Speaker 1: 0:01

Thank you and welcome to another episode of Carolina Otaku Podcast. I am Afro and I am here with my co-host.

Speaker 2: 0:08

Lexi.

Speaker 1: 0:10

Like I said, welcome back. As you can see, it is not just Lexi and I. We do have a guest with us. So, guest, do you mind introducing yourself?

Speaker 3: 0:23

Of course, of course. See the team be the team, my enra team. Welcome back, toxic Family. If you don't know now you know I'm your host Too, toxic Tony. I'm the special guest. So you know I'm here, man, I'm glad to be here Awesome.

Speaker 1: 0:36

Think of what.

Speaker 2: 0:38

It's going to be late.

Speaker 1: 0:39

Just like we had missed on here before it we have missed on here before it's like we like that you gotta have an intro.

Speaker 3: 0:44

You gotta sell the brand, right, you gotta sell the brand, you gotta sell the product. So you know you gotta come. I'm coming in hot, I'm definitely coming in hot man.

Speaker 1: 0:53

Oh man, I fucked with that. I dig it, I can dig it, but you gotta know how we start these off, what we've been up to lately and we'll start been up to lately. And, uh, start off with lexi. I know that you went to twitch con. You were preparing to go to twitch con the last time that we talked. How was it? How was that travel? And, just in general, just how was your trip?

Speaker 2: 1:16

yes, I'm back now. It was like last week, um, and then I'm getting ready for DreamHack again. I know I know. So it was fun. I left Thursday, flew out of Atlanta to San Diego, got lucky my best friend was coming down and then a good friend of mine was also there with me, so I didn't have to get an Uber. I had rental cars available to me. So that's great, because if you know about california, those uber prices are expensive to go everywhere, um. So the concert friday um, got up pretty early get our badges. Wasn't there, wasn't a line or anything, so we just got them. And then, um, pretty much it was just we walked around, did a lot of like buying stuff because we had a friend that couldn't come, so we made sure we got them a care package of stuff and ended up sending it to them.

Speaker 3: 2:18

Yeah, I am a nice friend, that's crazy work.

Speaker 2: 2:23

So we ended up getting him a care package package. We sent it off to him before we left um, and then that friday my best friend was down. I told a story on my twitch, but I I will tell it here. So, like my best friend lives in california, um, like I've known this guy since, like I was a freshman in high school, uh. So he was like I'm in town, where are you? I told him where I was, so he pulled up to the starbucks that I was at and like I saw him and like I just booked it, I started running and like we did the full hug and everything.

Speaker 1: 2:56

It was so cute like a movie, shit, basically oh my god oh my god.

Speaker 3: 3:05

And they just run together and just like jump and hug, like what?

Speaker 2: 3:09

yes, yes okay have a day so, anyways, we did that. And then, um, anyways, he wasn't going to the con, so whatever. And uh, once we got back he came over. We went, got some ramen, we were going to get some tattoos, but the place we wanted to go to was closed, so we couldn't get tattoos. We came back to the Airbnb and they have never seen Freaknik, the documentary. I made them sit down and watch it.

Speaker 1: 3:41

Why would you make somebody sit down and watch?

Speaker 3: 3:43

that it's overrated. It's overrated. It's overrated now.

Speaker 2: 3:46

Now, I expected something different than than the documentary when I heard they're gonna come with the freak nick well, we were at an airbnb and they didn't have all that on there, so we just watched the documentary and kept it moving, um, so anyways, that was the first day. Second day, my best friend left because he had to go to work. So me and my good friend Boba went to the con. So my good friend Boba, he's like 6'2", 6'3" big guy or whatever, and so he had like these beads, like wood beads, on his neck, like a kuma.

Speaker 2: 4:23

Yes, just like a kuma. So like everybody kept stopping him and he's not. He's not like the social type, so like it is really interesting. Um, and so second day we mostly watched like twitch, uh, rivals most of the day. Um, we just like stopped at some booths. I think I stopped at a call of duty booth. Uh, played black ops 6 for a bit. Um, bought some more stuff. That was pretty much the second day. And third day we were just like wrapping up. Like I met some people that I knew and took some pictures and we went to like this lo-fi event. Um, it was really cool. And then, um, yeah, we just packed up and we left like this is my first time going. So I wasn't like, oh my god, I'm gonna take a bunch of pictures and be all like everywhere. I was like really chilling or whatever and trying to enjoy my time.

Speaker 1: 5:15

So yes, um what did you buy? What? Um what did you buy? Look, nosy, um. So I online. How's that being nosy, sure so?

Speaker 2: 5:33

I. So I bought a lot of stuff and, like I didn't carry, I didn't bring a carry-on bag with me, I just had my luggage and my luggage was already full, so this cup is one of them. I bought this at the Starbucks there. There's a school mug I bought. I bought a bunch of shirts, I bought a coat, I bought some. Well, I bought some U-Tunes they had one for MatPat and they had one for Anya. And then at the Twitch Rivals my friend won like a goodie bag and it had a pop in it, so he gave it to me. Jake from State Farm.

Speaker 1: 6:14

Okay, the light-skinned one, right, the black one.

Speaker 3: 6:18

And I have State Farm, so yeah, so that's what that was.

Speaker 2: 6:25

I bought a few more things, but that's pretty much. What I shipped back was the Pops, because they were going to be too big to go in my luggage, so I just went there and did it, and then we also had to ship off that care package, because I wasn't going to ship that shit off when I got home and I'm not taking it with me. So we stopped at FedEx to ship my best friend his stuff.

