Pearl River Community College's athletics department is expanding into a new frontier with the addition of eSports ahead of the 2025-26 school year.

River Roderick will lead the launch of the program. Roderick is an experienced, nationally-ranked gamer and is also a Marketing Specialist at the institution. He specializes in photography and videography.

"My goal is to bring my love for gaming and creative skills to the eSports program, helping students not only compete but also enjoy the experience and the connections that come with being part of a team," he said. "My main goal is to win, of course, but what truly excites me about this program is the chance to give students who might not otherwise have an opportunity to be part of a team a space to do so.

"There's something special about the camaraderie that comes from living and competing together, especially on a campus where those connections can last a lifetime. I believe eSports can foster a sense of belonging and teamwork that extends far beyond just the game, and I want to help create that experience for students."

Roderick's team will look to compete in Rocket League, Fortnite, Valorant, Super Smash Bros., NBA 2K and Madden NFL.

Roderick is a Petal native and graduated from Petal High School. He is also a proud graduate of Pearl River Community College. He and his girlfriend, Tarra, reside in Hattiesburg.