Michael Torres

Michael Torres: “As of 8/1/23, I am the first Director of Esports at James Madison University. My full title is technically X-Labs Operations Manager and Director of Esports. Prior to this position, I was a Competition Support Specialist at the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE/NACE Starleague). In that position, I was the head admin from NACE for nighttime operations. In addition to day-to-day management of the NACE Starleague (NSL), I was also the stream manager for NSL’s daily streams, prizing administrator for the 170+ prizes won each season, and I also worked with our membership’s Board of Directors and Competition Council to advise and implement their operational policies. My career with NACE only came about as a result of my work at ECPI University/ECPI Rams. I only went back to college because ECPI had an esports program. While attaining my B.S in Cybersecurity, I started out as a player and caster for the Rocket League team. After roughly a year, our Head Coach went to go work for NACE. ECPI offered me a paid Assistant Coaching position which I served in for another year until I graduated.

Before I found my home in collegiate esports, I was as an Airborne Infantryman with the 82nd Airborne for six years and worked in sales for about four years for various companies and various positions.”