Daytona State Esports Coordinator to Coach U.S. Rocket League Team in International Competition

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. (September 16, 2026) – Daytona State College Esports Coordinator Sebastian Morales will coach the U.S. Rocket League Team at the inaugural International Defence Esports Games in Sunderland, United Kingdom, in October.

The International Defence Esports Games is the first global Esports championship for military and armed forces personnel from NATO members and other partner nations. The U.S. Rocket League team consists of active-duty members of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

“Having the opportunity to represent the United States on an international stage is incredibly meaningful to me,” Morales said. “It’s even more special to be working with members of the armed forces after having served on active duty myself. We have a talented team, and I believe we have a legitimate opportunity to win.”

Morales, who served in the U.S. Marines, has led Daytona State’s Esports program since its launch in 2023. During that time, the Falcons have won four NJCAAE national championships – three in Rocket League and one in Super Smash Bros. Morales competed in Esports before joining Daytona State to oversee the development and growth of the College’s program.

Players for the U.S. team were selected through tryouts conducted by the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps.

“We’ve been practicing twice a week for several weeks, along with scrimmaging and reviewing replays,” Morales said. “At this point, the focus is on refining how we communicate, making sure everyone understands their role and developing a style of play that gives us the best chance to succeed.”

Supported by the British Esports Federation, the International Defence Esports Games are designed to highlight the cyber and digital skills used by members of modern armed forces while bringing together military Esports competitors from partner nations.

The live finals will take place Oct. 9-11 at the British Arena in Sunderland, Northeast England. Competitors will participate in Rocket League and other Esports titles during the inaugural international event.

To learn more about Daytona State College’s Esports program, visit https://bit.ly/DSC_Esports.

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Offering more than 100 certificates, associate and bachelor’s degree programs, Daytona State College is the leader in education and workforce training needs of Volusia and Flagler counties and beyond. The College enrolls approximately 23,000 students a year at its seven campuses, with graduates serving in critical fields including healthcare, emergency services and public safety, aeronautics, business, education, hospitality, engineering, project management, accounting, computer science, digital media and more. Additionally, Daytona State generates nearly $943 million in economic impact in Volusia and Flagler counties annually and supports 13,612 jobs according to a recent labor-market analysis of the College’s economic impact. 

Daytona State has been recognized as a leader in higher education numerous times. U.S. News & World Report ranks the College among the Top Tier Best Online Bachelor’s Programs. The U.S. Department of Education’s College Affordability and Transparency Center ranks DSC among the top 50 most affordable public four-year institutions in the country, with less than half the tuition of the national average. And U.S. News & World Report has ranked DSC among its Top Online Bachelor's Programs for Veterans multiple times.

Daytona State College Esports Coordinator Sebastian Morales.