Esports Classroom Podcast

Patrick Donovan

5.0 (1)
Education
Updated Weekly

Project where we interview esports coaches from various high schools and colleges so that they can share out how they started their programs, how they run their programs, and everything they have learned in the process. Esports is a growing trend in schools and they can have such a powerful impact on students.

Mar 9

Episode 23 - Anatomy of a Season

In this episode, we have no guest this week but instead I share out how a team goes from formation all the way to the in-person state championship. My Ames High Esports Rocket League team competed hard all season to advance to the playoffs where they won 4-0 to advance to the in-person state tournament in Marshalltown, IA. I share out how the season works in the Iowa High School Esports Association and share some highlights from the tournament itself. This episode wraps up Season 1 of the Esports Classroom Podcast but many more episodes are coming after a short break, so stay tuned! You can find the livestreams of our state tournament matches at https://www.youtube.com/@iahsea

18 min
Mar 1

Episode 22 - Gavin Drummond

In this episode, we talk with Gavin Drummond who is the founder of the Youth Gaming Association. Gavin has been impacted by scholastic esports as a high school player, college coach and Student Director at Mizzou, and has even worked with some pro esports organizations. Hear what this former pro Overwatch player has been impacted by esports and where we could go next with scholastic esports. You can contact Gavin and learn more about the Youth Gaming Association at https://www.yga.info, support@yga.info, and www.linkedin.com/in/lillucio/

33 min
Feb 22

Episode 21 - Albert (Alby) Rassavong

In this episode, we talk with Albert (Alby) Rassavong who is currently the Assistant Director of Esports & Intramurals at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA. Alby is also the founder of the Collegiate Fighting Game Conference where he has worked to grow the esports scene around fighting games through league structures, partnerships, and events. Hear Alby’s take on collegiate esports and of course why fighting games should be included in the scholastic esports scene.

30 min
Feb 15

Episode 20 - Josh Fischer

In this episode, we talk with Josh Fischer who is currently the Head Esports Coach at Wartburg College in Waverly, IA. Josh has also been a college esports player which led him into being a coach at the college level. Coach Fisch makes it clear to his players that esports is a place where they belong and ensures that this message is heard clearly. Hear about his experience and how he thinks esports can impact students.

29 min
Feb 8

Episode 19 - Connor Alne

In this episode, we talk with Connor Alne, also known as Coach Alne, who is currently the Executive Director of NAECAD. Connor has a long history in scholastic esports from helping to organize esports events, leading programs at the college level, and leading the High School ESports League. Hear what he has to say about the current state of esports and what he would like to see happen for esports in the next 5 years.

34 min
Feb 1

Episode 18 - Seth Taylor

In this episode, we talk with Seth Taylor who is an Esports Coach/Director at Robinson ISD in Texas. Seth’s school is in their 2nd year with their HS program and has started a program at their junior high school. Seth is not a teacher at the school but was hired specifically to coach esports after spending some time running a LAN center. Here how he got started and how his own history gaming has helped him become an esports coach.

32 min
Jan 25

Episode 17 - Ryne and Roby

In this episode, we talk with Ryne Erickson and Roby Widner who are currently playing collegiate esports at Marshalltown Community College. Ryne and Roby were high school students who were part of our first year of Esports at Nevada HS. They won multiple state Mario Kart titles while at Nevada HS and have had a ton of success while playing at the collegiate level. Listen to hear how they transitioned from HS to college esports and how esports has impacted them.

26 min
Jan 18

Episode 16 - Scott Beiter

In this episode, we talk with Scott Beiter who is a secondary high school science teacher but also runs his district’s esports program. Scott is also the president of the Empire State Scholastic Esports Federation (ESSEF.org) which helps to promote scholastic esports and helps run the esports program for high schools in New York state. Hear about his experiences as a coach, how New York is running esports, and even how esports can turn a quiet kid in class into one of the primary leaders on a team.

43 min

Project where we interview esports coaches from various high schools and colleges so that they can share out how they started their programs, how they run their programs, and everything they have learned in the process. Esports is a growing trend in schools and they can have such a powerful impact on students.

Creator

Patrick Donovan
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

23
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Patrick Donovan
Show Website

Esports Classroom Podcast