Speaker 1: 6:40

Makes sense, makes so it makes sense, makes sense. I can do that. Um me, not really much shit. A lot of driving. Um, I'm in tennessee right now. Or jay nook um, jay nook is basically it's jams. Basically they deal with rolling out and organizing basically MacBooks and everything that's Apple Tennessee ain't bad. I got to talk about driving etiquette real quick. All right. If I'm on a long road trip and I'm cruising, I got cruise control on in the slow lane. It's only a two lane highway, if you know for a fact. If you see me because I know you can see me because I'm in this big red burgundy truck If you see me about to get behind, so close behind this truck, you're in this fast lane, not going fast. That means I have to stop my car, push my brake. My cruise control's done. You just fuck up my whole flow. Now I gotta wait for your dumb ass to go by, just so I can get behind you and just get back into position, just so I can get around the car that I was trying to get around.

Speaker 2: 8:03

You took the truck.

Speaker 1: 8:05

Yeah, I took the truck. I wasn't going to take my Volvo and get into an accident out here in. Tennessee, you crazy. And also I brought my guns with me because I went to the ranger. My co-worker from Ireland. He flew in, so he went to the ranger yesterday and shot a few.

Speaker 2: 8:26

Nice.

Speaker 1: 8:28

It was cool he can't I mean, the gun laws there are totally crazy, so he can't really shoot a lot. It was cool, though. Tennessee ain't bad, it's just a I don't know a central North Carolina.

Speaker 2: 8:46

At least you haven't had to deal with streets having no stoplights, no traffic lights. That's what I've been dealing with here.

Speaker 3: 8:53

Oh damn, that just means go.

Speaker 2: 8:56

No, because people don't know how to treat it. They'll go when you're supposed to treat it as a stop and just keep moving. I've seen so many close accidents. It's been crazy yeah.

Speaker 1: 9:10

But other than that, not really much of shit. Just work and, like I said, just travel. Oh shit, I didn't tell you. I made the reservation. We use this application called Navin and basically it gets approved and the company pays for shit.

Speaker 3: 9:30

They use a virtual card.

Speaker 1: 9:32

Tell me why I get here at two fucking PM. I go to that front desk.

Speaker 2: 9:38

They don't have a reservation.

Speaker 1: 9:40

No, they have my name in the reservation but it wasn't fucking paid and they were like we need, you need to pay this. You can't get a room without paying this. This room, for the nights that I was staying, was about $2,100.

Speaker 3: 9:56

Excuse me, is it a nice room?

Speaker 1: 10:01

It's alright.

Speaker 3: 10:02

Oh okay, Can you excuse me Two queen beds.

Speaker 1: 10:06

I'd rather have a whole king. It's just where it is. It's downtown Nashville, you know what I mean. It's convenient where J Nook is. I can just walk right across the street. I talked to my manager and I was like I just had to come out of pocket. Two grand, the fuck is up.

Speaker 3: 10:28

No, you didn't. They would have had to pay for that that night. It ain't coming out of pocket two grand.

Speaker 1: 10:34

I was like all right, we don't get reimbursed for it. Of course, you get reimbursed for all your food and all that shit all my gas, all that shit, Whatever, because my coworker from Ireland. He had to do the same shit.

Speaker 2: 10:51

I'm so bad that I have a company card.

Speaker 3: 10:54

What if you don't have the money? Exactly, is this like a?

Speaker 1: 11:01

I mean because, at the end of the day, Because it would come down to basically day, because it would come down to basically. What it would come down to is there are no refunds in this hotel, right?

Speaker 1: 11:11

So you already know, if I didn't pay, I would have took my shit and my truck and my ass, would have went to a comfort inn and just drove down here, like I mean, I got the money, money whatever, but it's just like nah yo, that's crazy. And this was on a sunday. I came in on a sunday, man, fuck that, you see why I don't travel like that. You see why?

Speaker 2: 11:38

because I don't blame you, like this don't, don't, no, you need to travel stop that that was on. That was on your jobs and that's not like a traveling right, but anyway, I'm here and it's it's, it's cool.

Speaker 1: 11:51

Um, yeah, that's about it. That's about it, uh. So, as you guys know from the intro, we do have our guests and, uh, today we are going to be. I guess the big topic is going to be about esports, a lot of I don't know much about it. I know it's a thing and I know that people are very competitive in it and I also have some questions about it. But if you don't mind, kind of just going through what you do within eSports are you a competitor, have you been a competitor before? And just kind of just overall what you do within it.

Speaker 3: 12:41

All right. So I'm the director of esports at North Carolina Wesleyan University, so I'm also the head coach and the founder of the program. So on a day-to-day basis I kind of got the same job responsibility as an athletic director. We have like nine titles 2K NBA, madden, fifa, fortnite, tekken, super Smash Brothers, apex Legends and I'm definitely Madden FIFA, fortnite, tekken, super Smash Brothers, apex Legends and I'm definitely missing.

Speaker 2: 13:09

Madden.

Speaker 3: 13:11

So we got a plethora of games. You know, recruiting the same thing that an athletic director does is the same thing I do. Esports just means electronic sports. So everything, like I said, is traditional sport. We just do it virtually right. Um, I didn't compete, um, because at the time I created the program so I didn't have an opportunity to compete at a college, at a collegiate level. I'm very jealous of all the players that I have. I tell them that every day I said I had to build this and you guys get to compete and live the lavish life as far as.

Speaker 3: 13:49

But I did join the stream team in my master's program at Full Sail University. When I was getting my master's I said I ain't going to have time to do competitive gaming. It is what it is. It's my master's program. I don't want to stress myself. I was a one-year accelerated course. So I said I'll just do. You know the stream team and things like that. But now I did play competitively. So it was just like why didn't you just do it for them, Right? It was kind of weird, but I definitely did that.

