ACC Esports Team Pulls Off Stunning Upset, Phi Theta Kappa Honors Student, and Hunger-Free Campus Grant

Alpena Community College celebrates multiple student achievements and program expansions.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 5:33am

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring a gaming controller repeated in a grid pattern, capturing the energy and excitement of ACC's Esports achievements.ACC's Esports program is elevating competitive gaming to new heights, providing students with opportunities to represent the college and build community.Alpena Today

Alpena Community College's Esports team pulled off a dramatic upset in the National Esports Collegiate Conference, Phi Theta Kappa recognized an ACC student as a Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholar, and the college received a $99,700 grant from the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential to enhance its food pantry operations and address student food insecurity.

Why it matters

ACC's Esports program is providing new opportunities for students to compete at the collegiate level, while the Phi Theta Kappa award and hunger-free campus grant demonstrate the college's commitment to supporting student success through academic recognition and addressing basic needs.

The details

ACC's Esports Rocket League team, which includes three members of the college's baseball team, pulled off a stunning upset by defeating the #2 seed Seton Hill University in a seven-game series after falling behind 2-0. The win advanced the team to the divisional semifinals. Meanwhile, ACC student Valerie Binge was recognized as a 2026 Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholar by Phi Theta Kappa, a rare honor for only one student per state. The college also received a $99,700 grant to upgrade its food pantry operations, including adding commercial-grade refrigeration, an access tracking system, expanded hours, meal vouchers, and educational workshops to address student food insecurity.

  • In March 2026, the ACC Esports Rocket League team defeated Seton Hill University in a dramatic seven-game series comeback.
  • In 2026, Valerie Binge was named a Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholar by Phi Theta Kappa.
  • In 2026, Alpena Community College received a $99,700 Hunger-Free Campus Activities Grant from the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential.

The players

Aaron Guitar

The head coach of the ACC Esports program.

Charlie Best

A member of the ACC Esports Rocket League team and the ACC baseball team, studying Utility Tech.

Isaac Zocco

A member of the ACC Esports Rocket League team and the ACC baseball team.

Valerie Binge

A 13th year ACC Early College student from Atlanta who was recognized as a 2026 Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholar by Phi Theta Kappa.

Lisa Blumenthal, Kristen Wisniewski, and Dawn Stone

ACC staffers who worked to obtain the Hunger-Free Campus Activities Grant.

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What they’re saying

“It means a lot to represent ACC — the school that took a chance on me — and be a dual-sport athlete here. The chemistry we have built is unlike any other I've been a part of.”

— Isaac Zocco, ACC Esports Rocket League Player

“Competing for ACC in Esports has taken something I've always loved and made it much bigger. What started as just playing games with friends has grown into a more intense and competitive experience against other collegiate teams. It has felt so rewarding to see something I once thought of as 'just a game' become something I can take pride in.”

— Charlie Best, ACC Esports Rocket League Player and Utility Tech Student

What’s next

The ACC Esports Rocket League team will compete in the divisional semifinals after their dramatic upset victory.

The takeaway

Alpena Community College is demonstrating its commitment to student success through its growing Esports program, academic recognition of high-achieving students, and efforts to address food insecurity on campus.