The gaming and esports industry is about connection, inclusion, and growth, but what happens when people interested in participate can’t do it because they lack the resources to do it. That is why organizations like Varsity Esports Foundation exist; to ensure connectivity for low-income families and schools.

In this episode of Esports Connected, Megan is joined by  Bubba Gaeddert, Executive Director of Varsity Esports Foundation. He has over 20 years of experience in non-profit and development. Being a child raised in the urban core of Oklahoma, where funding and STEM weren’t available, he is aware of the importance of creating pipelines to esports and gaming for students from the urban core and low-income areas. 

They discuss the foundation’s mission and vision, interns, and the gaming industry’s future. Bubba explained how the Varsity Esports Foundation acts as connective tissue between the industry and people from less fortunate areas. We talked about the challenges of organizing esports events and people jumping into the industry just to make money. 

You can connect with Bubba on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bubbagaeddert/

Or find him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bubbagaeddert

You can also visit Varsity Esports Foundation’s website: https://www.varsityesportsfoundation.org/

The Esports Connected Podcast was created by the Esports Trade Association. To find out more, visit: https://esportsta.org/

Full Episode Breakdown:

0:40 – Bubba explains why they decided to start acting in esports.

3:50 – Being a connective tissue. Bubba talks about what kind of organization the foundation wants to be.

8:13 – Bubba talks a bit about how he manages all the projects he’s involved in.

11:13 – Bubba shares his opinion of what will happen in the gaming industry in the following years.

13:46 – Megan and Bubba talk about the importance of mentoring.

19:26 – Megan and Bubba talk about esports not being a household name yet. 

23:17 – Bubba talks about “the esports Mecca.”

27:18 – Bubba compares organizing traditional sports events with putting together an esports competition.

30:23 – Megan and Bubba talk about opportunists jumping into the industry to make lots of money quick.

34:10 – Bubba talks about the future projects of the Varsity Esports Foundation for 2021.

38:27 – Megan and Bubba talk about what needs to be done to raise awareness about inclusion and increasing connectivity.