Speaker 1: 14:18

And yeah, when? What year did you start the program?

Speaker 3: 14:23

2019, 2020. When what year did you start the program? Uh, 2019, 2020. So fall 2019 is when we started the program and it's literally it was like the perfect timing, because kovac just happened right, like they literally send everybody home in march march 15th, I think. My event was the last event. It was successful. We had 136 people there, um, and the whole world shut down. Everybody had to go home, right. So, um, it was a blessing and a curse all at the same time um, in that realm, damn okay, and I guess what?

Speaker 1: 14:58

okay? So you said it's like everything that a, a sporting, like collegiate coach, would do. So you, you go out and are you? Are people sending stuff to you? And you're like, okay, let's give this a look, or are you actually going out and you know finding people?

Speaker 3: 15:17

are different, programs got different. Uh, I guess pull that's the right, correct term um, I think esports is still new in the collegiate scene and there's not a lot of resources yet, but there they have been a lot from 2019 to 2024. So what do I mean by that? So a lot of people that are professional try to coach in college because college has validity, right, so they have a lot of you know people that follow them. They can recruit very easily because it's like I used to be a professional player, right. So they have a lot of you know people that follow them. They can recruit very easily because it's like I used to be a professional cop player. I want to go to school to get coached by a professional cop player Same with Duke and Coach K, even though Coach K never played in the NBA. But you go to Duke for you know things like that.

Speaker 3: 15:59

For me, I was a struggling route in the sense of I was an entertainer, I was a streamer um. In the sense of I was an entertainer, I was a streamer Um, but I definitely played uh, competitively. I played 2k um, cod um and things like that. I knew people that were professional, stuff like that, but I wasn't because I didn't do that route. I took the route of I'm going to need to get my master's degree and I need to create something Right, and that's the ride I took. It was very hard to convince people to literally join instead of just playing at home Because, realistically, what am I selling? I tell people all the time at the end of the day, anything you do in life is an investment Football, basketball. There's people that do basketball played in 52 AU games. They never made the lead Right. So I take it in the perspective of what are you willing to invest in? Yeah, you could play the game at home, but you're not going to get the collegiate experience, team bonding, the networking and also a degree ultimately Right.

Speaker 3: 16:59

So it was very challenging at first because one people didn't know me when I first came out. So it was a lot of guerrilla marketing, getting involved in the communities, local high schools and things like that, and in my area a lot of high school didn't even have esports. So I had to deal with some of the challenges like that. And I don't know how it is in different states, but certain states you have to have permission to go into schools, right. So dealing with some challenges with that because they're like oh, what's e-sports? You know, if you don't know about video games and e-sports to you, some people brush it off, right.

Speaker 3: 17:32

So, like I said in the beginning, first two years was very challenging. Now we gained some traction, I got some professional coaches on staff and things like that, and it's been good. Now I know, like you were saying earlier, now I get the hey coach, this is what I do. Here's a film, can you check me out? Right and so.

Speaker 3: 17:52

But it was a lot of hard work and it's not, it's not for the week. It is not easy. I tell people all the time yeah, it's my dream job. But my personality and who I am, to me it was like oh, this is, this is what I love to do.

Speaker 3: 18:04

But I could see from people that are not extroverted and things like that, it's very stressful because you have to recruit, you have to meet numbers, you have to be a visionary, you have to like, find ways to solve problems when they're not your problems. You got to create value for your program, right. So right now, now people ask hey, what makes your program unique? They can go to Shenandoah University and get a esports degree. Right, they can go to other schools, like Full City University, and get a degree. What makes you different? So I'm working on our esports certification for university just to add value, right. So some people don't finish school they already have esports certification and they'll be able to create value. Right. So some people don't finish school, they already have esports certification and they'll be able to create value for themselves as well. So it's all about I tell people all the time that started. It's all about creating value and what your school has to offer.

Speaker 3: 18:54

That's what you're really selling the student, because they can just play video games at home yeah, okay, okay, damn.

Speaker 1: 19:02

I never, never really thought it was like well, I never really thought it was that big. You know esports is a thing, but just doing it in college and then actually taking you somewhere to the point where you can actually make a really dope-ass career out of it, doing something that you actually love, is fucking amazing. What you starting everything was it was it more time consuming or more like capital coming out the pocket? Was it more time or more capital?

Speaker 3: 19:42

um, I say a little bit of both. I think time, but and you know the whole saying if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life. Right, and I do love it, just like how Kobe's obsessed with basketball, that ain't work for him. He's like I'm in the gym before everybody, that's what I love to do. Same way with me, because I'm a visionary. So to me I'm like yo, I want to do this, I want to do that, I want to do this and that, and then I'll just start writing it down Like okay, this is how we're going to do it.

Speaker 3: 20:13

So very time consuming, um initially. Um, I would say I tell people all the time if you want to go all in, then yes, it's. It's a lot of upfront costs. Like PCs ain't cheap. Video games now are 70, you know. So it's a lot of upfront costs. But you can um on the back end of it. It's like at that point you're good, like you already got the pcs. You're nervous, like you ain't gotta really pay for pcs like every three to five years. If you really take care of them, you ain't gotta pay for like seven. But you know every, you know um and consoles and things like that. So, um, for me it was more so. I told people all the time once you get the student population on your side, it's hard to say no. Once the interest there is very hard to say no. At that point the money has to shift because there's some value there, right. And then you know it's hard for some people.

Speaker 3: 21:02

For me I'd say you start off as a club, I do sporadic stuff. So for us we did dan tass revolution, we did um, you know mario kart, mario party jeopardy. We literally just did last week. Um, what did? We did fami feud. You know I'm saying so. We did faculty and staff family feud. We all came out and you know it was competitive. You know I couldn't have probably just failed ultimately because we had a league game, but I was, you know, I was mad, I was like I need to get in there, you know. So just creating that atmosphere for people and also educating them so they can understand what esports is, will help a lot.

