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Northwestern College Athletics

Northwestern College
HOME OF NORTHWESTERN RED RAIDERS ATHLETICS
HONORING CHRIST THROUGH EXCELLENCE IN ATHLETICS
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Cole Prescott

Prescott has been responsible for building the Red Raider Esports program, hired as the Director of Esports in August 2019. The following year, on August 1, 2020, he was promoted to the first full-time Director. He oversees the three sponsored games (Overwatch, Rocket League, and Smash Brothers Ultimate). He also signed the program's first-ever sponsorship with HyperX in May 2022. 

Since May 2022, Prescott has served as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the National Association of Esports Coaches and Directors (NAECAD). In that role he serves as part of the senior leadership team and has hosted multiple esports clinic sessions on various topics, such as Effective Esports Film Review, Esports Facilities and Equipment, Student Development Strategies, and Student Discipline & Program Culture. 

Prescott has coached two NAECAD All-Americans in his time leading the Esports program (Evan Bruse / Kit Fynaardt), the only two in program history. Kit Fynaardt became the program's first-ever All-American in any game, named a 2020-21 Esports (Overwatch) All-American.

The Raider Smash Bros Ultimate and Rocket League teams won the inaugural GPAC Esports Champinships in 2025, while Overwatch took the runner-up trophy. Also in 2025, Northwestern's JV Overwatch team finished second nationall in the NECC's sixth division and varsity Overwatch claimed its second consecutive Heartland Showdown title.

During the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, the Esports teams have secured an NECC conference championship, a conference runner-up finish, two second-place LAN tournament finishes, and a LAN tournament title.

In the 2022-23 academic year, Prescott led the Northwestern Rocket League squad to their first-ever conference title, qualifying them for nationals. Additionally, the Red Raiders won the school's first-ever championship with the Fall 2020 GGLeagues Overwatch championship.

"I chose to take on the task of building an Esports program at Northwestern because it's the perfect marriage of my passion and my calling. I have always loved Esports, and for as long as I can remember I have felt called by God to pour into the lives of young men and women," said Prescott. "I had so many staff and faculty pour into me as a student, and I love getting to work at a place where I not only get to but am encouraged and expected to challenge my players to pursue God’s work in the world, and to honor Christ through excellence in all that they do.

Prescott is active in the broader Overwatch community as a player and coach. As an Overwatch player, he has ranked among the top 500 Overwatch players in North America. 

His favorite passage of scripture is Psalm 139. He notes, "it is a firm reminder that God knows us very well; that he is always present with us; and that he made us good and created us with intent." 

Prescott ('19) earned his bachelor's degree in computer science from Northwestern College. In his free time Prescott enjoys playing video games, drumming, reading novels and books about ancient and medieval history, and going on bike rides and walks with his family. He and his wife, Jamie ('19), reside in Orange City with their son, Judah (July 2021) and daughter, Haven (July 2023).

updated June 2025