Stephanie Mortimer, Assistant Esports Coach at Wilmington University
IN CAREER SPOTLIGHT, WE PROFILE WOMEN, FEMME-IDENTIFYING PROFESSIONALS, AND NON-BINARY PROFESSIONALS COMFORTABLE IN SPACES THAT CENTER WOMEN WHO WORK IN THE GAMING INDUSTRY. IT IS OUR GOAL TO SHOW THE VASTNESS AND VARIETY OF JOBS WITHIN THE WORLD OF GAMING AND TO SHARE PROFESSIONAL ADVICE AND PERSPECTIVE WITH OUR READERS.
This week we interview Stephanie Mortimer, Assistant Esports Coach at Wilmington University, running their Hearthstone meetings. She shares her experience and perspective on collegiate esports, the future of esports at universities, how she got started in the gaming and esports world through streaming, and more.
Stephanie Mortimer, photo courtesy of the subject
What does your job as Assistant Esports Coach at Wilmington University entail?
As the Assistant Esports Coach at Wilmington University, it is my responsibility to support our head coach, Christian Broderick, as well as our student players. I run our Hearthstone meetings once a week on Discord where students and I practice different modes in the game (Hearthstone is an online card game). I support our Twitch channel as well; we hosted a charity stream event in December 2021 and raised $500 for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. I attend recruitment events to scout student interest! In addition to this, I network with other Universities to set up scrimmages for our student players. Lastly, I support students with their questions about gaming, streaming, and their education.
What are your favorite parts of working in collegiate esports?
Honestly it is the students. It is so much fun each week to connect with them. The gaming and coaching aspects are a lot of fun, but building the rapport with my students is just as rewarding. It has been difficult with COVID, but I do enjoy meeting other professionals in the field, too. I look forward to safe in-person events and competitions!
What do you think the future of university esports will look like in the next decade?
Esports is a rapidly growing field in general and I think it is just getting started. The interest level is hard to deny. As technology has evolved over the last decade, competing professionally in gaming has become more attainable. It makes sense that this is transpiring into our schools. I have seen middle schools/high schools host gaming clubs; to me it makes sense to see Universities taking this initiative and running with it. I look forward to watching esports continue to be grow within the University setting and I am happy to be part of the ride. 😊
Were you always interested in gaming personally? When did you know that you could make gaming part of your work?
Yes, absolutely. I have been an avid gamer since I was young. Growing up I played a lot of Pokémon, The Sims, Tekken, the Nintendo franchise, etc. As I got older, I still continue to play those games but have also broadened my horizons. Now, I spend a lot of my focus on Hearthstone and other PC games (a lot of horror games actually) as well as Pokémon and Animal Crossing (I can’t let go of my childhood completely)!
Discovering women streamers was the first lightbulb that popped into my head in regard to gaming professionally. As I started to slowly put myself out there on Twitch, I made local friends within the community who were either part of an esports team at their local university or were working in the industry itself. I then thought to myself, why not me? That motivated me to keep an eye out on local postings. Long-term I would love to have my whole career revolve around esports, but I can recognize that that takes time and I am willing to put the work in for it.
What advice do you have for young women gamers and nonbinary gamers who may want to pursue careers in esports, not only as players, but also as coaches?
I think it is important to be yourself. It is daunting being the only women/nonbinary player in a room or one of the three women/nonbinary players (I think a lot of readers can relate to this). However, your skillset and experiences are just as powerful and important as every other player. This is something that I remind myself when coaching. My knowledge and advice should be taken just as seriously as any other coach in the field. I would be lying if I did not say that women/nonbinary gamers might experience critique or pushback for simply existing in the gaming world, but it is important that we continue to show up and take up space. Representation matters in all forms.
What can we do as consumers and fans to support women in esports?
Treat women players with the same respect that you would treat any other players. 😊
Stephanie representing Wilmu, where she currently serves as an assistant esports coach for Hearthstone.
Check out Stephanie on Twitch and follow her on Twitter:
Twitch: twitch.tv/stephieee
Twitter: @stephieeechan_
Check out Wilmu Esports online:
Website: https://www.wilmu.edu/esports/
Twitch Channel: twitch.tv/wilmu_esports
Discord: https://discord.gg/66BRma3h
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