Speaker 2: 21:41

So I had a question, so I know I hear it kids like wanting to get into esports, but like their parents won't do it. They'll just think video games are stupid. Like now that's leasing because, like twitch streamers are coming popular, but like what's some like advice you can give to somebody to like maybe get their parents buy-in? Or how do you get like your students like parents buy-in?

Speaker 3: 22:07

so, so, uh, for me, I always talk to the parents. I feel like, um, I always, even when they come for visits, I do, I'll talk to the parents, I'll have the player, the team captain of the game. They will take them on a separate tour. I talk to the parents, um, because it's a lot of educating, right? Um, not saying that my students cannot educate, but at the end of the day, the parents are going to want to know money, right, they. They want to know money, the environment, security. They want to know about class sizes, graduation rates and the value of your degree, because it's a no-brainer, we're $50,000 a year, right? People will complain about that, but then go to Duke and they're about $80,000 a year, but guess what they will say is Duke university, there's value in that degree, right? So, um, I, well, I just educate them because I tell them the same way I said earlier. I was like, at the end of the day, it's an investment. I'm teaching your son or daughter how to be an entrepreneur, a salesman, a visionary, um, and also team chemistry, sweat equity, like this is an entrepreneur. Basically, this is an entrepreneur, business, right In my eyes.

Speaker 3: 23:20

Because, at the end of the day, if you're going to be a streamer, you need to know how to keep people entertained. You need to know how to edit. You need to know and all these are life skills right, you can take it to a job. I already know how to edit. Well, you already got one up. You already know how to edit. You know how to create value for yourself. You know how to speak in front of the camera.

Speaker 3: 23:36

A lot of people can't do that. A lot of gamers can't do that. Right, you know how to conduct yourself in a professional setting. You know how to be a team player. So it's things like that I have to educate parents because they don't understand it Right. And then, once I break it down into sections, I said think about it like track. I got nine games. There's just like track. You know long jump, high jump jump, sprinters. You know four by one hurdlers, you know pole vault and things like that. You wouldn't question sending your son to track. So why would you question about sending your son or daughter into e-sports, right?

Speaker 1: 24:10

So about sending your son or daughter into esports, right. So let's see when you, when you actually like, if a kid is like I want to do it, let's say he's in high school. Let's say he plays a game. Let's say it's one of the games that you've actually you know, coach under you have a coach for, and everything like that. What are the things that you would tell somebody? If you want to come and get into this shit, start doing this so you can get better. Does that make sense?

Speaker 3: 24:44

yes. So, um, for me, I always tell you, always want to build a relationship with the coaches and I'm just going to be real, all the coaches they deal with a lot of emails and people want to do this and they say, oh, I'm better than you, guys, I'm better than this. So in my rule, my law and my facility, I told my players you should never let anybody on the outside of the club to tell you they better than you. And if they do, you tell them you come inside and you give them that work, you can invite them in it's free, it's free game, you know. So for the student, I always say reach out to the coaches, ask them what they're looking for. I think I think that switches up semesterly, because you know people graduate in December, graduate in fall. So I would like, once in a while, reach out hey, because you know people graduate in December, graduate in fall. So I would like, once in a while, reach out, hey, coach, you know, you know I play this position. Whatever the case may be, I just want to know what you're looking for. You know, this season I graduate at this time so I can keep working on my craft. And here's a little you know clips of me, or here's a couple of games of me. Can you take a look and let me know? What do I need to be working on Right now?

Speaker 3: 25:48

I would say it's hard because you know some coaches would be like, wow, I'll take a look at it in the summertime or fall, winter break or Thanksgiving, because they're coaching in season now. Right, but that's how I would tell a kid, I would tell my sister, I would tell anybody if you really want to do it, you got to know how to. You got to know how to communicate. You can't come and say, well, I'm the best at this, okay, like if you're the best, I will know you the best. This conversation wouldn't even happen, right, um? So I always tell people come, come in humble and ask the right questions. Make it concise. Nobody wants a long paragraph of questions and you're like okay. So that's why I would encourage um, anybody looking in to you know high school going to college so I just thought about this.

Speaker 1: 26:35

So you got somebody that comes in playing tekken. Do you prefer the question? Do you prefer them to use a regular controller or do you like arcade sticks?

Speaker 3: 26:48

I, I'm with both of them. Um, we do have people that use fight sticks. Uh, we do have them. Actually two of them. Two of them doesn't want to use a controller. I'm with it, whatever it takes to be great. If you need a fight stick, go get it, unless they say you can't use the fight stick, but sky's the limit. Who am I to tell you? No, no, not that I know of, but you never know, you never know. So they might say it's a competitive advantage. I don't know, but I will say this hey, bring it with you, come on, you know, and I'm with it, cause I'm a competitor. So I'm like I don't care what they talking about. You know, let's let's compete.

Speaker 1: 27:27

Out of the games that you do, that you have coaches for which one is actually like the toughest one.

Speaker 3: 27:36

This year Fortnite what.

Speaker 1: 27:43

For real they gone.

Speaker 3: 27:44

We are talking about what people don't know and a little bit about accolades. I've been here for four years. This is year four. We went to the finals three years in a row. My first year we won the NBA 2K National Championship in college. We also came in 3v3. We were the number one team and then we lost in the semifinals, so we got a trophy for that. And then all the other fighting games. We got a trophy for that. And then all the other fighting games we got medals. So you know what? The reason why and I gotta explain the reason why I say Fortnite is because obviously it's a team based game. I was gonna say the fighting games, but that's individual based. I'm not knocking it, but it's harder to do it with a teammate and that's you know. In my eyes it's harder to do it with a teammate and that's you know. In my eyes it's harder to do it with your team and go to the finals three years back to back. Like it's hard. So I would say Razza right now Fortnite.

