HBCU student makes history in Esports championship

Coby Robinson, a computer science major at Southern University and A&M College, has made history on the national stage—securing a championship victory that marks a groundbreaking moment for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). With sharp strategy, relentless discipline, and a deep understanding of competitive gaming, Robinson claimed a national esports title, becoming the first HBCU student to achieve the feat.

His win not only highlights the growing presence of HBCUs in the rapidly expanding world of esports but also challenges long-standing barriers in a field where representation has often been limited. Robinson’s achievement is being celebrated as a defining milestone, signaling new opportunities for students at HBCUs to compete—and win—at the highest levels of collegiate gaming.

Competing under the gamer tag “K1NGC0BY,” Robinson played a pivotal role in leading Southern University to victory at the 2026 ECAC EA Sports College Football National Championship, according to a press release shared with AFROTECH. In a high-stakes best-of-five series, he defeated No. 1 seed Bellarmine University with a final score of 38–29, clinching the championship 3–2.

“I feel great, happy, and accomplished because this has been a dream of mine,” Robinson said in a press release, according to Louisiana Weekly. “To see myself continuing to dominate and make history shows that I belong and that my dream is within reach.”

Christopher Turner, director and head coach of Southern University’s Esports and Digital Gaming Ecosystem (EDGE), also celebrated the historic win, emphasizing the resilience and talent behind the program’s success.

“National champions. No university funding. No NIL,” Turner shared. “Watching Coby Robinson take home the ECAC Esports, Electronic Arts (EA) College Football National Championship proves exactly what I’ve been saying: our student-athletes possess elite talent, discipline, and competitive spirit. At Southern University’s EDGE program, our athletes represent this institution with excellence—often in spite of limited resources, not because of them. We have proven that we can compete and win at the highest level.”

The university’s victory underscores the mission of EDGE, which aims to become a leading HBCU hub for esports and digital gaming excellence. Through a focus on education, skill development, and community engagement, the program is preparing students to become the next generation of digital creators, innovators, and leaders.

“This is a monumental moment for Southern University and the entire HBCU landscape,” Turner added. “We aren’t just participating in esports; we are setting the standard.”

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