SPRINGFIELD., Mo.- Drury University esports head coach Michael Jones has been selected to serve as a founding member of the advisory committee for the National Association of Esports Coaches and Directors. Formed in 2018, the NAECAD serves as the professional organization for competitive esports coaches and directors at all levels of play (club, high school, college, and professional).
"Esports has seen immense growth the last few years, particularly at the collegiate level, and there is a need for additional training and professional development opportunities for people looking to work in this field," said Jones. "As an organization ran by coaches, for coaches, NAECAD is uniquely positioned to fill that need. I am very excited to join many of my coaching peers in the region as a founding member of this new association."
Jones previously guided the esports team at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri for two years before his arrival in Springfield to launch the program at Drury.
One of the major roles of the NAECAD will be to work with the governing bodies of the groups represented by
the esports coaches and directors, including – the National Association of Collegiate Esports, Riot Scholastic
Association of America, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the National Association of Intercollegiate
Athletics, the National Junior College Athletic Association and the National Federation of State High School
Associations, and state athletic associations across the country.
"Like traditional sports, most esports athletes won't go on to become professionals…that said, there are countless job opportunities, in particular as a coach, thanks to the growth of esports as a scholastic activity," said Jones. "The exponential growth of esports at the collegiate level, going from a handful of school's with teams to over a hundred varsity programs in just a few years, has led to more and more high schools creating esports clubs. NAECAD will help prepare educators at all levels to use this new activity to enhance the student experience.
"As a founding member and volunteer on the advisory council, I have provided feedback on the new organization's constitution and bylaws, as well as the first offering of professional development courses that will be available soon to our members."
Drury University will enter their first year of intercollegiate competition in esports during the 2019-20 school year.
Full news release from the NAECAD
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