Speaker 2: 28:41

What's your favorite game to coach?

Speaker 3: 28:42

Oh, of course 2K I don't know, of course, 2k. I actually like COD too, like they be going in COD too. They be going in COD. Cdl man and COD casters are one of the best casters in esports, so it just goes hand in hand. I'm just not as good as one of my friends. I can coach it. I don't think coaching is hard, but seeing someone play at that high level different beast, different beast it's a different beast.

Speaker 1: 29:19

Tell me if I'm wrong, but I could be wrong. But what's the main? When you guys pick, I guess everything is done on PC. Is that correct?

Speaker 3: 29:30

Console and PC Console and.

Speaker 1: 29:32

PC, okay, am I thinking with console? Is it mostly PS5?

Speaker 3: 29:39

Xbox, ps5, nintendo Switches and obviously PCs. I invested heavy. I said we'll figure it out later. I promise you High risk, high reward type of guy. But I bring results. So once you bring results. But it's hard to do that and a lot of people it's really hard.

Speaker 1: 30:04

How did you get the university to like?

Speaker 3: 30:09

To buy in.

Speaker 1: 30:10

Yeah, how did you get this big school to be like all?

Speaker 3: 30:13

right, I'm going to first say this Shout out to Dr Duff, who is the president of North Carolina Wesleyan University currently. Still, I will say this Right place, right time, the greatest blessing of all time. I will say my story. I started the esports program in the fall. The numbers kept growing.

Speaker 3: 30:37

He came to my class. He pulled up. I was sitting in the class. There was probably a seat right there. I was right there because I'm sitting here like I'm ready to go. I don't want to do that. So he walked by, followed me and he I never forget he looked at me. He said you come here. I was like me, the president. I said, oh, I'm getting kicked out. I said I'm getting kicked out, I don't mess it up. I'm looking in my head like bro, what did I do? Like what happened, right? And then he called and then, um, the teacher professor says she told me who you're talking to. I was like that's the president. He says hey, how you doing? Yeah, can I, can I? Oh, go ahead, hey, go ahead. You signed my checks. So he took me out in the hall, me. He talked to me. He said you know, I like what you're doing with the eSports program and things like that, and I think it's really cool. I want to offer you a position to be my intern. Would you like that?

Speaker 1: 31:44

Nigga. Yes, I'm not saying no, the fuck.

Speaker 3: 31:49

I looked around too. I was like this is prank. I was like this is prank. I was like, oh yes, sir, of course I'll do it. He's like, okay, cool, meet me. He said when do you have class? I'm like, okay, meet me here at 3 o'clock in his office. Whatever, we'll talk, or whatever. Okay.

Speaker 3: 32:05

So from then on I had open door access with the president. I'm talking about I'm in there pulling up like this. I mean because I used to work at Financial Aid and the director of Financial Aid, Leah Hill, she's my dog and she's my best friend. She was like some days I'll be bored. I said I'm going to the president office she goes, excuse me. And I said I'm going to the president office, she goes. I said I'm going to the president's office, she goes. I said I'm his intern, I can do that. She's like there's people that ask for meetings and it's hard to get a meeting with him and you're just going to walk in his office. Yes, and I guess what I did. I walked in there and she said I know what she said in her head. Ain't no damn way. And I walked in there and had a conversation.

Speaker 3: 32:48

But what made it unique was I maximized the opportunity. I told him to teach me the game and teach me how to keep growing. Teach me what I need to do. This is what I can offer right now, and things like that. It's just unfortunate COVID happened and everybody had to go home. Time was short and he asked me. He was like hey, you know what are you going to do? I said you know, I'm going to apply here. See if I get it. If I don't, I'm going to go get my master's degree. And he said okay. And then I didn't get the job at the university at the time and I went and got my master's degree and I was still working on a program as I was in Florida.

Speaker 3: 33:27

So, because I feel like it was an investment to myself. If I can make this work, I can go anywhere and make it work, right? So I was still working on a program when I was at my you know master program. I was still having weekly meetings with him. You know, hey, I'm not up there, it's COVID, right? I did ask him to fly me up there, shout out to him. He flew me up there. I ain't going to lie. I ain't going to lie. I was over there and they was like, yeah, coach J is going to pick him up, tell him to wear a mask if he's sick, stay in the hotel or whatever. So it was smooth. It was definitely smooth. I went there, did what I had to do and then I just flew back home and it was.

Speaker 3: 34:10

So when I graduated um, it was, he offered me the position and I just feel like it was, like I said, right place, right time and just a genuine guy, because he just invested in a kid he don't even know. Yeah, you know. And I was just like, well, thank you, I'm not gonna fail now, I can't fail. I will be boo, boo the fool to mess up. And you know, and it's hard for you know I'm saying it's hard for us to get there, so I had no other choice but to grow up very fast. I think that was the major thing as well. It was like all right, yeah, all those kid games, you playing and doing all those dumb stuff, yeah, I gotta go through the window because now people are watching, you know. So this is, I'm the investment child. They used to call me duff boy or whatever. So, um, I was all right, I'm with it, nice how, how do you?

Speaker 1: 35:05

how did you select your coaches? What was the process to become a coach? They have to like.

