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Student is locked in playing video games in a dark Esports lounge

A New Kind of Team Spirit: A Look Inside the Curry Esports Program

From late-night practices to major university matchups, Curry’s Esports team is redefining how students connect and compete.

  • November, 4, 2025

Competitive gaming is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. Esports has transformed from a simple hobby into a global phenomenon, and at Curry College, it gives students a new way to compete and feel a sense of belonging.

For Marvin Ssebagala ’26, a Resident Assistant, member of the Public Health Club, Equestrian Club, and a full-time student double-majoring in Public Health and Psychology, Esports became more than competition. It became home.

Inclusive by Design

Curry Esports isn’t about tryouts or rankings. It’s about passion, potential, and mostly, having fun. “You don’t need to have experience in competitive gaming to be a part of the Esports team. That’s what makes it so special,” Marvin said. “We’ll teach you and we’ll help you. If you want to feel like you belong somewhere, Esports is where it’s at.”

What makes the program special has nothing to do with the games, and everything to do with the people.

“I consider my teammates my best friends,” Marvin said. “We’re together in class, in the Student Center, and in the Esports lounge. Even off campus, we go to games, intramurals, and dinners together. It’s more than a team. It’s family.”

ESports Team Poses in the ESports Lounge

A Drive to Go Further

Once Nakayla arrived, she and Gio naturally found ways to support each other. Gio helped her get settled in and find her way around campus, while Nakayla encouraged him to branch out beyond soccer. Watching her become an RA inspired him to do the same. “I wasn’t really in touch with the school besides soccer,” he said. “I wanted to be part of the community.”

Side by Side

Now, a couple of years later, both Nakayla and Gio have found their own rhythm. Nakayla is working on campus in the mail room and thriving in her forensic science major—a path she’s passionate about. Gio has wrapped up his final soccer season as a Curry Colonel and is looking ahead to graduation. “Curry College has been a good fit for us as siblings,” said Nikayla, “because honestly, it brought us closer together.”

Nakayla with her professor in the forensics lab

“If I went to a different school, I wouldn’t have as much support as I do now. Curry College is my second home.”

Nakayla Centeio ’27

Room to Grow

Gio and Nakayla expanded their circles, tackled new challenges, and grew even closer as siblings. At Curry, no matter where you start, there’s always room to go further.

A New Kind of Team Spirit: A Look Inside the Curry Esports Program