Embedded Files
Panels and Timing
About the Conference:
Esports has permeated culture and is a now a must across Collegiate campuses. Come and hear from top Academic and Varsity leaders on how to Create and Grow an Esports Ecosystem on your campus.
Come and hear from top leaders in Academic Esports programming, competitive programming of Varsity and Club at the top levels in the US and leaders doing this today across the collegiate space. Doc Haskell will talk about building varsity programming that is cross campus, and successful in retention and recruitment. Interested in Academic programming, talk to Clark University leaders who created the first in the US Academic Esports curriculum.
Hear about building top notch esports facilities, how to build and manage finances (grants, gifts, and beyond), connecting to the community, and overall what it takes to tie things together with students and other areas on-campus.
Retention, Recruitment, and Student Satisfaction
***Tentative themes/panels, and more panelists expected to be added. subject to change
Friday March 22nd:
3:00PM Check in
4:00PM Conference Kick-off: Marcus "Esports" Howard
5:00PM Directing and Coaching Esports - Similarities and Differences: Ahman Green (Univ Nebraska), Mike Vander Heyden (Northeastern university), Chris Turner (Southern Univ Law), Danielle Rourke (CDW) - Moderator
6:00PM Gala Dinner
Saturday March 23d:
8:00AM Check in - Networking
9:00AM Kick-off President David Fithian, Joseph Corazzini - VP Govt Relations
Keynote: Doc Haskell - Collegiate Esports Landscape and building a successful Ecosystem
10:00AM - Club to Varsity: Shifty (Clark) (Nicholas Travis), Diane Lapierre (Assumption), Eugene Frier (Texas Wesleyan), Ray Katz (COO CSMG), Victor Castro (West Point) - Moderator
10:50 AM - Building Synergy with Leagues: Dan Coonan (ECAC), Wim Stocks (Vindex), Bob Dranoff (ECC), Jacob VanRyn (NECC) – Moderator
11:35 AM - Building a successful Esports Program: Matt Knutson (UND), Chris Turner (Southern Univ Law), Christina Alejandre (Lasell), Joey Gawrysiak (Syracuse) – Moderator
12:30 PM: Lunch: Plenary Speaker: Jihan Johnston
1:00PM - Tying Academics to Esports Teams/Clubs: Michele King (William & Mary), Sari Kitelyn (Full Sail), Nikita Bair (Syracuse University), Seth Jenny (Slippery Rock) – Moderator
2:00PM - Fireside Chat with Kurt Melcher
3:00PM - Networking/Vendor TIme
4:00PM - Building a Successful Esports Facility: Scott Dorn (Spectrum), Doc (Boise State), Joey Gawrysiak (Syracuse), Devin LaPlume (All Systems Go)
5:00PM - Esports - It takes a Village - Admissions, Athletics, Govt, and Beyond: Vanessa Kenon (UT San Antonio), Tim Loew (MassDiGI), Paul Cotnoir (Dean, Clark University), Danielle Rourke (CDW) – Moderator
6:00PM - Closing Remarks & Cocktail hour with light refreshments
Organizing Conference Committee:
Danielle Manning - EVP - Clark University
John LaBrie - Associate Provost & Dean - Clark University
Danielle Rourke - CDW
Seth Jenny - Slippery Rock University
Victor Castro - West Point
Vanessa Kenon - Univ Texas @ San Antonio
Jacob VanRyn - President NECC
Nicholas Travis - Esports Director Clark University
Kevin Mitchell - Founder and Managing Director of College EsportsX
Alan Ritacco - Clark University
Profiles
President David Fithian - Clark University
As the chief executive officer of the University, the President is responsible for leading the achievement of Clark’s mission and strategic goals and representing institutional values.
Joseph Corazzini - Vice President for Government and Community Affairs - Clark University
Leads external relations, community affairs, and government engagement and fosters partnerships in the city and more broadly.
Doc Haskell - Boise State - Keynote Presenter
Doc is a nationally recognized esports coach, director, and leader of all things esports. Doc has won coach of the year multiple times, and he oversees a program of five+ varsity teams and over 300 student club members.
