Esports Professional
About MeI am an esports professional collaborating to lead the scholastic esports industry through diversifying and adapting my expertise into new areas. I work toward transforming the grassroots Midwest scene into a global powerhouse in the global esports industry.
Email: [email protected]
Discord: Nuclear#0006 Location: Davenport, IA (Willing to relocate) Current Role: Director of Esports at St. Ambrose University Career Focuses: Esports related opportunities regarding the skills below
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Education
I have been driven my entire life to establish a career for myself in esports through application from my academics. My passion for the industry motivated me to found Ball State University's first esports organization, Cardinal Esports. Cardinal Esports was an opportunity for me to apply business concepts such as marketing, advertising, leadership, quality control, event management, organizational management, streaming, and financing to a tangible place to monitor organizational growth and self growth.
From 2015 to 2018, Cardinal Esports grew from 8 members to 250 members with 8 competing rosters. In 2018, we started the 'Battle for Indiana' LAN tradition where Indiana Universities such as Purdue University, Indiana University, and Butler University would gather and compete for bragging rights over the title of best collegiate program in Indiana.
From 2015 to 2018, Cardinal Esports grew from 8 members to 250 members with 8 competing rosters. In 2018, we started the 'Battle for Indiana' LAN tradition where Indiana Universities such as Purdue University, Indiana University, and Butler University would gather and compete for bragging rights over the title of best collegiate program in Indiana.
High School Diploma, May 2014
Bachelor of Science, May 2018
Masters of Organizational Leadership, May 2023
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Highlighted Events
Leading grassroots initiatives will foster sparks in local communities is how to develop a culture. From May 2018 to June 2019, while being the Entrepreneurial Director of Paradigm, I organized, ran, and streamed a minimum of two events every week with no weeks off totaling over 100 esports events within the year. During this year, the events ranged from locals to nationals. Also during this year I was able to work within the Quad Cities community and help jump start over 12 high school esports teams. I invite you to check out some of my highlighted events below.
Grassroots & Scholastic Esports
In my vision, grassroots involvement is the heart and soul of esports. Nothing screams grassroots more than kids coming together to celebrate their unified culture. Scholastic esports defines the grassroots longevity of an areas culture. At St. Ambrose University we created a video with an intent to engage middle school/ high school students or administrators for starting an esports team.
St. Ambrose Staff Assembly President 2021-2022
Great River Valley Esports Regional TO Quad City Esports Founder and Local TO Cardinal Esports Founder and President 2015-2018 NACE Student Advisory Council Task Force Esports Correspondent on iHeart Radio 1040 WHO NAECAD 2021 Clinic Online Participant NAECAD 2022 Clinic Participant at Grandview University Iowa High School Esports Association Planning Board Collegiate Super Smash Brothers #1 TO NECC Board of Directors 2020-2022 Indiana Esports Network Advisory Council NACE Mentor in Inaugural Mentor Program NACE Competition Council 2020-2022
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PanelsNACE National Convention 2020 Online
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Work Experience
I understand most portfolios only include experience directly 'relevant' to the industry. As I perceive it, I'm proud of the experiences I've participated in the past which have shaped who and where I am today. I believe it is relevant to include positions which showcase core properties I've learned to benchmark growth on my journey. From tending a farm to a bar to an esports center, differing specialties of care is needed to nurture an environment of growth.
