Enter: Tao – A New Dynamic

From an outsider’s perspective looking in, EKUSO is really something special. I didn’t quite know the extent of it until this past week however, when I joined in on my first in-person event since I accepted the role spearheading business development and marketing. I’m talking about both sides, internally with operations and what goes into how the company is run, but also with the kids, seeing how the program truly impacts their lives and serves as that catalyst to developing as individuals.

If your personality is anything like mine, or how I have been most of my life, video games have been an integral part of your progress through multiple different chapters. Maybe an escape from frustrations and trauma, or to socialize and create friendships you can’t find elsewhere, possibly just to relax and kick up your feet after long days of school, work, or otherwise. Having a sense of belonging drastically changes the quality of one’s life, and sometimes we find that in the place we least expect it. Personally, I just wish I had a program like this when I was growing up, and although a tad jealous, I’m beyond excited to be able to create this safe space for the new generation. I’m sure I will get a chance to talk about my background another time, but for now I want to get back right back into EKUSO.

Meeting Karlin, John, and Emily, I immediately felt welcomed and accepted. You know that feeling when you meet with old friends again after a while of being apart? Smiles, laughter, and good conversation. We came together here in Dallas for a reason though… we were just a day away from being face to face with the judges at the Big Idea Competition and broadcast nationwide, which would inevitably launch us into the next phase of business. The energy was palpable, but in the best way possible. After our first meeting and a fun team dinner, we reconvened at the UTD campus to practice the pitch and make last minute adjustments to delivery. This was no ordinary practice though, as Karlin, having suffered social anxiety throughout his entire life, needed assistance in calming the nerves and overcoming potential distractions. Don’t get me wrong, I’d say most people get the heebie jeebies walking up on stage in front of hundreds of people, so John, Emily and I gladly accepted the task to bolster our fearless leader’s confidence and internal fortitude. Timing each attempt via stopwatch, we thought up various ways to simulate situations like people in the crowd talking, getting up and walking around and pacing back and forth, even doing jumping jacks! Many times, all of us burst into laughter but with each attempt we improved just a little more. Although we stayed late into the night, the final product had us looking, and sounding, like winners. We strolled down the sidewalk back to our cars, as there was a literal downpour happening. We didn’t care. Our spirits were high, and we were amongst “family”.

Wednesday morning, this is it! I put on my EKUSO team jersey, looked in the mirror and swelled with pride. Realizing I truly AM part of this movement. 11am sound check and dress rehearsal, gotta go! By the time we get to the Alumni center, Karlin is already there practicing the pitch on stage, running on little to no sleep. The work ethic of this man is admirable, he puts his heart and soul into this business, and I can’t blame him after hearing his story and understanding what this means for him. Kids and parents start to trickle in, representing several of the schools enrolled in the EKUSO program. I get to introduce myself and meet each one, reveling in the range of personalities with varying degrees of interaction. You can clearly see that many have come a long way with the help of the EKUSO program. They had dropped everything they were doing, kids got excused from class and parents had taken off work, some had even flown in from other states or drove from hours away, all to come and show support for EKUSO.

Then, the news hit… the event was going to be canceled and rescheduled due to a severe weather warning. That’s Dallas for ya I guess. It had been raining most of the morning, and they didn’t want to take any chances with a pending thunderstorm and possible hail. Safety first! Visibly, Karlin was keeping it together, but I could tell he was disappointed. And why wouldn’t he be? All of these people came out to see him up on stage, hear what’s next for EKUSO, and possibly get to share how the program has benefited them personally. So, like a true leader, he pivoted and made it into an experience for the kids. Taking them on a tour of his alma mater and showing them the Esports facility that he helped create, which developed into the Esports program UTD has today.

We didn’t exactly have an itinerary after the event was canceled, mentioning just a group dinner, so everyone headed back to the hotel. That’s when it dawned on me… we coach Esports right? Why not turn this down time into an opportunity to engage and entertain the kids, incorporating part of the EKUSO identity into an event of our own? I got to work, organizing the parents and kids in getting their laptops online and updated with the upgraded Wi-Fi that the hotel had to offer. We turned the hotel lobby and lounge into our own personal Esports venue. It was set, a 2v2 tournament – round robin style – with a grand prize of an exclusive discord role. The kids went wild, they loved it! We ordered pizzas, one of the kids opted to be the DJ, I shoutcasted as best I could, play by play, for several of the games. It was an absolute blast.  I don’t know who was having more fun, me or the kids.

Look, esports is for everyone. Young or old, and from any background. It teaches you so much more than just video games. We are truly creating a world that we needed growing up but never had… I see clearly now what my calling is, and I honestly believe I’ve found the perfect platform and team to help bring it to fruition.  行くぞ EKUSO!