Marcus Howard - Opening Speaker - State of Esports
Marcus Howard is a lifelong gamer, serial entrepreneur, college professor and international startup advisor. He started his career in the gaming industry in 2013, launching ProjectMQ with his twin brother Malcolm to solve game discovery, the biggest problem in the global gaming industry. In 2019, Marcus and Malcolm pivoted ProjectMQ into MetArena, helping brands of any size use video games to digitally engage their entire communities. His 5-star rated book "Innovate: Gaming & Esports" teaches gamers, parents, teachers, and brands about the business and STEAM career opportunities in the $180B gaming industry.
Marcus has consulted with amazing brands like iHeartMedia and the University of Kentucky. He's also been an esports subject matter expert for the United States Department of State and the Republic of Estonia. In 2020, The Game Awards selected Marcus as one of 50 professionals for "Future Class", a worldwide cohort of leaders building a more inclusive future for the gaming industry. In 2021, LinkedIn selected him as one of its ecosystem's top 20 voices for sports. In his spare time, he scouts indie games (games made by independent game developers) for funding/distribution deals with the world’s largest gaming companies. Marcus is always eager to chat about video games, and you can find him on LinkedIn.
Jihan Johnston - Plenary Presenter
Immerse yourself in the impactful narrative of Jihan Johnston, a distinguished tech industry professional and educational specialist, proudly affiliated with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Her commitment to fostering positive change through gaming and esports is a testament to her visionary leadership. Hailing from Philadelphia, Jihan earned her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Saint Augustine's University and pursued a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. Driven by a desire to empower adolescents, she pioneers groundbreaking work, leveraging the power of gaming to promote financial and business literacy.
Recognized for her expertise, Jihan is an advisor member for the Onside Gaming Fund for Women Win and the Warrior GMR Foundation. As an educational specialist with the Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF), she champions educational opportunities for high school students through esports.
As the co-curator of BeatBotics, Jihan's visionary leadership takes center stage, showcasing the transformative impact of digital technology in esports, gaming, metaverse, and AI, particularly within black and brown communities. Her trailblazing spirit and commitment to amplifying the voices of these communities are truly inspiring.
Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in informatics, focusing on the rich culture of black HBCU esports, Jihan stands as the first African American female to embark on such academic research. Her groundbreaking work becomes a beacon of inspiration, paving the way for future generations to embrace their passions and make a lasting impact.
Jihan Johnston's exceptional journey and unwavering dedication remind us of our power to uplift communities, break barriers, and inspire positive change. She is a true catalyst for transformation, leaving an indelible mark on the world and inspiring others to embrace their unique paths, guiding them to leave a lasting impact on the world.
Kevin Mitchell - Founder and Managing Director of College EsportsX - Guest Moderator
I am the Founder and Managing Director of College EsportsX, a consultancy, event production, and product development company that caters to the international college gaming community. We provide strategic insight and convergent media expertise to key stakeholders in the collegiate esports and gaming ecosystem.
Our collegiate esports events are hosted under our CEX brand in the US, Brazil, India, and South Africa. Our clients include some of the biggest brands in gaming and technology. The company has provided services to game publishers. streaming platforms, educational institutions, professional sports organizations, print publications, and television networks
Formerly served as a Business Development and Strategic Intelligence Director for National Amusements (NAI), focused on the intersection of entertainment and technology. NAI is a closely held company operated by the Redstone family, and it is the parent company of Viacom, CBS, Showcase Cinemas, and UCI Cinemas Brazil/Argentina
Veteran media and technology executive devoted to driving rapid growth and identifying business opportunities in esports, the metaverse, and immersive entertainment.
Vanessa Hammler Kenon, Ed.D., is the Associate Vice President Technology Compliance and Community Engagement at UTSA
Vanessa oversees the audit, compliance, and risk services sections of the University Technology Solutions department. She also supervises the school's experiential learning Classroom to Career Student Ambassador and Internship Program and acts as the department liaison for University Technology Solutions' internal and external community outreach and engagement. Dr. Kenon is an important UTS (UTSA Tech Solutions) connection to UTSA (University of Texas at San Antonio) students, professors, and staff. She is a member of several UTSA committees and task forces that support technology, student success, community engagement, diversity, equity, and inclusion, audit and compliance, and the UTSA annual United Way SECC (State Employee Charitable Campaign).