Speaker 3: 35:11

No, no, I'm going to be real. I'm going to be 100% real. I'm going to be 100% real. I'm a very transparent person. Alexi knows this. I tell if you know me, you blessed. I'm getting everybody out the hood. If you know me, you're blessed, right. But I was also blessed with having good IRLs that were very good at the game. I was very bad. I didn't know that blessing until, obviously, we grew up. You know, life happens and I go, wow, like the same, no more, right.

Speaker 3: 35:46

So one thing I noticed was, like I said and I had to put these together I said, okay, um, I need to look at recruiting, right. So how? What does recruiting look like for you? You need to have somebody who's a good recruiter in esports or that has value in esports to be able to recruit. So, uh, shout out to saucy.

Speaker 3: 36:05

He played in the nba 2k league for he check Gaming. He was the MVP finalist. I linked up with him in DC. I was at 2K League. I even got the little shirt for the Charlotte Venom. We talked whatever. He said he wanted to coach. I said are you sure? I took down my number, ran him through the interview. I said you hired, come on. Conversation was done.

Speaker 3: 36:30

He had another partner that worked in EA. He did Madden animations actually, so like they fly him out to Canada rooftop football field like all that you see on YouTube. Yeah, he was there and he did the animations for like five, seven years and he's very knowledgeable. He played with Coach JB seven years, um, and he's very knowledgeable, right, he played, uh, with coach jb I don't know if you know who that is at western kentucky, won national championships, things like that. Um, very, and he's a cool guy. Cool guy because if I didn't like him I wouldn't go. I wouldn't go and pick him up, I ain't gonna lie to you, but very cool guy. Very genuine, straightforward. We saw eye to eye. I said come on, so he coaches, madden um, apex.

Speaker 3: 37:10

I had a friend like this is my actual friend, like cam um, he's actually great at the game became apex letter masters with my, with a couple other, my friends and I was just like one year. He came to me he said you wanted to coach um, something happened with him. Cool, he didn't that. He came to me a second time, say I actually want to do it, or something cool. So I'm like, wow, I just got these great level coaches right. So, um, that's what it is. So I was also to a couple of my friends. If you serious, I treat it like a business. I'm not for play, play right, so I'm a different man when it comes to my job, um, but I I don't have problems with them. I'm actually grateful for them, I you know. Definitely shout out to them, for helping our students and giving us knowledge and stuff like that.

Speaker 3: 37:54

So, but we do have an interview process. I do not skip that with anybody, cause I want to know your goals, dreams and aspirations and how can I help you get there. I don't even expect none of my coaches to be with me for two years, because that's how good they are. I'm not even being funny. Um, now, I do I. If they're going to stay with me for more than two years because they like me, that's it like I just like you know we doing things but, I.

Speaker 3: 38:17

If they really wanted to move up, they can easily. Within a year, they they have everything laid out. Tell them what to do, did I'll be, I roll to practice and I just like, oh okay, he there. All right. Cool, this conversation is done, like you know.

Speaker 1: 38:30

So Gotcha Do you have to deal when? So right now, where you are right now, does the school get sponsors and stuff like that? And I guess, when you go through that process of sponsorship and stuff like that, if, if it does happen, how does that go for you? Who steps for that?

Speaker 3: 38:52

this is very hard. It's very hard because we're a small division three school. So you got, um, we do have one sponsorship. We see two grips. Um, that was just a blessing in disguise. As you know, you go to the event, you meet people, network, bada bing, bada, boom, I sold program.

Speaker 3: 39:10

So at the end of the day, with these sponsorships, it's very hard because you have to show value, right, what's the difference between us and Duke? Duke is Duke, so they get gifted things like that. And you know it's hard because it's like, yeah, we don't have that many students, but we have value here. And to them it's like we hear you, but if I put a Kia car in Duke and a Kia car in North Carolina, where's the university? Right, do my bite first, respectfully, right, right, and I sell myself and build that connection in hopes of you know what? Hey, we got some extra money. We'll slide it this way. You know we'll help them out and we'll get money here. Because it is hard, especially coming, you know, in a small university competing against bigger D1 institutions, it is extremely hard, but I will not let that be an obstacle for me. At the end of the day, I'm going to continue creating value for our programs and we're just going to keep trying to knock out each benchmark and stepping stone.

Speaker 1: 40:18

Nice. I love that. It's interesting.

Speaker 2: 40:36

Lexi knows about this and stuff like that, but it's interesting that and Lexi, when this message came to us.

Speaker 1: 40:40

It's random, but when I how can I put this man Honestly I'm really surprised that this is going to sound crazy as shit that people actually listen to us.

Speaker 2: 40:56

Oh my God, can you stop, can you stop?

Speaker 1: 40:59

No, like for real though, because I know I say some crazy shit.

Speaker 2: 41:03

I find it funny.

Speaker 3: 41:04

Know, I say some crazy shit, I find it funny, but I mean, you know, you know and it's I don't know.

Speaker 1: 41:12

It's really interesting and just kind of talking to you and seeing that it's not just like a surface level type shit with esports. It's so much shit that makes it and you're the person who kind of got that ball rolling and now it's just like a whole bunch of just networks that come as one.

Speaker 3: 41:33

That's that's fucking awesome, holy shit and it's an investment in the students as well. Um, what I tried to do is, yeah, I'm developing the esports certification program, but I have professionals that I know in the industry come speak to the players right and Q&A sessions and things like that, because I'm like, at the end of the day, I need you to get your face with a name, show your portfolio, because it's hard to get a job coming out of college. I don't know why people think it probably ain't or whatever, but it is extremely hard, especially nowadays, the way the world is looking it sucks right now a master's degree is slowly dwindling as a bachelor's degree, right, so everybody got a bachelor's degree.

