Bowling Green, KY - In esports' inaugural season as a Mid-South Conference championship sport, the University of the Cumberlands finds themselves with their first All-MSC honoree in senior leader Courtland Ellis, announced the conference Monday morning.
Ellis was named as a all-conference first team member for Rocket League, an online, multiplayer game with a play style similar to soccer. Courtland exclusively played Rocket League this past season for UC with him being the lone senior of the group, playing alongside freshmen Tanner Edelen and Jackson Moore. The trio played their way to a record of 6-10 on the year with three of their wins coming in conference play including one that helped them advance to the championship match of the MSC Fall Tournament, sweeping Shawnee State 3-0.
Courtland helped carry the load for the Patriots in many of their matches as he managed to lead his team in points more often than not. Ellis proved to be a solid all-around player on the virtual pitch as he comfortably switched from defense to on the attack in the blink of an eye. The native of New Zealand made his mark, helping UC have their best year in program history to date.
"Courtland was the definition of a veteran," said coach Jacob Ball "He was like another coach for us with the way he helped create a team atmosphere."
As one of three upperclassmen and the only senior of the team, Courtland was tasked with showing the incoming talent the ropes. For as valuable an asset Ellis was on the sticks, he proved to be a leader his teammates, and coaching staff, relied on to help lead the program to newer heights.
"He set the example for us as to what we as coaches expect out of our players. The fact he was able to come in, with everything else going on around him, and be as professional as he was makes him very deserving of the award." - coach Jacob Ball
Despite Courtland's time in Williamsburg coming to an end, his impact on the program this season will be felt well beyond as his leadership continues to shine through.
Courtland's inclusion on the list makes for a historic mark in Cumberlands' esports history as he becomes the first player named to the list. The Patriots will look to add more to that list in years to come as they continue to develop the young group they have, remembering the actions and words of their former teammate Ellis.
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