Leading a Strong Esports Team: Lessons from West Point

This podcast is an not a government production. The views expressed do not reflect the official policy or position of the United States Military Academy, United States Army, Department of Defense or the US Government.

Today’s guest is Victor Castro, the US. Director of @Army West Point Esports and Deputy Director of the West Point Simulation Center.

In the Gamer's Change Lives podcast, host Tom Leonard interviews Victor Castro, US Director of Army Esports at West Point. They discuss Victor's background and the unique esports program at West Point, focusing on the importance of recognizing military sacrifices and commitment. West Point aims to train leaders who will commit to long-term careers in the Army, using gaming and esports as tools for leadership development.

Victor explains the inception and growth of the esports program at West Point, as well as its importance in developing leadership skills among cadets. He emphasizes the need for a long-term plan and alignment with the institution's core values. Esports can help develop character and teach students how to manage toxicity in communication, creating a realistic learning environment that fosters growth.

The conversation covers the program's structure, gender inclusion, and decentralized approach to training, which mirrors aspects of the army. The focus on academics, physical fitness, and military training limits practice time compared to other universities. Victor also touches on international cooperation, funding sources, and the potential for collegiate level esports events.

Victor highlights the importance of transparency, open dialogue, and social media in promoting the West Point esports program. He recommends following their social media accounts and learning from others in the field to improve one's own program. West Point offers a visitors’ program for those interested in learning more about the academy and its unique esports initiatives.

Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/leading-a-strong-esports-team-lessons-from-west-point

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You can check out the article here:
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Featured in this episode:

Victor is the Director of Army West Point Esports and currently serves as a Department of Defense civilian at the United States Military Academy. Victor specializes and Game Art and Design and Instructional Design and is an Analysis, Modeling and Simulations professional.

Email: victor.castro@westpoint.edu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-l-castro-85764737/

Website: https://www.westpoint.edu/military/department-of-military-instruction/simulation-center/esports

Twitter: https://twitter.com/armywpesports

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/armywpesports/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG5wjt7As3sEpAj3q4rOBKg

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/armywestpointesports

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PRODUCTION:

Creator and host: Tom Leonard (USA) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeleonard/

Producer: Reginald Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives.

This is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of esports entrepreneurs and others to learn how they solved a particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.

In Season Three our theme is “Building a Business: Esports 101”.

I am your host, Tom Leonard. I have a background in entertainment marketing. After working with many amazing esports entrepreneurs from emerging markets, they inspired me to create a show to tell their stories so that others can be motivated to create their own esports business. Gaming and esports can create jobs tackling the problem of global youth unemployment. Creating jobs from playing games. What could be better than that?

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