She also serves as an EDUCAUSE Ambassador and is on the state TASSCC Board. She teaches a modern film, media, and technology course in the African American Studies program at the College of Education and Human Development. Dr. Kenon has over 28 years of experience in higher education positions of instruction, leadership, and management in both private and public higher education programs, with 26 of those years spent overseeing technology-related departments and initiatives. She also serves on various boards and committees in the San Antonio and surrounding communities.
Shifty (Nicholas Travis), Director of Esports at Clark University
There are those that do what they do because of the pay grade. There are those that chase esteem and status. Personally I'm going after my passion of Esports - helping create environments for people to grow and strive and infecting them with the same passion that I have all the while gaining expertise in a field that just so happens to be growing exponentially.
Danielle Rourke - National Esports Manager for CDW
Danielle Rourke is the National Esports Manager for CDW and brings extensive leadership and technology skills, having worked in a variety of disciplines and industries. A technologist, analyst, & strategist at heart, one of Danielle's true passions is helping broker technological solutions to help students, staff, & faculty across the globe engage more fully in the power of education. She also holds a long-standing love of the way gaming can connect communities & generations. Danielle sees & lives the incredible value in connecting the gaming community with career & educational opportunities. Prior to CDW, Danielle was an Education Innovation Strategist at Dell Technologies and served as an Associate Director of Information Technology for the University of Colorado Boulder, where she championed new and innovative methods of utilizing technology to make education more accessible to under-served student populations.
Dr. Seth Jenny, Professor of Exercise Science and Esports at Slippery Rock University
Dr. Seth E. Jenny is an associate professor within the Department of Exercise Science and Athletic Training at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (SRU). As an esports academic, Dr. Jenny is a performance advisor to KovaaK 2.0: The Meta FPS aim trainer, founding member of the Esports Research Network, Deputy Editor of the International Journal of Esports, and Associate Editor of the Journal of Electronic Gaming and Esports. He teaches esports courses in SRU’s undergraduate esports minor and serves as the faculty advisor to SRU’s esports team. Dr. Jenny has conducted research studies relating to video gaming and esports since 2011. He has provided 100+ professional presentations and has published 50+ peer-reviewed academic journal articles within his prime areas of research - esports, motion-based video gaming, instructional technology, and distance running.
Twitter: @DrSethJenny - Website: https://www.sethjenny.com
Victor Castro – Director of Army West Point Esports
Victor is the Deputy Director, West Point Simulation Center, Department of Military Instruction (DMI) and Director, Army West Point Esports
Jacob VanRyn, President of the NECC League
Striving to enhance the student-athlete experience on a daily basis
Joey Gawrysiak, PhD - Syracuse University
Joey Gawrysiak, Ph.D., is the Executive Director and a Professor of Practice of Esports at Syracuse University, USA, overseeing all esports initiatives on campus including varsity competition, research, academic development, and facility management. Prior to that he started one of world’s first multi-track esports academic programs at Shenandoah University.
Nikita Bair - Syracuse University
Nikita Bair is the Esports Program Manager at Syracuse University, preparing learners for post-graduation through developing esports curriculum, forming partnerships with endemic esports organizations, and providing internship and professional opportunities for students. Prior to joining Syracuse, Bair was a full-time faculty and coordinator of esports at Shenandoah University from 2021-2023. Before moving on to Shenandoah University, Bair founded the varsity esports program at Northeastern University in Spring of 2020.
Ahman Green - University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Director Of Esports/Head Coach/Lecturer
Following an outstanding 12-year career in the NFL, All-Pro running back Ahman Green
has established himself as a successful football analyst, esports authority and gamer,
coach and philanthropist.
In 2020, Ahman was hired as the Head Coach of Esports at Lakeland University in
Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Before his first semester as the Head Coach, with the help of
Sam Poullette VP of Admissions, Ahman was able to start the scholarship program for
the new student-athlete coming into Lakeland by the fall of 2020. As a Head Coach,
he managed & coached the teams of Legend of Leagues, Overwatch, Rocket League,
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Madden 21, NBA2K, Brawlhalla and Super Smash Bros.
