NAECAD Regional Clinic - Shenandoah

Welcome to the official registration page for the NAECAD Regional Clinic at Shenandoah University. 

* FOR TAX-FREE INVOICE, please email calne@naecad.org

This NAECAD Regional Clinic will offer a variety of specialized clinics with opportunities to network, learn, and equip yourself with new skills. This immersive one-day event features industry experts who provide foundational knowledge on building and growing esports programs. Attendees are also given networking opportunities, making this clinic an ideal setting to connect with the right people and create lasting professional relationships.

Who Should Attend:

• High School Teachers, Coaches, & Administrators
• District & County Representatives
• College Coaches & Directors
• College Professors

Learning Pathways Offered at This Event:

• Year 0 (just starting out, no formal esports program yet)
• Year 1 (have organized a team and competed in at least 1 event)
• Year 2+ (Have an established program
• Esports in Higher Ed

Schedule Overview:

Thursday Feb. 20th

• 7:00 - 9:00PM - OPTIONAL Pre-Event Social
  
  • location: TBD

Friday, Feb. 21st

• 9 AM - Doors Open
• 9:45 AM - Event Kickoff
• 10:00 AM - Clinics begin
• Noon - Lunch (included) + Networking
• 1:30 PM - NAECAD Arcade ft: breakouts, organized conversations, and booth activations
• 3:45 PM - Closing Ceremony (free to leave afterward)
  
• 4:00 - 6:00 PM Gaming & Networking at Esports Facility (optional)

Clinics at this Event ( Select 1):

Clinic #1: Coaching Fundamentals

Explore the five fundamentals of esports coaching with NAECAD Director Connor Alne. In this clinic, you will be challenged to take your coaching to the next level through the five pillars of esports coaching: establishing expectations, team building, practice planning, setting the pace, and recognizing results.

Speaker: Connor Alne, Director of NAECAD

Connor "Coach" Alne has played an integral part in the development of scholastic esports. Connor first got involved in esports while achieving his bachelor’s degree at the University of Iowa. After graduation, he was brought to Ottawa, Kansas, to lead the development of the Braves Esports program. He then set his sights on high school esports, becoming the Commissioner of the High School Esports League. Throughout his career, he also built a social media following under the name Coach Alne, teaching about esports; was recognized at the 2020 Esports Awards; and published 2 book entitled "100 Jobs in Esports" & “Hard Carry”. 

Clinic #2: Starting an Esports Program

How do I get started? That is the first question we get after a teacher or administrator learns about the incredible benefits of adding an esports program! In this clinic, we will walk you through the steps it takes to create and run a well-rounded esports program, leaving you with the knowledge to not only get started – but start building the right way.

Speaker: Julie Mavrogeorge, Founder of the California Esports Association

Julie Mavrogeorge is a seasoned professional in the fields of esports, drones, and STEAM education, currently serving as the Business Owner and CEO of Jdovmav Consulting and holding several key positions, including Board of Directors at Affinity Esports and Esports League Director & Educational Consultant at Cleverlike Studios, Inc. Julie's extensive experience includes project consultancy at Educational Collaborators, mentorship with Women in Games International, and ambassador roles with Drone Legends and Generation Esports, all aimed at promoting educational initiatives and career pathways in technology and gaming. With a background in Exercise Science and Kinesiology from California State University, Fresno, alongside web development certifications, Julie has consistently demonstrated a commitment to innovative learning and developing inclusive esports programs across various educational levels.

Clinic #3: Esports Event Planning

From a simple community event to a major campus tournament, in this clinic we are building an outline of what it looks like to run an esports event. We will explore the responsibilities in each scale and how simple the transition can be to grow an event!

Speaker: Fernando Preciado-Leal, Coordinator of Esports Competition at Shenandoah University

Fernando’s experience playing on professional teams, collegiate teams, and coaching at multiple universities prepares him well for the position of Coordinator of Competition. As the Coordinator of Esports Competition, he oversees the competitive esports teams and the development of the coaches for the varsity program. His background in private security tactics help him elevate student communication and in-game decision-making.

Clinic #4: Professors in Esports

Integrating esports into higher education has been gaining traction over the past 5 years. In this clinic, we are going to bring together the professors who are at the forefront of this developing field to share best practices on how to continue growing as a professor, lecturer, and esports educator.

Speaker: Zander Merle-Smith, Esports Lecturer at Shenandoah University

 Zander Merle-Smith received his Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Tech and MBA with a focus in Esports Management from Shenandoah University. He has plans to continue his education with an EdD in the future.His previous experience as broadcast production lead, esports commentator, and event operations has given him the background knowledge to prepare the next generation for the esports industry. Merle-Smith has performed as on-camera talent for high school, collegiate, and professional esports events.

Travel & Lodging:

Fairfield by Marriott Winchester for 104.00 USD per night

Reservation Link: https://www.marriott.com/event...

250 Front Royal Pike Winchester, Virginia, USA, 22602

About NAECAD:

The National Association of Esports Coaches and Directors (NAECAD – pronounced Nay-cad), founded in 2019, is the primary professional organization for competitive esports coaches and directors at all levels of competitive play. Our mission is to serve, legitimize, and advance competitive esports with NAECAD members at the epicenter of leadership, advocacy, and professional development. Through our online learning, community, regional clinics, and national conventions - we equip our members to be leaders in esports.

For more information, please visit naecad.org