Korby Fenske Sports Editor
Jackson Lewis is a man of many titles. Some might just know him as a database developer and analyst, but now he is the head coach for the Crowder Esports teams.
“I’ve been playing video games for as long as I can remember. My favorite game as a kid would have to be Kingdom Hearts 2 on the PS2. However, my favorite game right now just depends on what mood I am in. Nevertheless, if I had to choose a game right now as a favorite it would have to be Animal Crossing.”
Crowder Esports is new here, Lewis said. There was a general interest around late spring of 2019, but when the NCJAA added Esports as an official sport, Crowder did as well.
Lewis graduated from East Newton High school in 2015. He then attended Crowder for two years after and got his associates degree. He got his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Pittsburg State. He started working at Crowder in 2015 in a student position. In 2016, he got a part time job here at the front desk. In 2018, he got a full time job here as the database developer and analyst and in 2019 he got the head-coaching job for the Esports team.
“A big reason I applied for the coaching job was for the extra money. I have never been a coach before, but I have been a leader. Another reason is that Crowder doesn’t do new things like this so I wanted to be a part of something new around here.”
Crowder is on its 3rd season for Esports. Lewis said. “It’s a mess but that’s how it goes. We just have to make adjustments.”
“Crowder is offering scholarships for Esports athletes; it just depends on what the budget goes towards that year to see what we can offer students.”
There were many upsides to being the head coach but this is what Lewis said was his favorite part of the job.
“Oh I love it. Even though it has been bumpy at the beginning here, once the games started up it was very rewarding to see students get recognition that they deserved.”
Crowder has many different games that students can compete in. A few of them include, but are not limited to, Rocket League, Rainbow Six Siege, Smash, Fifa, Madden, and Fortntie.
“I play games to have fun because I am not a very completive person. I have developed an application of the competitive nature though. However, my favorite game to play that we offer is Smash because I can actually play. I like to watch R6 (Rainbow Six Siege). My least favorite game we offer though is Rocket League. I could never get into it.”
Jackson is a man that has grown up around this area and he wants to stay. It is home and he wants to see it grow, and if he can do that here at Crowder, you can bet that he is going to try to do so.
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