• 50°
Jordan Hazuga, from left, Mateo Santigao, Cooper Skelley and Joshua Vannoy proudly show off their championship rings that they received as members of Fusion E-Sports team at Bob Jones High School. CONTRIBUTED

Best in state, Bob Jones E-Sports Fusion claims eye-catching championship rings

MADISON – Four senior boys at Bob Jones High School were all smiles, understandably, when they received their long-awaited championship rings on Sept. 27 for E-Sports state competition with Alabama High School Athletic Association or AHSAA.

The Bob Jones Fusion team had been waiting for their rings since their championship win against Austin High School of Decatur in fall 2020.

Fusion team members are Jordan Hazuga, Mateo Santiago, Cooper Skelley and Joshua Vannoy.

Their handsome gold jewelry resembles a ‘fusion’ of a college class ring and Super Bowl ring. The ring’s face has a field of shiny stones with the number “1” at the center. One side has the person’s last name, outline of the State of Alabama with “1” at the center and “2021.” The other side states “ESPORT” and “BJHS,” along with the game’s tools (keyboard, controllers and headset).

“Players competed on PC through Epic Games’ popular title ‘Rocket League.’ The Bob Jones Fusion team practiced and competed weekly, continuously building their team chemistry and skills, which led to their victory,” Coach Aubree White said. White teaches freshman English and reading lab.

White felt ecstatic when AHSSA approved E-Sports as a varsity sport for high schools. “E-Sports is an avenue that could reach so many students and help them find their place and their people for their high school experience,” White said. “It also opens up pathways for college and careers as many STEM degrees or careers look for students who showcase the skills that these E-Sports players possess.”

As a coach, “I am just incredibly proud of these players . . . especially during a season where things were so unknown at school,” White said. “As we returned from the COVID shutdown, these guys persevered to create that sense of normalcy in their E-Sports routine again.”

“The work they put in and the commitment they showed to improving and staying on top makes me extremely thankful for this program and the opportunities it opens up for our students,” White said.

By participating in E-Sports, a student builds skills in critical thinking, strategy, communication, teamwork and hand-eye coordination, White said.

“I would like to give a huge shoutout and thank you to Posh Mommy and Baby Too! for their donation to help us purchase the state rings. Larry and Lisa Vannoy have been incredibly helpful and supportive throughout many seasons now,” White said. “I would also like to thank Greg Machen for his awesome work on helping us complete our team photo for the fall 2020 season in a safe way. He did a great job at putting those together.”

Bob Jones High School

Local Talent Shines In Alabama Baseball Victory At Toyota Field

Bob Jones High School

Bartlett selected as Executive Director of US Chess Federation

Madison

Mill Creek students shine in Elementary Science Olympiad

Madison

Facility dog Daryl comforts, ‘listens’ to children at Midtown elementary

Madison

Batt-Rawden named ‘Alabama School Psychologist of the Year’

Madison

Madison city councilman Teddy Powell loses to Marilyn Lands in special election for HD10

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones’ population fondly remembers Angela Mooney

Digital Version

Digital version of The Madison Record – March 27, 2024

Events

AUSA showcasing the U.S. Army’s technological advances in Huntsville

Madison

Voters in HD10 to decide who fills unexpired term today

Madison

Jackie Smith’s legacy thrives through her students at Mill Creek

Harvest

AUSA sponsors ‘Operation Deploy Your Dress’ for women’s gowns

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones ‘fetches’ ‘Mean Girls – High School Version’ for Spring Musical

Events

Arts Huntsville announces Panoply Arts Festival 2024 highlights  

Huntsville

Women in Tech – Huntsville event to view business future, open scholarships

James Clemens High School

Students in grades K-11 earn City Chess Champ titles

Madison

MVP Community Impact Grant helps library’s Music Garden

Harvest

Enjoy a day of celebration at TARCOG’s Senior Fun Fest

Madison

Kim Dykes named state’s Augmentative and Alternative Communication Professional

Bob Jones High School

All-Girls National Chess Championships set for Chicago

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Mustang Mud Run Set For April 13- Register Now

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Madison Miracle League Facility Hopes To Be “Shining” Location

Bob Jones High School

Madison Visionary Awards: Madison residents and business leaders named finalists for volunteerism awards

Digital Version

Digital version of The Madison Record – March 13, 2024

x