Greetings from UCI Esports,
We have been incredibly fortunate to have phenomenal people walk through our doors and contribute to the creation of our program. As we begin our sixth year, we want to thank the following folks who have left us in the past year, and acknowledge their work and legacy.
Jess Acebes: Original student staff, intern, Girls in Gaming camp co-founder, streaming class teacher, NASEF tournament ops, meat lover.
Erik Bleitz: Strategic planning lead, leadership board administrator, marketing guru, main tank, text-based game entrepreneur.
Milo Dodson: Team psychologist, the Milo of Milo meetings, speaker, celebrity, travel buddy and roommate in China.
Samantha Anton: OCHSEL tournament coordinator, NASEF COO, admissions expert, tour guide, emcee, kombucha advocate, mortal enemy of all Scorpios.
Hillary Phan: Player Support Coordinator, Intern, Girls in Gaming camp co-founder, multi-award winning Animal Crossing island designer, bean.
Damian Rosiak: Original Arena Supervisor, intern, streaming lead, special projects coordinator, Smash Ultimate overseer, NHL tournament overlord, Breakaway world champion.
Kathy Chiang: Fastest typist on the west coast, original Arena Coordinator, TAG founder, role model, collegiate leader, mentor, friend, cat mom.
As we close our chapters with these superstars, we are making a few changes to our current team.
Ronald Ly is transitioning from Overwatch Head Coach to Acting Assistant Director.
“To my mentors and colleagues that have taught, inspired, and encouraged me these last 3 years, know that it has been a privilege to cross paths with such inspiring teammates. Our program has been enriched and made strong by your work, and I’m excited to see what we’ll all accomplish in the future, whether it be at UCI Esports, elsewhere, or beyond.”
- Ronald “Renanthera” Ly
Michael Kuhns has moved from Assistant Coach to Head Coach of Overwatch to replace Ronald.
“I am excited to take on this new role and to lead our Overwatch team heading into the new year. We have the most talent we have ever had and I am excited for our future.”
- Michael “The” Kuhns
In other positive news, UCI leadership is ramping up support for esports and we will have several full-time and part-time jobs available in the coming months. We will be looking for the next generation of hard carries for our small, but mighty, department.
We just opened up the Arena Coordinator Position which will be filled in the coming weeks. Additionally, we are planning to hire an Assistant Director, a Communications Manager, and two part-time assistant coaches in the next six months.
We will miss all of our colleagues who have left and will cheer them on in their next adventures. Please join us in thanking our departed staff and stay tuned for some of the exciting things coming soon.
Mark Deppe
Director, UCI Esports