Since 2020, Coach Green was able to coach these teams along with Assistant Brett
Sheldon. They lead the Esports players to 10+ playoff appearances, 1 Divisional
Championship and 1 National Championship. The National Championship came in
Madden 21, in Coach Green’s 1st semester. He helped Curtis Dokey, Sophomore at
Lakeland to capture the 2020 NECC Championship. In 2021, Coach Green’s final fall
semester, help lead the Valorant Team along with Senior Captain Alex Burgos, to the
NECC Divisional Midwest Championship. Also in fall 2021, Coach taught his 1st
semester of his Intro to Esports course. In the class, Coach Green teaches coach &
player development, content creation, esports business management and the list of
job opportunities for everyone interested to have a job in Video Game/Esports
Industry. Currently, Ahman is the Director of Esports/Head Coach at the University of
Nebraska-Lincoln. Has been in for 1 year now.
In the burgeoning world of esports, Green attended the esports Celebrity Boot Camp
and hosts AhmanGreenTV on Twitch.tv. In 2016, Green Co-hosted a Gears Of Wears
tournament at the Microsoft Store in New York City on 5th Ave.In addition, for
Microsoft, Green hosted an event during E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) and for
Microsoft Studios, Green co-hosted two tournament events in 2017. One of the two
events in 2017, was the Compete4ever Madden18 tournament. The first of the
tournaments started in New York City, at Times Square Buffalo Wild Wings location.
The series continued at the Foxwoods Resort and Casino which Green was the Color
Commentary for the January, February and June 2019 events. Then at Axis Replay in
Atlanta, Georgia in March. Green wrapped the summer with commentary for the May
5, 2019 Atlantic City event and the Catskills Resort World on June 29th, 2019. In
February of 2020, Lakeland Univeristy hired Ahman as the Head Coach of Esports and
Ahman is going into his 2nd year as the Head Coach of Esports. Curtiss Dokey coached
by Ahman, won the championship title in NECC Madden PlayStation 4.
While commentating these events Green was hired as the Director of Business
Development at ESTV (ESports Television) located in Los Angeles, Ca. located on
Wilshire Blvd. in Koreatown. ESTV is a nationwide 24 hour Network. Esports Television
is the first dedicated channel to esports and gaming personalities. Green's job is to
connect ESTV with companies in and out of the Video Game Industry and develop
partnerships and sponsorships to help each company to grow. Since starting to stream
in 2016, Ahman now does a Ahman Green’s Gamers Lounge Podcast, which he records
Eugene Frier - Director of Esports & Gaming and Adjunct Professor of Esports - Texas Wesleyan
Eugene is a highly experienced professional in the field of higher education, having served in a variety of roles since the early 2000s. With a passion for engaging and developing students to help them achieve their goals and become career ready, he has taught in the classroom, gained experience in residence life, academic advising, campus events, planning & assessment, spirit & traditions, and new student orientation. As Texas Wesleyan Universities Director of Esports & Gaming and Adjunct Professor of Esports, Eugene brings his extensive knowledge and expertise to the creation of a holistic esports and gaming department and community. Eugene’s department unites with their students to transform their passions into workplace-ready skills in a supportive, engagement-based community on the path to educational and personal success. They do this by focusing on the four pillars of our program: Community, Creation, Community and Career. Eugene earned both his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Master of Education in Higher Education from the University of North Texas. Eugene and his wife live in Denton, Texas with their dogs Malfurion and Rhaegar. When he is not working with students, he spends time consuming media (videos, TV, movies, streams, etc.), playing games (World of Warcraft, Lethal Company, D&D, etc.) or hanging out with friends.
Paul Cotnoir - Dean Becker School of Design & Technology - Clark University
Dr. Cotnoir leads Clark University’s world ranked interactive media program, and has served in various leadership roles in higher education, industry, and the public sector in the areas of automation, robotics, fiber optics, economic development, workforce training, and manufacturing design.
Under his leadership the Becker School of Design and Technology interactive media program grew from 12 to 600 students in a few short years and garnered constant national recognition by the Princeton Review, reaching a ranking of No. 2 in the world in 2021. He has also been instrumental in the development of the statewide Mass DiGI initiative and the development of summer STEM-based game design programs for high-school-age students and middle-school-age, under-served girls.
