Meet Esports Coach, Jake Neerland
Jake Neerland will take over the formation and management of Concord University’s esports team in early May. Neerland has competed in esports for the past six years, coached multiple teams, and coordinated with big sponsors, including Blizzard and Twitch, to host a gaming tournament.
“I’m incredibly excited to be part of this program,” Neerland says. “As a coach, my aspirations are to build teams capable of competing on any stage they step on.”
Neerland comes to Athens, West Virginia from Iowa. He has a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and a minor in Communication Studies from Iowa State University. In addition to esports experience, his professional background includes social media strategy, community management, marketing, and event management.
Concord officials are excited about the plans Neerland has for this new endeavor, and the expertise he brings to the table.
“I want to involve students as much as possible,” Neerland says. “If you’re interested in social media, photography, videography, graphic design, event planning, or just have a great idea, I want to talk about how we can work together.”
Follow Jake and CU’s esports program on our official social media pages for the latest on tryout information and updates on arena construction.