TeamDRT's development starting at gaming to where we are now, how we have grown, the bumps along the way, successes, and our future.

DRT derives from the police force terms DOA (dead on arrival) and DRT (dead right there). This translated well to the gaming world and became a vital part of TeamDRT’s slogan "Be smart, not DRT."

TeamDRT started in 2003 with a gaming team created to compete online in Call of Duty matches. We had no clue what the competitive gaming world was and what it took to be on top. However, we sure thought we did.

We started out our first season in the Cyber Athlete League (CAL) going 0-4. We quickly realized that being the best at gaming would not be easily achieved. As one might expect the difficulties led to doubt. The doubt led to more losses. The losses led to teammates being unhappy. And this all nearly led the end of TeamDRT.

In the midst of all this, TeamDRT began to develop an internal meaning: Dedication, Respect and Teamwork.

We adopted teamwork early on because we were not the most skilled and needed something to help us win matches. In addition to teamwork, we quickly learned that dedication and respect would be necessary to keep the organization we were trying to build from falling apart. We prided ourselves in never missing a match, not quitting because we lost a match, and not bringing in new players just to see how it worked. We stuck together through the good and the bad and as one might expect the tides started to change. We finished the first season 4-4.

Of course being the competitive people we all are this was not enough. The next season we set a goal to make playoffs, win in the playoffs, get a sponsor, and move up to main - as it is for most competitive gaming teams.

We struggled more than we succeeded through the next couple of seasons (at least according to our standards), but by the end of our 3rd season we found ourselves in playoffs, and we moved up to main the following season. TeamDRT had started to make a mark in the Call of Duty competitive gaming world.

The ultimate goal of TeamDRT Gaming is to create a team that has the Dedication, Respect, and Teamwork necessary to be around forever. (Or at least as long as gaming is around). We are well on our way to achieving this.

TeamDRT grew from a team of five friends to three full rosters in Call of Duty 2. We still desire more growth, but in growing we do not want to attract "team hoppers". We want people who are looking for a place to call home in the gaming world. We want TeamDRT to be an organization one is involved with for life. An organization to develop friends through, build a gaming family through. It is not our level of skill or one single player that has kept this team together, but rather an understanding of commitment to gaming and sportsmanship.

Respect is not achieved with ease. It is earned. And the best way to earn respect is to first show it. We do not leave scrims early; we do not complain when other teams leave early; we set an example. Consequently, other teams respect TeamDRT. There is a general perception that the gaming industry is immature. The industry needs respect. TeamDRT is dedicated to changing this perception. By showing respect we are setting the bar for other teams to follow and laying a solid foundation for an expanding gaming community.

Teamwork is an essential element of competition and our primary goal while gaming. Teamwork allows average players to win championships while a lack of teamwork leads to excellent players failing. We’ve won many matches against more skilled teams by using teamwork. Always remember a team can accomplish more than the individual whether it applies to the TeamDRT gaming team or the gaming community as a whole.

TeamDRT no longer exists strictly in the gaming world. We are now TeamDRT Media, LLC – a web media design company created by the founders of TeamDRT Gaming. As a direct sponsor of DRT Gaming, TeamDRT Media, LLC hopes to promote the gaming community by providing structure, funding and guidance. We would like to see gaming evolve into a sport with paid players and coaches. DRT Gaming has plans to expand into other divisions of the gaming community, thus developing true “gamers” that possess the required traits of Dedication, Respect and Teamwork.

-Marc Parrish (miracle)