Speaker 3: 42:18

Now, um, it increased time, that's the best way to say it. In the last 20 years it has definitely increased. So now, what sets you apart is the value that you bring to the company, is the value that when we go pound for pound, this person can speak another language. Well, this conversation is done. You know what I'm saying. So that's what I try to do. I try to get people. So we also have a production program. It's called BGA TV.

Speaker 3: 42:46

I remember my senior year. I said I want us on my TVs all around campus. Everybody looked at me like I was crazy and I said I am, but we're going to put everybody on the TVs around campus. I think that was a huge thing, because now it's like oh snap, mom, I'm here, right, but we want a YouTube channel, got a YouTube channel and I told them. I said you could take these with you pregame interviews and things like that, so you could show people that you are able to articulate yourself and also present yourself in front of people. Right, that's a big thing. So, like I said, it's constantly trying to create value for the students because, you know, as I pour in them, hopefully they'll be able to take it with them and go and do big things. Hopefully they'll be able to take, take it with them and grow and do big things.

Speaker 1: 43:24

It's literally everything I want to do in life, but I couldn't do it, so I just pour it on them gotcha, gotcha and this might be kind of like future, you know in the, in the future and stuff, but where you are now, I guess, where do you want the program you know at the university to kind of go, you know?

Speaker 3: 43:47

For me. I want to be and this is going to be like, wait, what I want to be the best in the nation. I want to be best in the nation in at least two games that we play. I want to be the best and when you come to our school, you're going to get a bang for your buck, right? So, whether it be the productions, whether it be the elite team, you come here you know for a fact you're going to get a job, because we're going to give you the tools that you need to equip you to get a job, and that's through connections and things like that. Once that starts rolling, I mean, at that point I'm just here. You know what I'm saying. The job is done. Now we got connected. Now we got companies asking me hey, do you have somebody from BGA that wants to get a job or wants to do internships here, and things like that, whether it be Epic Games, because Epic Games is literally an hour away, or things like that I do have one person and it actually made me like, oh, that's what's up.

Speaker 3: 44:46

She, uh, she was here when I started the production side of it and now she's in dc on news four. She I told her to go to full sail university. She acts kind of like me, you know um the goofier side or whatever, and I was like she called me one day and I was sleeping and I was just like hello, like what, what you want? She's like I'm graduating. I said, yeah, you graduated from North Carolina Wesleyan University. What are we talking about?

Speaker 3: 45:14

no, I'm graduating from Full Sail excuse me you went, she goes, yeah, you told me to go for journalism. I said, okay, you went, she goes, yeah, you told me to go for journalism. I said, okay, and I went, okay, like, okay, cool, and she went for journalism. She's obviously speaking. She flew around the world, did whatever she needs to do and now, yes, she's on the news floor in the DC area, or I guess it was the DMV area. I guess it was DMV area. I don't know if they show all of it, but she's doing that and I'm extremely proud of her. That's on the production side, on the elite team. We're still young. We're still young. We got our first graduating class. When they graduate, we're looking for jobs with things like that, trying to help them and stuff like that.

Speaker 1: 46:01

That was really cool to hear that it's very hard. Jeez, that's fucking awesome Shit. So if you had to give I don't want to say too many, but like I guess, when you're let's do this when you're not gaming, when're not, you know, running the esports and all that stuff, what are you doing just to like get away from that? You dig what I'm saying?

Speaker 3: 46:37

um, honestly, I'm being real, be real. Um, I tied everything with what I love to do in my job. So like, right now we're going to DreamHack, right, and then, before we go to DreamHack, we're going to University of South Carolina. So sightseeing I guess that's the right word Like traveling to different programs. I mean, I'm going to be real. My cousin worked there, right. And then I looked at the map and I was like yo, we got to go through Columbia because he used to work at South Carolina Aiken and then he got a job at University of South Carolina Gamecocks. So I called him two days ago. I'm like yo, I'm pulling up, I'm pulling up, I'm pulling up, getting in contact with the eSports coach. I want a jersey swap. I need a jersey that says Coach Toxic on it. I bring one of mine. And then we pulling up and he was like okay, what time are you getting here? I said I'll be there at 12. Make sure you take your lunch at 12. I'll be there, then we'll be in Atlanta. And then I got some people in Atlanta.

Speaker 3: 47:37

I was just like I don't like traveling because I don't like driving, because I feel like there's too much middle time and there's a lot of things I could be doing. So I'd rather be a passenger princess, but that's not happening. Like I have to drive right. So I feel like when I drive I listen to a lot of motivational no, I listen to Eric Tomlin a lot but motivational insights. So, like you know, because sometimes you get Tom, it ain't a lot but motivational insights. So, like you know, because sometimes you get lazy, you feel down, you need a new motivation. But then I had to. You know, I listened to it and I'm like no, you got to get on your job. Like what you doing, like what are we talking about? You know what I'm saying. So that definitely cast the time away.

Speaker 2: 48:20

Anyways, the reason I laughed and I'm going to cut him off Because you're always on 2K that's his de-stressor.

Speaker 3: 48:28

He is always on 2K, even yelling, even yelling on it.

Speaker 1: 48:35

I'll ask you this. We talked about this episodes ago. Do you consider 2k a bro game?

Speaker 3: 48:49

a bro game yeah uh you know, but you said a bro game. Well, I don't know the actual word. Um, give me another synonym to that word.

Speaker 2: 49:05

So do you think that 2K is in that realm where people just play 2K, madden and Cod? That's it. They don't know nothing else about gaming.

Speaker 3: 49:15

That's their only game, so a stereotype.

Speaker 2: 49:17

Those people yes.

