At Texas A&M University-San Antonio, competitive gaming is more than just a pastime, it's an opportunity for students to develop leadership, communication, and professional skills. With seven teams, the University’s esports program is making an impact both on campus and beyond.
Led by Head Coach Aaron Jaggers, the esports program provides a structured environment where players sharpen their skills, compete against other universities, and gain hands-on experience in broadcasting, event management, and marketing. It’s a unique opportunity for students to develop competencies that translate to real-world careers.
Eli Campos, a senior studying cybersecurity and the chess team captain, credits the program with helping him build confidence and leadership skills.
"In high school, I didn't talk to anyone, but now I'm confident when I talk to people, whether it's about the team or anything else," Campos said. "Being part of the program allows me to meet new people and has really deepened my coaching and leadership skills."
Graduate student Alex Hargrave, captain of the Valorant team, was drawn to the program for its strong support system and resources.
"At other institutions, it’s just a club team with no real support," Hargrave said. "Here, there's a whole esports lab, an esports director, coaches, and lots of resources. When I think of esports this is what I wanted to be a part of."
Hargrave also values the sense of community and professional development esports provides.
"As a grad student, most of my classes are at night, and a lot of my classmates are older and just focused on coursework," Hargrave said. "Being part of esports gives me a sense of community on campus that I wouldn’t have otherwise. That’s really what has made this experience better for me."
Jaggers envisions esports as a hub for student engagement and career development.
"I want esports to be the central hub of this University," Jaggers said. "Not just for competition, but for student engagement, academic credit, and career development, whether it's broadcasting, marketing, or event production."
That vision was on full display in February when A&M-San Antonio competed in the first-ever Texas A&M University System Showdown, a groundbreaking event that brought together esports teams from across the System. Hosted at the Boeing Center at Tech Port, the event marked a major milestone for A&M collegiate esports, showcasing the University’s commitment to fostering competition, collaboration, and industry opportunities.
A&M-San Antonio made a strong showing at the showdown, earning top finishes across multiple events and securing the System Showdown Traveling Trophy. The University took first place in the Super Smash Bros. singles competition and finished second in both Overwatch and the Super Smash Bros. team event. With the highest overall points, A&M-San Antonio claimed the inaugural trophy for the event.
"Hosting the Texas A&M University System Showdown was a huge moment for us," Jaggers said. "It gave us a chance to meet other teams from sister schools and gave our students the chance to compete at a high level while gaining experience in event management and production."
Jaggers sees the success of alumni as a testament to the program’s broader impact. Alumni like Joey Murillo and Sebastian de Hoyos have used their experience in the program to launch careers in esports management and live event production.
"Esports isn’t just about playing games, it’s about preparing students for careers," Jaggers said. "We’re seeing our alumni step into professional roles in gaming and beyond, and that’s what makes this program so rewarding."
With plans to expand resources, host other invitationals, and explore esports curriculum collaborations, A&M-San Antonio is proving that gaming isn’t just a pastime, it’s a pathway to success.