When Madison College decided to start an Esports program in September 2020, it selected Joe Hanson to lead the program. A long-time member of the college’s Information Technology Department, Hansen quickly built a powerhouse of a program.
Under Hanson’s leadership, the team has won 10 national championships and had six national runner-up finishes. Players have won titles in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Valorant and Rocket League.
Most recently, the Madison College Rocket League teeam of Noah Freeman, Robert Saltzman, Matthew Suhr and Jalen Wilson finished last season undefeated and took home the NJCAAE national title. It was the programs fourth Rocket League title.
Hanson stepped down as coach this summer but will continue at the college as an enterprise systems engineer.
“This experience has been unforgettable and will remain special to me long after I’ve stepped away,” he said in a story on the athletic department website.
“When we launched Esports as a varsity program in Fall 2020, it started as a vision and a belief that Esports could thrive at our college and become a platform for students both in-and-out of the games. That vision has become a reality beyond anything I could have imagined.”
In addition to building a championship program, Hanson helped lead the development of the college’s E-sports arena located in Truax Room B2210. The athletic department honored Hanson as the 2025 Madison College Athletics Coach of the Year.
Until a new coach is hired, former Esports participant Tye Dillen will be serving as the interim coach.