SCC’s Neon Nights Marks New Athletic Chapter
In a landmark moment for Santiago Canyon College (SCC), over 350 attendees gathered for Neon Nights, a dynamic and action-packed eSports Showcase, that marked a major milestone for the college's growing competitive gaming program.
Prior to the event, President Dr. Jeannie Kim officially announced that eSports will now be recognized as an official sport offering in the SCC athletic department.
"We have stepped into the 21st century and eSports will be an official college sport at SCC beginning in Fall 2025," said Kim in her opening remarks.
The addition of eSports, led by Head Coach Roshan Uma, will join SCC's nine intercollegiate athletic programs and compete year-round.
The event featured a variety of showcase matches, with invited participants from Orange Coast College, Long Beach City College, El Modena High School, and Villa Park High School. A major highlight was SCC's Valorant team, which secured a commanding victory over Orange Coast, demonstrating why they're considered SCC's strongest squad. In League of Legends, a newer SCC team put up a strong fight but ultimately fell to Long Beach City, showing promise as they continue to grow.
Super Smash Bros. matches added to the excitement with randomized pairings in pure exhibition format, as SCC continues to develop its official Smash roster. In a promising sign for the program's future, two standout El Modena High School players announced their commitment to join SCC's Smash team upon graduation.
The Esports Showcase was the culmination of five months of planning, made possible through collaboration with UMOJA and the Veterans programs, highlighting SCC's commitment to inclusive, innovative student experiences.
Adding a unique twist to the festivities was the Prompt-a-Thon, an AI-powered competition that drew creative thinkers into a friendly contest of artificial intelligence prompts, blending tech and gaming in a way that reflects the future of education and competition.
SCC's Esports Showcase wasn't just an event—it was a statement. The future of Esports is here, and SCC is ready to lead the way.