Join us for our latest addition in our Careers in Esports Webinar Series featuring Jason Deshong and Sky Kauweloa, Collegiate Directors at University of Hawaii and Grand Canyon University
In this edition, we explore the collegiate esports director career pathways with Nyle Sky Kauweloa, Ph.D. from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and Jay DeShong from Grand Canyon University. Esports directors in postsecondary education institutions are responsible for managing and overseeing all aspects of the esports program on campus. This includes registering teams/players for competition, recruiting players for all supported titles, scheduling practice and match times, managing coaches for each title, and assisting with events as needed.
The webinar is a must-attend for students and educators alike, providing a unique perspective on the expanding realm of esports careers far beyond the more conventional roles of players and coaches.
Jason Deshong is a prominent figure in the esports community, known for his influential roles ranging from the President of Mississippi State Esports Club to an esports event admin and further even as a Coca-Cola Esports Ambassador. His journey in esports began with the founding of his first organization during the "Call of Duty: Ghosts" era, eventually leading to pivotal roles with Dallas Fuel/Team Envy and MainlineGG. Deshong's dedication to the field is rooted in his personal history – growing up and finding solace in baseball before transitioning to esports. His accomplishments, such as orchestrating the first ever nationwide Madden tournament and creating the Kid Collective for VALORANT community tournaments, demonstrate his commitment to fostering esports communities and his passion for the industry.
Sky Kauweloa, an esteemed academic in the realm of collegiate esports, authored the first major dissertation in the field of collegiate esports and played a pivotal role in integrating the Overwatch League with university programs, supervising over 40 interns. His eclectic background, marked by a passion for gaming, surfing, and skateboarding, fueled his innovative research that led to the formation of the University of Hawaii Esports. Under his leadership at UH Manoa, he focuses on nurturing diverse and indigenous communities, exemplified by the establishment of the Women of UH Esports. Kauweloa's academic pursuit in esports, sparked in 2014, was significantly shaped by the pioneering esports model at Robert Morris University.