Dr. Cotnoir holds a doctoral degree in manufacturing engineering from WPI.
Tim Loew - Executive Director MASSDiGI
Executive Director of MassDigi. Loew co-founded and started up MassDigi, and is responsible for overall strategy, direction and management. Key roles include game industry, academic and government relations, community and student development as well as organizational advancement. Since starting up, MassDigi teams have launched over 45 titles on iOS, Android and PC.
Christopher Turner - Southern University Law
Christopher Turner is the Director of Southern University Law Center's Mixed Reality Virtual Innovation Gaming and Esports Institute, Advisor and founder of Southern University Esports and Southern University Laboratory School Esports. As a young educator, graphic design, visual arts, and technology have always been a great passion of Turner’s. With more than ten years of teaching experience, He has found a way to effectively incorporate esports educational advancements in both K-12 and collegiate settings. Living by the motto that esports is an effective way to promote student engagement across the curriculum, He has excelled at becoming an advocate for esports through curriculum development, coaching, and consulting. Turner has set out on a mission to enrich the lives of all educators, gamers, and students. He aspires to improve and transform the way in which educators view esports, align curriculum standards, obtain funding, and build long lasting esports clubs and programs.
Christina Alejandre - Lasell University
Christina Alejandre currently serves as the Program Director and Assistant Professor of Esports & Gaming Management at Lasell University. She is also an executive consultant in esports and video game publishing space. She was on the advisory board for esports management and taught a variety of esports business classes at Becker College. Prior to this, she served as General Manager of ELEAGUE and Vice President of Esports for Turner Sports. In this role, she led the development and strategy for ELEAGUE. In her time with ELEAGUE, Christina was nominated for 4-Sports Emmy’s and was named as one of ADWEEK’s 35 most powerful women in sports in 2017. She was also a 2017 Sports Business Journal Game Changer.
Alejandre has two decades of years of experience in video games and new media, driving business development for global companies. She previously served as a consultant for Electronic Sports League where she identified and developed the core elements to establish the company’s long-term growth in North America. In addition, she has held several high-ranking positions overseeing licensing and partner management, publishing and esports at Turbine and Warner Bros. Games. She also has led business development for 38 Studios and Octopi after working on interactive licensing and product development at Nickelodeon and Viacom.
Sergio D Brack - Dirctor of Esports - University of Maryland
Standing now as a renowned director in the space, being a collegiate esports director was not in the initial plans for Sergio. Getting his start as a competitor and club president the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), Sergio led a group of passionate students both at the university and outside of it to create opportunity for students across the space via ventures like co-founding College COD and working on the Southern Esports Invitational in 2020 to showcase more spotlight on student esports talent in the southeast. After departing from the South to work as a director at Ottawa University, Sergio won his first national championship as a director in 2021 in the very league he founded, the CCL. Outside of directing his current program at the University of Maryland, College Park, Sergio has his hands on initiatives all across the space. Working with entities like VOICE, Cxmmunity, and NECC, you can find him involved almost anywhere in collegiate esports.
Dan Coonan - CEO ECAC
Dan Coonan took over as Commissioner/CEO of the ECAC in January of 2017. He has enjoyed a multi-faceted career, spending eleven years as Athletic Director at Santa Clara University, after serving as Assistant Commissioner of the Pac-12 Conference, and Executive Associate Athletic Director at Cal. He has also practiced law, ran a Congressional campaign, taught law as an Adjunct Professor at the University of San Francisco, oversaw all fundraising for the Catholic Church in Los Angeles, and served as Chairman of the Board of the largest homeless shelter network in the Bay Area, Life Moves (InnVision). In 2020 he released a novel, Presidential Spirits, published through Goose River Press, which attracted some media attention and critical acclaim.
He grew up in El Segundo, California and attended the University of Notre Dame. He graduated from Loyola Law School, where he wrote for the Law Review. He also performed a judicial externship for Judge Cynthia Holcomb Hall of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals before practicing law in Los Angeles for seven years.
He initiated a comprehensive esports program at the ECAC in the spring of 2018, which has grown from twelve schools in that first year to over 165, and now includes roughly 1,200 teams and 4000 competitors playing 17 different titles.
