Aug. 16, 2022
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Lucas Campoverde/Esports Coach
Candace Harmon/Media Relations
CONCORDIA HIRES FORMER POLICE OFFICER AS FIRST ESPORTS COACH
After being shot in the line of duty, Lucas Campoverde hopes to offer emotional support to students
(Moorhead, Minn.) – Concordia College has hired Lucas Campoverde as the head coach for its inaugural esports varsity team.
Campoverde was the head coach for the game Overwatch and a video editor at Fenworks, a Grand Forks company that provides competitive gaming opportunities for K-12 institutions. He also helped start the esports program at the Grafton, N.D., high school.
“This is a dream job for me,” Campoverde said. “We’re excited to hit the gas on this program, develop a very inclusive environment, and create something all Cobbers can be proud of.”
Prior to Fenworks, Campoverde had been a police officer in Grafton before medically retiring after being shot in August 2020. In addition to coaching players, Campoverde says he will be available to any student who may have suffered emotional or physical trauma.
“I want to be another safe space for advice or conversation," said Campoverde. "I do not want to have gone through something as terrible as I did and have it just sit there. I feel like I can do something here with it that makes sense. I’m grateful for everyone who has supported me in my recovery.”
Campoverde will spend the fall semester building two teams, League of Legends and Rocket League. Competition is expected to begin in January 2023.
This April, Concordia announced the launch of its esports program. The college completed construction this summer of its gaming lounge in the lower level of the Park Region Hall. The space includes 18 gaming computers that are available for all students and staff to use.
Click here for photos of Campoverde and the esports gaming lounge.
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