Harrisburg University of Science and Technology’s (HU) three-time National Championship-winning Esports program has blazed a trail in the collegiate gaming landscape. And with the recent addition of a long-time competitive gaming expert as the University’s Esports program director, HU is poised to continue its winning trajectory.
Following 10 years of full-time professional commentating, Veteran Esports broadcaster Michael Navarro took the reins of HU’s varsity Esports program last month. Prior to arriving to HU, the Louisiana native provided play-by-play, color commentary, analysis, interviews, and hosting work for a variety of games during the past decade, most notably for PUBG Esports. During that time, he was a graduate student and instructor in the communications department at Louisiana State University. He also volunteered as a broadcaster for collegiate Esports for several years.
“We are pleased to welcome Michael to Harrisburg University, said HU President Eric Darr. “He brings an incredible amount of experience, strategic vision, and ambition to our Esports program, and I am incredibly excited to see him lead our varsity Esports program.”
While volunteering as a broadcaster at collegiate Esports competitions, Navarro found that he had a passion for helping students learn more about Esports competition and production. Esports and academia are now his two biggest passions, and he said it felt like it was only a matter of time until he joined HU. At HU, he will work with coaches, faculty, and staff to build a more traditional student-athlete experience for players.
“HU Storm players are students first, and we will be working to ensure that our players serve as model students and stay on track for graduating with a degree from Harrisburg University,” Navarro said. “On the gaming side, we will be working to create a culture of team-first attitude and an insatiable hunger for victory. When our players graduate, our staff aims to have them ready for whatever they want to do next, whether that’s to go pro or begin careers elsewhere. We are looking to continue making the HU Storm the model Esports program that other universities aspire to be.”
Navarro said he also plans to further connect the Esports Club at HU with the University’s varsity teams. To start, the varsity and club sides of Esports at HU will take in gaming events and coaching sessions together. The University’s annual HUE Fest will also provide any student interested in Esports an opportunity to gain experience working on a full Esports event production, which he said is rare opportunity.
“I am excited to be here at Harrisburg University and to be working with the Storm. I love the open-door policy that university faculty and administrators have, and I am happy to extend the same courtesy to anyone who would like to reach out to me,” Navarro said. “Whether it be about the Storm, professional esports and broadcasting, or just talking about gaming, feel free to reach out and I’d be happy to come talk.”
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Harrisburg University is a private nonprofit university offering bachelor and graduate degree programs in science, technology, and math fields. For more information on the University’s affordable demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, call 717-901-5146 or email, Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Follow on Twitter (@HarrisburgU) and Facebook (Facebook.com/HarrisburgU.)