Coonan lives in Newtown, Connecticut with his wife, Donna. They have three children.
Diane Lapierre - Assumption University
Diane “Courtalon” Lapierre got their start in esports as a collegiate player and organizer in 2011. They have spent the last decade filling a wide variety of roles within esports including player, coach, manager, and consultant. Currently the Director of Esports at Assumption Univeristy, they have had previous stops at Calico Esports and Supernova. They also serve as the lead consultant and Live Events and Esport Director for Nor’easter Gaming. They specialize in building programs and events with focuses on high participation, engagement, and inclusion.
Michele King - William & Mary
Dr. Michele King joined William & Mary in 1999 and teaches communication and esports courses. Her educational background includes a PhD in Communication (Entertainment-Education), MS in Corporate & Professional Communication, and a BA in Speech Communication.
She is the co-founder and director of William & Mary's Academic & Applied Esports Program and serves on the Esports Advisory Board, Esports Faculty Task Force, Esports Steering Committee, and is the Electronic Gaming Federation (EGF) Board of Governor's representative. Dr. King is a TEDx speaker, 2021-2022 National Collegiate Esports Director of the Year recipient, and developer of the STEM & SCRIM™ Esports Summer Camp.
Dr. King is a ludologist, advocate for esports, and for the past 17 years, has traveled the world to present her research on play, games, esports, and gamification.
Gayle Dickie - CEO Gamer World News
Mike Vander Heyden - Northeastern University
Mike is the Associate Director for Club Sports & Esports at Northeastern University where he currently is responsible for the administration of a comprehensive competitive club sports program including 64 clubs, 400 student leaders, and over 3,500 participants. Additionally, he serves as the Director of Esports for the varsity program for 35 student-athletes in Overwatch, League of Legends, Hearthstone, Rocket League, and Valorant. He has 17 years of college athletics, recreation, and esports experience during his career. He holds a Master’s degree in Recreation and Sport Management from Indiana State University and Bachelor's degree in Sport Administration with a minor in Foundations of Management from Ball State University.
Kurt Melcher - Robert Morris
Kurt is an accomplished leader in the Gaming & Esports industry, with a track record of success in delivering innovative marketing solutions, business strategy, investment intelligence, and original production services to brands, publishers, leagues, teams, universities, and investors. Kurt has spearheaded high-profile projects for esteemed clients including Rocket Mortgage, Samsung, Smithfield, Red Bull, 7-Eleven, NCAA and Heineken. He has also overseen global professional esports tours for some of the most iconic gaming titles, including Injustice 2, and Mortal Kombat 11.
Kurt rose to prominence when he made history by making Robert Morris University (IL) the first college to recognize esports as part of the athletic department and offer athletic scholarships to gamers. His pioneering work has legitimized esports as a competitive and educational pursuit, paving the way for future generations of gamers.
Kurt's visionary program has been featured in numerous high-profile news outlets, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Time Magazine, ESPN, NPR, HBO Real Sports. He also became a TED speaker when he presented the TEDx Talk Gamers, The Rising Stars of Collegiate Athletics.
Kurt's unparalleled expertise, forward-thinking approach, and commitment to excellence make him a driving force in the Gaming & Esports industry. He is a true visionary leader who has made a significant impact on the industry, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
COO, VG-IQ – Video Game Industry Consultancy
Adjunct Professor, Northwestern University – The Business of Gaming & Esports (MSA421)
Riot Scholastic Association of America (RSAA) - Board of Directors
National Association of Esports Coaches and Directors (NAECAD) – Board of Advisors
Voice of Collegiate Esports (VOICE), Board of Directors
Sari Kitelyn - FullSail
Sari Kitelyn is the Director of Esports for Full Sail University and the owner of Greater Orlando XP League. She is also the co-founder of Esports and Coffee - a Twitch show and online community dedicated to supporting marginalized voices throughout esports and gaming, which she developed with other women advocating for more diversity in those spaces.
Under Sari’s leadership, Full Sail Armada has been recognized as a finalist for the Collegiate Award at the annual Esports Awards, Collegiate Esports Program of the year by the Tempest Awards, and Most influential Gaming Community by Women in Games Global Awards. In 2022, Armada was recognized for their support of marginalized genders in gaming when they won the award for "Up and Coming Collegiate Team" by the *gameHERs awards.
