Aaron Hebert Named eSports Head Coach
CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu, 518-629-7898 or 518-416-2137
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Thursday, July 28, 2022
After a national search, Hudson Valley Community College Director of Athletics Justin Hoyt named Aaron Hebert as the head coach of the College's competitive eSports program.
"We are excited to welcome Aaron to the Vikings family and we are thrilled to have him onboard to lead our growing eSports program, said Justin Hoyt, Director of Athletics. "Hebert brings a bold vision to the program, dedicated to enhancing the college experience for a new generation of student athletes."
Hebert has been coaching amateur eSports teams for the past five years, focusing with game play in the multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) genre. Individuals and teams have sought his experienced perspective to improve their game experience. He focuses on developing each player's own system for self-improvement in the context of a team strategy. As a player, he has been playing competitively since Quake 3 and Street Fighter 2.
Hebert employs a coaching philosophy to empower student athletes with life-long lessons that transfer outside of the games. Along with recruiting, Hebert plans to utilize the new facility with cutting edge gaming equipment, to encourage community events designed and organized by students.
Coach Hebert and the Vikings are currently recruiting interested eSports student-athletes for the Fall 2022 season. All interested Hudson Valley students are asked to complete the eSports Interest Form and contact Coach Hebert (esports@hvcc.edu) as soon as possible.
Interested students may also contact the eSports program via Discord (@HVCCEsports) and follow the @HVCCeSports twitter page for all of the latest information on the Vikings eSports program.
"One of the advantages of eSports over traditional sports is there are no barriers to inclusion," said Hebert. "Anyone who wants to be involved should reach out. All skill levels are invited to participate."
Hebert earned a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from Siena College after completing a two-year program here at Hudson Valley Community College.