Geaux Play Esports

Mike Rufail is the founder and CEO of Envy Gaming, Inc., which owns and operates popular esports franchise Team Envy as well as the Dallas Fuel in the Overwatch League and the Dallas Empire in the Call of Duty League.Envy began as a professional Call of Duty team in 2007 and has grown into one of the largest and most winning esports groups in the world. Today, Envy competes, streams, and produces content and events across multiple titles including Overwatch, Call of Duty, Rocket League, VALORANT, and Super Smash Bros.Born and raised in Lufkin, Texas, Rufail dreamed of bringing a professional esports team home to Texas. In 2017, with the support of investment partners at Hersh Interactive Group, Rufail relocated Envy Gaming operations, staff and players to North Texas. In 2019, Rufail and the Dallas Fuel hosted the first home games in esports history, as thousands of fans attended a two-day, sold out live event in North Texas. One year later in 2020, the Dallas Empire took home the World Championship trophy in the inaugural season of the Call of Duty League.Rufail is a veteran of the esports industry, having spent time as a professional Call of Duty player, a broadcast commentator and a game design consultant. Dallas Business Journal named Rufail to its 40 Under 40 list of top business leaders in 2020.Mike Rufail graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in moving image and sound, and currently resides in North Texas with his wife and daughter.

Wim Stocks has been a progressive leader in the online gaming and esports businesses since 1990. From 2001 to 2006, Wim was Executive Vice President of the “new” Atari Inc. (a roll-up and amalgam of Hasbro Interactive, Infogrames, and GT Interactive), leading and managing one of the broadest-reaching interactive entertainment publishing networks in the world. In 2006, Wim started an entrepreneurial online gaming publishing business named Elephant Entertainment, assuming the role of President and COO. In March 2008, the leading games publisher THQ purchased Elephant and Wim assumed the role of EVP and leader of the Online Gaming division and related digital gaming initiatives. In 2010, Wim was recruited to join the executive management team of Virgin Gaming (now WorldGaming) as Executive Vice President. In this role, Wim helped launch the company and platform in 2010, as well as developed strategic investor, technology, game publisher, retailer, and other brand partnerships. In April 2016, Wim was named CEO of WorldGaming & Collegiate StarLeague, which was acquired by Cineplex in the Fall of 2015, a leading movie theater operator with diversification into gaming, location based entertainment, and other aligned entertainment and digital media businesses. As of July 2020, Wim led the acquisition of Collegiate StarLeague & WorldGaming Network by Playfly Sports, a combined traditional sports, esports, and broadcast management/rights management company, and was responsible as Chairman for leading the esports business, strategy, sponsorship/partnership sales, and cultivation, and other investor and partner relations for the Company. Recently, Wim joined the executive management team of Belong Gaming & Vindex (founded in 2019 by esports industry pioneers and leaders Sundance DiGiovanni, Mike Sepso, and Martyn Gibbs), leading the commercial, partnerships, sponsorships, and business development initiatives. Wim currently serves as an Advisor to the Special Olympics International; an Advisor to Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) and Ryerson University’s ‘Future of Sports Lab’; Advisor and part of the ownership group of Andbox, (parent company of the New York Excelsior, the professional NYC-based franchise in the Overwatch League, and the NY Subliners, professional NYC-based franchise in the Call of Duty League); Strategic Advisor to GG Group and Team Chaos; is a Board Member of National Public Radio’s ‘Marketplace’ programming; and is also a Trustee and on the Board of Directors of the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. Wim has also served on the boards of Allina/Abbott Northwestern Hospital, the Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Minneapolis.

Mike, also referred to as "Moog", is a Technology Strategist that caters to the needs of the Honors College in tandem with centralized IT's efforts across OU's campus. He provides project management and business analysis that helps improve workflows in anything from daily routine based work to big initiatives for both the individual college as well as the university. Mike is a U.S. Army veteran, has worked for Apple, and is an active photographer of over 20 years of experience. Moog attributes much of his organizational and strategic abilities and successes to World of Warcraft. Managing a guild of over 150 people from all over the world converted him from an extremely introverted person into a very extroverted one. Through his 4 years managing this guild he also led raids during the initial WoW days through several expansions where 40 individuals were required to accomplish highly coordinated tasks through VoIP communication in real-time.Moog has been a gamer since the Atari days in the 80s and can enjoy all genres when the timing is right. Mike's biggest passion is helping out where he finds opportunities to do so because he wants to not because he needs to. He has embraced his role as Lead Advisor 500% and is leading the charge for gamers and esports athletes within the walls of OU only as a precursor to helping uplift these industries across the state and region. Mike started the research and development of the OU Esports Club in Fall 2016.