In 2020, Sari's efforts were recognized by eFuse when she was named one of the Most Impactful Women in Collegiate Esports and again in 2023 when she was featured by Femme Gaming in "Powerhouse Women Making a Difference". Sari received the "Women who mean Business" award from the Orlando Business Journal in 2023. She was also selected as Orlando Magic's Diversity Game Changer, which celebrates leadership in social justice and equality. In 2023, Sari won the Director of the Year award from the National Association of Collegiate Esports and also was awarded the Woman of Inspiration award from the Greater Orlando Sports Commission.
A graduate of the University of Central Florida, Sari holds her bachelor’s degree in Political Science/Pre-Law and her MBA. She has also earned her Project Management Professional Certification (PMP). Sari is a member of WISE (Women in Sports and Events) and sits on the Wise Within Mentorship committee and the Events Committee. She is also the Chairman of the Board for the National Association of Collegiate Esports, and serves as a mentor for young women in the gaming and esports space.
Devin LaPlume - All Systems Go - CEO
In 2018 I Co-Founded All Systems Go Enterprises. First breaking into the industry with the design and launch of the All Systems Go Esports facility in Central MA.
6 years later, the company is continuing to expand. Our recent expansions include products and services,, ASG Connect and ASG Consulting. These new companies, have helped create an all encompassing ecosystem that provides every solution within the developing sector that is college esports.
Wim Stocks, Commercial & Partnerships Lead at Belong Gaming & Vindex and pioneer in online gaming and esports
Experienced CEO & GM with a demonstrated history of success and accomplishments in the esports, gaming, and entertainment industries. Highly skilled and experienced in Esports & Gaming, Digital/Social & Online Strategy, Brand DeveIopment & Marketing Strategy & Management, Mobile Applications, Mobile Content, Business & Partnership DeveIopment, and Digital Marketing. Strengths in business development and partnership management development,partnerships/partnership management
Matt Knutson - Asst. Professor @ University of North Dakota.
Dr. Matt Knutson (he/him) is an assistant professor and director of the academic program in esports at the University of North Dakota. His scholarship focuses on esports, game studies, media temporality, and gender and sexuality in digital spaces.
Dr. Bob Dranoff Commissioner East Coast Conference
Bob Dranoff has served as Commissioner of the East Coast Conference since June, 2008. His career in Athletics began in 1978 where he served as Assistant Director of Athletics at St. John's University (New York) before becoming Director of Athletics at SUNY Old Westbury, followed by his appointment as Director of Athletics at Dowling College and then as Assistant Dean and Director of Athletics at Suffolk County Community College.
Under Bob's leadership, the ECC added championships in men's and women's soccer, indoor & outdoor track & field and Women's Bowling. The conference was the second NCAA D2 conference to add Esports as a championship sport five years ago and has expanded participation to over 14 member institutions and added game offerings including League of Legends, Overwatch 2, Rocket League, Super Smash Brothers and Valorant. The ECC partners with CSMG and EsportsU in the management of its Esports events and the streaming of matches.
In addition to Bob's conference efforts, he is actively involved in NCAA committee work having served on the DII Championship Committee as well as the DII Management Council. Bob is also active in his community by presenting programs on youth violence and bullying issues. He serves as an adjunct professor in Sport Management at St. John's University and St. Joseph's University and was a contributor to the textbook “Esports Business Management” published by HKPropel in 2020.
Scott Dorn - Executive Vice President - Spectrum Industries, Inc., Chippewa Falls, WI
Scott Dorn started with Spectrum Industries in 1995. He has spent a majority of the past 29 years, working in the education market. As an AV and IT furniture manufacturer, Spectrum designs and manufactures dozens of different products for esports and gaming facilities. In his role, he has worked with hundreds of people within the industry, aiding with the design and eventual launch their scholastic and collegiate esports arenas. A lifetime gaming enthusiast, his favorite game title is NHL ’94 on the Sega Genesis. When not immersed in all thing’s esports, Scott is a music, fitness and sports enthusiast with a wife and two dogs that keep him active and outdoors. Scott resides in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.
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