Black History
PRESS ROOM: Southern University First HBCU to Win a National Title
NNPA NEWSWIRE — “This is a monumental moment for Southern University and the entire HBCU landscape. We aren’t just participating in esports; we are setting the standard. I would like to thank God first for this win. This victory was a team effort that required total commitment to the plan. I want to recognize Mahcoe Edwards, an alumnus of our program who has secured $25,000 in prizes during his collegiate career; Jaeveon Jordan, a Graduate Student at Alabama A&M University and 3x SWAC Madden Champion; and Civ, owner of Civil.gg. This was the team that designed our game plan. By diligently watching film and following the blueprint we created, we achieved success.”
History has been made. In a display of unmatched skill, resilience, and strategic preparation, Southern University has been crowned the ECAC EA Sports College Football National Champion.
This victory is not merely a triumph of the controller; it is the culmination of a deliberate, sophisticated vision. Inside the Esports Innovation Lab, the Southern University Digital Gaming Ecosystem (EDGE) has successfully cultivated an environment where student-athletes compete at the highest level, proving that Jaguar excellence has no ceiling.
The championship series was a grueling battle, pushed to a deciding fifth game against a formidable Bellarmine University side. With the national title on the line, Coby “KingCoby” Robinson delivered a masterclass performance. Utilizing the Texas Longhorns, Robinson outdueled his opponent—who played as Oregon—in a high-stakes 38-29 victory to clinch the series 3-2.
Christopher Turner, Director and Head Coach of Southern University EDGE, reflected on the monumental achievement and the collaborative effort behind it:
“This is a monumental moment for Southern University and the entire HBCU landscape. We aren’t just participating in esports; we are setting the standard. I would like to thank God first for this win. This victory was a team effort that required total commitment to the plan. I want to recognize Mahcoe Edwards, an alumnus of our program who has secured $25,000 in prizes during his collegiate career; Jaeveon Jordan, a Graduate Student at Alabama A&M University and 3x SWAC Madden Champion; and Civ, owner of Civil.gg. This was the team that designed our game plan. By diligently watching film and following the blueprint we created, we achieved success.”
This national title serves as a powerful statement on the vital importance of HBCUs embracing and investing in the esports industry. It underscores that by providing the right infrastructure, mentorship, and analytical resources, HBCU programs can stand toe-to-toe with any institution in the country, further expanding the opportunities for our students in the evolving digital and STEM-based landscapes.
Southern University has proven that when preparation meets opportunity, history follows. Today, the entire nation knows that Jaguar excellence is the new benchmark for collegiate esports.
About Southern University Esports (EDGE)
Southern University’s Digital Gaming Ecosystem exists to prove that Jaguar excellence has no ceiling. Through competitive gaming, content creation, and STEAM-based career development, EDGE prepares students for the evolving digital landscape while writing new chapters in HBCU history.
