James Davis

Biography

My career in collegiate esports began before collegiate esports existed, while I was an undergraduate at Bowling Green State University pursuing a degree in philosophy, I got the opportunity to play the game SMITE as part of a tier-2 organization. Balancing my obligations as a student, teammate, and as a person became very difficult without institutional support or a wide network of allies on campus, and I left esports after about a year, ultimately gaining a bachelor's in philosophy with a minor in pop culture from BGSU.

A few years later, I was given the opportunity to work with esports here at Miami University while I was pursuing my Master's Degree in Transformative Education, helping oversee our new spaces (as of 2021) in the Armstrong Student Center, putting on esports camps over the summer, as well as helping out with competition and broadcast operations for our Varsity Esports program. That position has grown from a volunteer role, to a part-time job, into a full-time job as of 2022 when I graduated with my Master's, and I am eternally grateful for the institutional advocates and dedicated students that have made esports on campus what it is today.

Why I love the Rec

The sense of community at the Rec is unmatched. Institutionally, the folks at the Rec are committed to providing unique and lasting student experiences. Individually, everyone is very supportive of peoples' individual journeys, whether it be a fitness journey, career development, or simply trying new experiences like esports.

Favorite Rec Moment

Probably the number of folks that we got from the Rec who were willing to swing by the Armstrong Student Center for the MAC Esports Championship in the spring of 2025 -- even though we were broadcasting one of the more beginner-unfriendly esports that we play, multiple Rec staff members sat and watched the entirety of our series against Northeastern University. The series was incredibly close, and the crowd reactions were probably more instructive to my coworkers than anything actually happening on the television, but they got a small taste of the genuine excitement and enthusiasm there is for this area of recreation & entertainment.

Years of Service

3