Speaker 3: 49:20

There is a stereotype out there. Yes, I do feel like 2k isn't a stereotype. Um, it is what it is. I play every game. My best friend made sure I played every game. Like you know, I even played smite myth, yeah, so black, wu kong, all of souls games.

Speaker 3: 49:40

Oh, that's that. Rage is different, it's a suspense. Yeah, I'm well-rounded, but I do agree it is a stereotype. Yes, some people play Madden, play Toucan, that's it. Some people play Madden, toucan Khan, that's it Because and I always tell people this, yes, do you know how hard it is to play Smite League of Legends? That's a full-time job, that's not a hey, let me pick up the game and play. Of course, you know that stereotype plays those games because, yeah, they played football and basketball in real life, so that's easy to transition to. I never played League of Legends in real life. That's a full-time job. Like COD. Cod is shooting. I mean, let's just be real, everybody likes to play shooter games. You know Apex, you know things like that. So I just feel like it's easy to relate to pick up and play. You just got to know the buttons and know the schemes and stuff.

Speaker 3: 50:37

Because you do it in real life, yeah, yeah.

Speaker 1: 50:41

Okay, damn Okay, shit. All right, I'm fucked with this. Lexi, you have anything else you want to ask? Oh wait, I got one more question. What are you both looking forward to this weekend with DreamHack?

Speaker 3: 51:02

I got my peoples there Full Sail University Damn it, bennett and then I could meet Lexi. Yeah, we got my peoples there. They there, you feel me, they don't even know I'm coming. So when I pull up they come like I'm like, I know I'm here, the crazy work, so yeah, that's all I can't wait. I'm here, the crazy work. So yeah, oh yeah, that's all. I can't wait. I promise you I can't wait.

Speaker 1: 51:28

And Lexi. We need that same type of excitement that he gave us. You need that same type of excitement. Yeah, you're not getting that shit from me, you are.

Speaker 2: 51:36

I'm not like him. I think for me it's just seeing a lot of people that I haven't seen in a while. Like a friend of mine I haven't seen since, like I went to MomoCon like 2020, you went to what? Momocon 2023? So I think it's been like the year no 2022 whatever, it's been a while since I've seen them. Momocon's another con. It's an anime con in Atlanta. Okay, yeah, I went to MegaCon them MomoCon's another con.

Speaker 3: 52:03

It's an anime con in Atlanta. Okay, I went to MegaCon and GalaxyCon.

Speaker 2: 52:09

Yeah, we've been.

Speaker 1: 52:13

Is, um, is, oh shit. Wait, was that the year that I went with you, that we went?

Speaker 2: 52:18

No, it was the year after that, so it was 2023.

Speaker 1: 52:21

Ah, okay, okay, Okay, that's still V. Ah, okay, okay, wait, wait, wait, wait, okay, that's still vendor room. As usual, of course, yeah, vendor room, okay.

Speaker 3: 52:31

No, no, no. I need to be talking to companies. No, I'm not buying this chip already making me broke, car, hotel and gas food. I'm bringing two others, so it's already making me broke. Nah, they're students. Man, I'd use it on a company card. Oh shit, yeah.

Speaker 2: 52:56

I want to be in the vendor's room.

Speaker 3: 52:58

I mean I don't go there because I start buying useless stuff. Like I bought a Demon Slayer sword and I'm sitting here like bro, I'm not pulling up to school with a Demon Slayer. Like what am I using this for it's metal? What am I going to use it for?

Speaker 1: 53:11

Right, so I got you, I got you. Okay, all right, that's what's up. When are you? When is what from Friday? Is it? Does it start Thursday? Friday oh okay, it's Friday. Okay, that's what's up. Well, I hope both of you guys enjoy that. I will be on the road back to Maryland oh that's a far drive.

Speaker 3: 53:37

It's, it's that's a, that's a dog. That's a far lie. That's a far lie I like driving.

Speaker 1: 53:42

I don't mind it. I don't mind driving. Oh okay, so I'll be going to pick up a dog, so, um yeah.

Speaker 3: 53:53

I wish I had that mentality wait where's?

Speaker 1: 53:55

Sunny she's at my sister's house oh, okay you know what's crazy.

Speaker 1: 54:01

Get to my sister's house. Get to my sister's house this. Get to my sister's house. This dog literally this is the first time she's staying overnight at the house Takes. I come downstairs I didn't take her out the night before, so that is my fault but come downstairs and there's a huge pile of shit. This dog is like a horse I love, so my sister is asleep. I come downstairs, I look at my dog and she looks at me and I'm like, really, that's funny.

Speaker 2: 54:39

She's in a new spot. Yeah, whatever, thank you, that's funny Leave.

Speaker 1: 54:41

Sunny alone.

Speaker 2: 54:41

Okay, she's in a new spot.

Speaker 1: 54:45

Yeah, whatever, Thank you guys for listening to another episode of the Carolina Talk Tune Podcast. I hope you guys really enjoyed this episode and really got some really good information out of this. Tony, if you don't mind, just tell them where they can look you up where they can, oh of course Promote yourself.

Speaker 2: 55:02

Come on now, you up, where they can. Oh, of course, you know all that stuff Promote yourself.

Speaker 3: 55:04

Come on now. Come on Toxic Family. You know you can find me on every social media platform. Too Toxic, tony. See. The team be the team. I am the team. Now, if you want my professional IG, it's Coach Too Toxic, but besides that, you know what time it is. Toxic Family, two up, two down. And remember it's okay to be a little toxic, but go ahead, team, go ahead. Take it away, man, take it away, man, you see how I had that on point, though she didn't laugh at you.

Speaker 1: 55:35

That's crazy. Thank you guys for listening and we will see you guys again next time.

Speaker 2: 55:42

Bye.