Jeffrey Hamm
Daemen College has appointed Jeffrey Hamm as head coach of the college’s growing esports program. Announced earlier this year, the formation of the esports club team made Daemen the first private institution in the Buffalo Niagara region to join the emerging world of competitive collegiate gaming.
Hamm comes to Daemen after completing his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Missouri Baptist University where he served as captain of the MBU esports team for the past two years. He also holds esports coaching experience as head coach of the Team Gamma Bullets.
“Jeff’s background, experience, and skills in the esports world make him the ideal choice to lead the Daemen esports team,” said Dr. Greg Nayor, vice president for student affairs, who has played an integral role in the launch and implementation of Daemen’s esports team. “We expect the growth of the esports team will be transformative under Jeff’s leadership.”
In his capacity as head coach, he will have direct responsibility for the recruitment of students and direction of the program.
“I am very excited to come to Daemen and to help grow the esports program,” said Hamm.
Daemen has been on the cutting edge with the development of its esports program, becoming one of a handful of institutions nationwide to sponsor a club team. The college also developed a modern esports lab in the Wick Campus Center.
The Daemen esports team will be one of six to compete under the East Coast Conference umbrella beginning next fall. The ECC, which is the affiliation for 14 of Daemen’s 18 intercollegiate varsity teams, will crown an esports champion, joining the Peach Belt Conference as the only NCAA Division II leagues to do so. Participating teams will compete in the game League of Legends from Riot Games.
Prospective students interested in the Daemen esports program may receive more information by completing an online form available at daemenwildcats.com/esports.