Shenandoah Esports Earns 4 National Awards At Annual NACE Convention

Shenandoah University Esports won four awards and had nine total finalists at the 2025 National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) Convention that took place July 23-25 in Dallas, Texas.

Esports student Avery Geesaman ’26 won the Student Leadership Award; Esports Lecturer Chase Neukam, M.S., was named Educator of the Year; Shenandoah’s Boost on the Beach was named Outstanding Event of the Year; and former student Molly Denz won Broadcast Talent of the Year for the second straight year when the annual NACE Awards were announced on July 24.

Shenandoah also was a finalist for Production Team of the Year, and additional individual finalists included Coordinator of Esports Production Ian Burnett ’24 (Support Staff of the Year, Broadcast Producer of the Year), student Chris Clayton ’26 (Broadcast Talent of the Year), and Zander Merle-Smith ’21, MBA, (Educator of the Year).

Geesaman, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Esports (with an esports management concentration) and an Esports Coaching Certificate, earned the NACE 2025 Student Leadership Award, which is given to a student who demonstrates exceptional leadership and makes “outstanding contributions to their collegiate esports community through efforts such as effectively captaining a team, managing events, hosting club initiatives, coaching, or broadcasting,” according to NACE.

“I am elated to receive my first award of national caliber. To me, the award represents my ongoing journey of bettering my leadership. This is only possible through continuing to foster great relationships with my teammates, community, and mentors,” Geesaman said. “I am excited to continue playing my part in the growth of the esports industry as it grows and challenges me.”

Neukam has now won three national awards this summer after earning Advocate of the Year at the EsportsU Collegiate Awards and the Outstanding Leadership Award from the National Association of Esports Coaches & Directors in June. The NACE Educator of the Year Award is given to an educator who has made a “lasting impact through outstanding teaching, dedication, and commitment to student success.” Neukam, who joined Shenandoah University in July 2024, said he was “floored” when he heard his name announced for the NACE Educator of the Year Award.

“This marks the third national award that I’ve received this year after never being recognized on that scale in nearly 10 years of being involved in the scholastic esports space. This is a memorable moment for our program as Zander Merle-Smith was awarded Educator of the Year at the Scholastic Esports Awards in January earlier this year, which means both esports lecturers have been recognized on a national scale for the innovative moves we are making at Shenandoah University. With only a full year under my belt as a Hornet, I couldn’t be more proud to be part of the Shenandoah community.”

Shenandoah’s award-winning Boost on the Beach event took place in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in March and was conducted in partnership with Visit Myrtle Beach, Syracuse University and Coastal Carolina University. The third edition of the event – SU launched Boost on the Beach in 2023 – featured 12 collegiate teams competing in Rocket League for their share of a $5,000 prize pool, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate competitions for local/regional gamers and high school competitors.

“We’re honored to be recognized amongst some of the top collegiate esports events with the 2025 NACE Award for Outstanding Event of the Year for Boost on the Beach!” said Shenandoah Esports Director Alyssa Duran. “This year was especially meaningful with four universities and 22 dedicated student workers coming together to host the national competition in Myrtle Beach. Boost on the Beach is truly a one-of-a-kind event, and we are proud to see our students’ hard work and achievements celebrated through this award ceremony.”

Denz, known to the esports community as “TinyShiny,” was once again recognized by NACE for her work as a broadcaster, a role she’s filled for Shenandoah Esports as well as national organizations on many high-profile events. NACE’s Broadcast Talent of the Year Award recognizes a student who “brought insight and electricity to a broadcast” and “demonstrated outstanding skill, charisma, and professionalism as an on-air talent,” and “celebrates their ability to engage audiences, deliver exceptional content on the fly, and contribute to the overall success of a broadcast or event.”

During the three-day NACE Convention, Duran, Neukam and Burnett each represented Shenandoah as featured speakers, presenting on topics of competition, event management and broadcasting.