HARTSVILLE, S.C. - Before even stepping into the Coker Esports Arena, Michael Ponton's name is in the history books of Coker Athletics as the Navy and Gold's first esports student-athlete.

"I am very excited to have Michael joining us at Coker. He is both an excellent student and an excellent player," says Coker's director of esports, Joseph Rudy.

Ponton is from Bluffton, S.C., where he attends May River High School. He is a member of the esports team and JROTC competitive rifle shooting team for the Sharks. Ponton was a captain of the May River High School esports team, which advanced to the playoffs twice in the High School Esports League. As a Cobra, Ponton will compete in Overwatch at the damage per second (DPS)/flex position.

He is the son of Vicki and Roderick Ponton, and plans to major in computer science at Coker.

"I'm thrilled to be a part of history at Coker College," says Ponton. "I'm extremely grateful for this wonderful opportunity Coker has provided me. I'm looking forward to growing academically and personally as part of a team."

Michael Ponton Highlights                                                                                   Ponton on Signing Day

  
About Coker Esports

Gaming is more than a hobby — it represents community, competition, and passion. Accordingly, Coker College is moving to the forefront of collegiate esports with a varsity team under the Coker Athletics department and unparalleled opportunities for students to take their skills to the next level.

Coker College's inaugural varsity esports team will begin DII competition in the fall of 2018. The college is now recruiting talent for the following 2018-19 rosters:

• League of Legends — a competitive, team-based strategy game

• Overwatch — a multiplayer game of modern warfare

• Hearthstone — a fast-paced, turn-based online card game

To learn more, please contact Coker College's director of esports, Joseph Rudy or fill out a prospective student-athlete form.