave me the opportunity to do that."

After graduating from high school, Glazebrooks found a new life in the Air Force, and now he brings that same drive and passion from the military to the Catawba Valley Community College Esports program.

Despite struggling academically early in high school, Glazebrooks powered through his adversity and graduated as salutatorian three months early before eventually enlisting in the Air Force.

It was there that he found his calling.

"I found a purpose," Glazebrooks said of serving in the Air Force. "They taught me self esteem, self worth and later leadership in the Air Force. I was a front line supervisor."

Glazebrooks was an honor graduate out of basic training and eventually graduated top of his class in leadership school in the Air Force.

He made staff sergeant at age of 22 in one of the lowest promotion rates in the position in three decades.

Glazebooks was a part of three different combat operations — Odyssey Dawn, Unified Protector and Enduring Freedom — and he visited 21 different countries, living in three, including Italy.

During his time in the Air Force, Glazebrooks bonded with his fellow airmen, including Senior Airman SRA Bryce Powers. The two shared a unique bond in their love of the video game League of Legends.

"What kept me from trying to play League professionally was being in the military," Glazebrooks said. "I played actively throughout my military career. One of the first things (Powers) and I did was play League of Legends together."

Unfortunately, Powers — whom Glazebrooks had mentored — eventually lost his life in combat. Glazebrooks flew 3,600 miles from Italy to Virginia and drove to Charlotte to deliver the Powers' remains to his mother. He stood vigil over Powers' casket for three days.

Glazebrooks calls the moment one of his hardest in the military, but also the one he is most proud of.

"(Powers') mother didn't want an honor guard. She wanted me (to deliver his remains) because I trained him," Glazebrooks said. "I lived with him. We were best friends. He was one of my boys."

Glazebooks finished his time in the Air Force as a munitions specialist where he built, tested and deployed explosives, but due to a number of injuries sustained in the field, Glazebrooks was honorably discharged for the military.

Searching for his new life post-military, Glazebrooks has enrolled in the Information Systems Technology program at CVCC with goal of working remotely on programming. He's also in the Vocational Rehabilitation Program where he is able to work around his disabilities.

"I don't want to just coast on free checks," he said. "I want to work and contribute to society."

This past summer, Glazebrooks approached CVCC Esports head coach Cody Dalton with the idea of starting a League of Legends team for the first time in school history.

"I was hesitant at first because I didn't know much about League of Legends, but I saw the passion and drive James had for the game and I was sold," Dalton said. "We were able to piece together a unique roster of five student athletes and compete in the National Association of College Esports — NACE — for the first time this fall. James and his teammates — Liam Carlton, Phillip Nguyen, Allane Lor and Jewel Weaver —have exceeded all expectations."

Glazebrooks says there are a lot of similarities between being an airmen in the Air Force and competing in League of Legends.

"League of Legends introduces you to high pressure situations where you have to make quick, decisive actions and believe in yourself and your team," Glazebrooks said. "You follow the calls — even if you do it wrong, you do it together and figure it out together."

With Glazebrooks as captain, the Red Hawk League of Legends roster made the NACE Open Plus playoffs for the first time in school history and despite being the No. 72nd seed, the Red Hawks came up one round short of advancing in the first round against a No. 9 seed Emory University.

"James' leadership is second-to-none, and he brings a wealth of knowledge from his military background," Dalton said. "He has risen this fall as one of our emerging leaders in our Red Hawk Esports program. His teammates and peers respect him, and he's made an immediate impact on our program."

Glazebrooks keeps the bond of military and gaming. He remains friends with several of his comrades in arms and continues playing League of Legends with them frequently.

"Through video games, we still get to socialize and hang out," he said. "It provides a tangible relationship from an intangible source. I live on for my friends who can't."