Athletic Programs, St. Ambrose University
Director of Esports (Formerly Head Coach) ~ June 2019 – Current
Paradigm VR Training & Gaming, Davenport, IA
Paradigm Director ~ May 2018 – May 2019
Office of Housing and Residence Life, Ball State University
Community Office Assistant ~ May 2017 – May 2018
Brothers Bar & Grill, Muncie, IN
Floor Staff/ Barback ~ September 2017 – May 2018
Office of Housing and Residence Life, Ball State University
Resident Assistant ~ August 2015 – May 2017
Office of Undergraduate Orientation, Ball State University
Orientation Leader ~ May 2015 – July 2016
Office of Housing and Residence Life, Ball State University
Studebaker East Complex Night Staff ~ September 2014 – May 2015
Cutshaw's Market, Cambridge City, Indiana
Baggage Handler and Deli Slicer ~ July 2012- August 2014
Willie Wells Farm, Connersville, Indiana
Farmer ~ June 2011- August 2014
Director of Esports (Formerly Head Coach) ~ June 2019 – Current
- SAU Coaching Profile
- Won around $2,500 in winnings in the 2019-2020 academic year by traveling across the Midwest
- Laid a structural foundation for longevity through our new Esports Contract which implemented systemic ideals the professional industry values (meditation, physical training, mental coaching)
- Brought and trained new professional development opportunities (Team Managers, GA position)
- Intrinsically motivated the esports community to new heights which can be found at linktr.ee/sauesports
- Elected President of Staff Assembly in Fall 2021 during the inauguration of Dr. Amy Novak
Paradigm VR Training & Gaming, Davenport, IA
Paradigm Director ~ May 2018 – May 2019
- Planned out and designed a $400,000 tech facility, including the business model
- Organized and operated 50+ esports events within the past nine months
- Built a team of employees and interns to execute retail virtual reality and esports
- Laid the foundations for high school esports in the Quad Cities
Office of Housing and Residence Life, Ball State University
Community Office Assistant ~ May 2017 – May 2018
- Efficiently manage mailing deliveries, e-mails, and paperwork in an office environment
- Provide customer service to all residents of the University Apartments
Brothers Bar & Grill, Muncie, IN
Floor Staff/ Barback ~ September 2017 – May 2018
- Delivered safety while promoting a light and fun environment
- Assisted bartenders in managing the bar environment
- Held responsible for a tidy service area
Office of Housing and Residence Life, Ball State University
Resident Assistant ~ August 2015 – May 2017
- Resourcefully and intentionally engaged students to assist in their success
- Monitored, carried out policies, and utilized crisis management in the residence hall
- Organized bi-monthly events to promote and illustrate a specific topic
Office of Undergraduate Orientation, Ball State University
Orientation Leader ~ May 2015 – July 2016
- Introduced incoming freshmen to Ball State as part of a team of ten leaders
- Lead a group of twenty freshmen through a two-day process 2-3 times per week
- Admitted one of the largest Ball State freshman class to-date
- Gained extensive knowledge of Ball State to become an ultimate campus resource
Office of Housing and Residence Life, Ball State University
Studebaker East Complex Night Staff ~ September 2014 – May 2015
- Monitored front area overnight ensuring the safety of the entire dorm by checking identification
- Recorded any incidents out of the unusual to the night director or even local police
Cutshaw's Market, Cambridge City, Indiana
Baggage Handler and Deli Slicer ~ July 2012- August 2014
- Began as a baggage handler in which I bagged/carried out groceries, maintained the store, and cared to customers
- Promoted to a Deli Slicer in which I cut meat, prepared salad, and created orders
- Acquired values such as proper courtesy, time management, and the customer is always right
Willie Wells Farm, Connersville, Indiana
Farmer ~ June 2011- August 2014
- Maintained, fed, and cared for the animals; including hogs, cattle, and chicken.
- Gained core values from the experience such as discipline, independence, and rewarding hard labor
- Tasks as assigned, accordingly including shoveling manure
Podcasts
Metagame Podcast Host The MetaGame S1E1 The MetaGame S1E2 The MetaGame S1:E4 The MetaGame S2E1 The MetaGame S2E2 Ball State Daily News Page Spinoff: Respawn Episode 1 Features SPINCast “Collegiate Esports Series“ Heart of the Story w/ Gary Metivier Looking for Group Collegiate Director Interview NACE Member Testimonial for Kovaak 2.0 |
Casting Experience
As a hybrid caster comfortable in both play-by-play and color commentary, I am adaptable to be flexible with the needs of the production staff I collaborate with. I began casting in 2017 as an undergraduate with the Battle for Indiana Overwatch event. The journey has led me to consistent weekly work with collegiate conferences such as the NECC. In 2022 alone, I casted LAN events across the country including Boston (MA), Albany (NY), Omaha (NE), and Davenport (IA),
LAN EVENTS
Rocket League
FORMER CO-CASTERS
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ONLINE EVENTS
Rocket League
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News Articles
“Paradigm hosting first esports tourney” “First Ever Augie/Ambrose Esports Showdown” “Inavate Magazine”Digital champions: Obstacles and opportunities for AV in esports "Davenport esports, VR gaming center opens before first tournament" Shift Wiki Page “Shooting in Florida hits local esports business close to home” https://neccgames.com/landing/06.10.21_-_HS_Showcase_Recap |
“Gaming Disorder: what it means”
“Cardinal eSports club not just for gamers“ “Ball State students create eSports team, compete nationally“ “Flooding catastrophe strikes Davenport”” “VR business owner sees light at end of tunnel“ “Where flood detours meet bridge construction, Village of East Davenport businesses cutting costs to make ends meet" Chase Neukam named Esports Coach Paradigm Director to lead Bees’ esports program Orion’s Bernhardt signs for e-sports “Iowa Students Look to Esports as Career” “President Trump Issues A Police Reform Executive Order” ESPN 1170 Radio: St. Ambrose Team to Battle in Acer Invitational Announcing The Paradigm Lighthouse League |