When it comes to teaching esports at an academic level, schools should look for teachers with academic qualifications only or people with practical experience in gaming? Dr. Joey Gawrysiak believes that ideally, they should look for a mix of both; the amalgamation of industry practitioners and traditional academic researchers. 

Dr. Joey Gawrysiak is Director of Esports Shenandoah University and Co-Founder and Partner at GHS Esports Solutions. Dr. Joey is an old-school gamer; he used to play competitive Halo traveling on his own dime and competing for a case of Bawls energy drink. 

He is a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Sports and Fitness Administration/ Management. He is passionate about teaching, diminishing racial disparity, and making the esports scene a place with more opportunities for people of color, females, and every other underrepresented population.

In this episode, we talked about esports programs in schools, what is available, and what we can expect in the future. Dr. Joey also shared his vision on how esports and gaming programs can offer better opportunities for students and how he’s working to make that happen. 

Connect with Dr. Joey Gawrysiak on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joey-gawrysiak-68516646/

Or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/joeygawrysiak

Visit Shenandoah University’s website: https://www.su.edu/

Connect with Dr. Marc on Twitter: https://twitter.com/docspitsfire06

Or

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/docspitsfire06/

Full Episode Breakdown:

7:34 – Dr. Marc introduces today’s guest, Dr. Joey G.

12:57 – Dr. Marc and Dr. Joey talk about Dr. Hawkins and how important he is for them.

17:16 – Dr. Joey talks a bit about his background as a student and his relationship with gaming.

21:41 – Dr. Joey speaks about his experience playing competitive Halo.

25:21 – Dr. Marc talks about the importance of being on point when we meet someone. “It is not about who you know; it’s about who knows you.”

32:30 – Dr. Joey gives a simple definition of esports.

35:34 – Dr. Joey offers a piece of simple advice for schools interested in starting an esports program.

40:25 – Dr. Marc and Dr. Joey discuss what kind of professionals should be lecturing esports and gaming programs at universities.

42:11 – Dr. Joey talks about the academic freedom in esports and gaming programs. 

47:29 – Dr. Marc and Dr. Joey talk about the importance of experimental learning in esports programs and any academic course.

52:55 – Dr. Joey talks about diversity in the esports and gaming industry and what he is doing from his place to make it happen.