The DAVE School is proud to announce the launch of The Narwhals, our very first collegiate Esports team. This marks an exciting new chapter for our students as we dive into the dynamic world of competitive gaming, offering opportunities to compete on a national stage while building a sense of community, school pride, and valuable life skills.
Why Esports?
The global Esports industry has skyrocketed in popularity, with revenues expected to reach $1.87 billion by 2025 (source: Statista). This booming industry offers thrilling competitions and career opportunities that extend far beyond the gaming world. By launching The Narwhals, DAVE School is positioning our students to be part of this exciting and rapidly growing field.
Esports is more than just playing games. It’s about teamwork, leadership, adaptability, and communication—essential skills that our students can carry into their future careers, whether in game production, animation, or visual effects.
Meet The Narwhals
Our team, named after the “sea unicorn,” embodies the same traits that make narwhals unique in the ocean: individuality, adaptability, and strength. Just like narwhals stand out in their environment, our students are innovators who push boundaries and want to thrive in creative industries.
The Narwhals will compete in Valorant, a globally popular 5v5 tactical first-person shooter that blends precise gunplay with strategic gameplay. Our team roster includes talented players who bring skill, passion, and diversity to the arena. Under the guidance of Coach Jay Harvey, the team will train in DAVE School’s Esports arena, equipped with professional-grade gaming systems to help them prepare for collegiate-level competitions.
Why This Matters for DAVE School Students
Esports at DAVE School isn’t just about winning games—it’s about creating a vibrant student experience. Here’s why The Narwhals will make an impact:
- Community & School Pride
The Narwhals bring students together, fostering a shared sense of pride and camaraderie. Whether you’re a competitor or a fan cheering on the sidelines, Esports creates a space where everyone feels connected. - Career Development
The skills gained through Esports—teamwork, communication, leadership—align perfectly with careers in digital media, animation, and game production. Additionally, with the industry continuing to grow, students will gain insight into potential career opportunities in Esports marketing, broadcasting, event management, and more. - Location
Located on the backlot of Universal Studios Florida™, DAVE School’s campus provides an inspiring and creative environment. The Esports arena is just one more way our students can take advantage of the incredible resources and opportunities that come with our location. - Positioning in a Growing Industry
With Orlando quickly becoming a hub for Esports tourism, The Narwhals put DAVE School at the forefront of this trend. The program also connects our students with local and national competitions, positioning them to be part of the bigger conversation around collegiate Esports.
What’s Next for The Narwhals
Our inaugural roster of The Narwhals includes:
- Tyler Stuart, Team Captain
- James Darby
- Logan Cook
- Laura Braun Pinto, a trailblazing competitor from Brazil redefining the landscape of a traditionally male-dominated industry
Led by Coach Jay Harvey, the team is ready to take on collegiate Esports leagues, competing against top universities across the country. Their journey begins with Valorant, but the program is open to all students who share a passion for gaming and teamwork.
Beyond competitions, DAVE School is committed to building an inclusive Esports community. Viewing parties, campus tournaments, and social events will bring students together to celebrate their shared love for gaming, whether they’re competing or just watching the action.
Why The Narwhals Matter
By launching The Narwhals, DAVE School is giving students more than just a competitive outlet—it’s creating a hub for collaboration, creativity, and connection. Whether it’s on the digital battlefield, in the classroom, or beyond, The Narwhals represent the unique spirit of our school: bold, innovative, and ready to stand out.
Want to Learn More?
Are you ready to join the action? Whether you want to compete, support the team, or simply be part of the Esports community, we’d love to have you. Learn more about The Narwhals and how you can get involved here.
About The DAVE School
The DAVE School was founded on June 8, 2000. Today, The DAVE School offers specialized training in Visual Effects and Game Production with extensive practice under industry-level supervision.
Located on the backlot of Universal Studios Florida®, The DAVE School has a facility of over 17,000 square foot space that includes studio lab classrooms and lecture theater and secure student access.
NUC University (NUC) is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE or the Commission) www.msche.org. NUC’s NUC University – IBC Technical Division (NUC-IBC), NUC University – Florida Technical College (NUC-FTC), The Digital Animation & Visual Effects School (The DAVE School), and Hillsboro Aero Academy (HAA) are included in this accreditation. NUC’s accreditation status is Accreditation Reaffirmed. The Commission’s most recent action on the institution’s accreditation status on 2019 was to reaffirm accreditation. MSCHE is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education to conduct accreditation and pre-accreditation (candidate status) activities for institutions of higher education including distance, correspondence education, and direct assessment programs offered at those institutions. The Commission’s geographic area of accrediting activities is throughout the United States.
NUC has four additional academic units: NUC University – IBC Technical Division (NUC-IBC), NUC University – Florida Technical College (NUC-FTC), The Digital Animation & Visual Effects School (The DAVE School); and Hillsboro Aero Academy (HAA). Information about NUC, NUC-IBC, NUC-FTC, The DAVE School, and HAA is available at https://nuc.edu/, https://tecnicos.nuc.edu/, https://ftccollege.edu/, https://dave.nuc.edu, and https://flyhaa.com/.