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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Jan. 18, 2019) — College alumnus Micah Ridley has been named director of multimedia services. Ridley also will serve as head coach of the college’s new esports program launching in fall 2019.
As director of multimedia services, Ridley will manage streaming for campus events, as well as oversee MC Productions, an associated business entity that provides streaming services for various clients in the community, including Science Hill Athletics and the City of Johnson City.
“Micah’s unique skillset and experience not only help meet the college’s critical multimedia needs, but it also affords us an opportunity to expand our athletic offerings to include one of the fastest growing competitive activities in the world, esports,” said Greer.
Competitive online gaming has exploded over the past few years with more than 200 million people watching the League of Legends World Championship in 2018, drawing even more viewers than the Super Bowl that year.
Milligan’s program will compete as a member of the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE). Currently, more than 80 universities and 1500 student-athletes are members of NACE, a national affiliation that formed in 2016 and has brought in $9 million in scholarships and financial aid.
“Technology is ever growing, and the immense popularity of esports on the professional level has resulted in expansion into intercollegiate athletics,” said Greer.
After graduating from Milligan in 2011 with a degree in communications, with an emphasis in digital media and a minor in coaching, Ridley served as marketing coordinator and producer/editor for Mountain States Health Alliance, now Ballad Health, from 2012 to 2015. He also assisted FC Dallas Tri Cities soccer club from 2012 to 2016 as director of community relations and event management. Most recently, he served as King University’s multimedia manager, as well as head coach for their recently established esports program.
To learn more about Milligan, visit www.milligan.edu. For more information about Milligan’s new esports program, visit www.milliganbuffs.com.