The Miami Heat's Derric Franklin is the First Black Leader in the Very New History of the NBA 2K League. Four years ago, when Derric Franklin returned from Afghanistan, where he'd been deployed by the U.S. Army, he picked up NBA 2K15 and began playing the game with a virtually created avatar.

He has also been immortalized as an in-game video-game character in Watch Dogs 2 as well as in NBA2K Playgrounds 1 and 2. In addition, he is a mainstay at gaming conferences and panels across the country, including PAX East, PAX West, New York Comic Con, BoroughCon and Fall Experiment 19. Healso later re-visited and re-cultivated his initial passion for music by creating original music for a variety of titles, including for Twisted Metal, Pokemon, Halo, Uncharted 4, Watch Dogs 2, Drawn To Deathand Battleship.The HipHopGamer had worked with some of the world’s top brands and companies, including FullScreen, BET, Square ENIX, Machinima, Ubisoft, Take Two, Electronic Arts, B&H Photo, NBC Universal,Logitech, Microsoft Game Studios, Nintendo, HTC Vive, NaughtyDog, Activision, Sony Interactive Entertainment, and GameStop, to name a few. He has been featured on many other mainstream entertainment, music, and gaming publications, including HipHopDX, Game Rant, Digital Trends, News 12, Cheddar, One37PM, DV8, Shoryulen, HipHopWired, HellaHipHop, Gamersify, among others.

12/17/16 Jared recorded,“I hope you enjoy the story of J Cap.” “I just want people to be happy, No matter what.” Jared JCap Caplin. “Sometimes life turns out different than you expect. Even if your life isn’t very good right now, it can always get better.”JCap is Awesome!!!At 19 years old Jared Caplin created J Cap’s Foundation for Disabilities as a 501c3 Non-profit organization. His mission was to inspire and help people.01/13/2020 JCap & I named this year Vision 2020/Impact 2020. 01/15/2020 The torch was passed.. Impact 2020 Mission: “Make Somebody’s Day -Everyday Like it’s the Only Day.”Consider the Impact of an army of individuals - gamers, youth, adults and business owners, doing the little things. One act of kindness “Everyday” that “makes Somebody’s day” like it is “the Only day.” One little act x 1000, 10,000 100,000 1 million: THE POWER OF JCAPISAWESOME.ORG

Cody Dragon is an entrepreneur and Esports evangelist currently serving as Business Development Manager at KovaaK's Aim Trainer/ The Meta. He is dedicated to pushing Esports further through the use of educational technology and works to transform local communities through the power of play and curiosity. His time spent launching and operating a professional Esports Organization with multiple podium placement finishes and championships has cemented his role as an early pioneer in the Esports industry.Inspired by the many lessons taught to him through playing Ping Pong with his father; games and competition have been a cornerstone throughout his personal and professional life.Cody is located in sunny California, and can be found surfing in the crystal clear water of Newport Beach when not working or gaming.

Danny is a visionary and thought-leader in the esports industry. As the Co-founder/CEO of Esposure Inc. and Esports Professor at SMU, he has aided in the professional development of students, interns, and post-graduates. These students have received esports scholarships and employment from acclaimed Universities and esports Organizations like Central Methodist University, Complexity Gaming, Pacers Gaming, and Mavs Gaming. Furthermore, he has provided opportunities for many esports players to play with professional franchises. Danny's passion for helping others has allowed him to speak at several high schools and universities, on panels in front of thousands of individuals. In his pursuit of connecting everyone to esports, he maintains relationships with the NBA, NFL, & music industry. Danny is always ready to talk about esports and is on a mission of helping 20,000 esports enthusiasts by 2025.

Dr. Chris Haskell plays video games for a living, or at least that’s what his friends think. He’s the Head Coach and Director of the Varsity Esports at Boise State, 2020 Collegiate Esports Coach of the Year (NAECAD) and 2020 Esports Director of the Year (NACE). As a professor, “Doc” also focuses on the impact of video games, virtual worlds, and digital culture. When it comes to work, Dr. Haskell is serious about play. It’s no wonder his friends think he needs a real job.

Kwesi Hayford is an Esports Evangelist, Creative Designer, and Digital Media enthusiast with a passion for youth culture, technology and education. He inspires and empowers young people to create opportunities for themselves in digital media for the socio-economic growth for Africa.Currently creating synergy, developing collaborations of Esports with all stakeholders both Ghana and internationally with the Ghana Esports Association which focuses on grassroots participation and content creation.Kwesi Hayford has been very instrumental in organizing Esports events and helping professional gaming communities develop.He is also founding member of the Africa Esports Championship. The dream to connect Africa with a Championship tournament is currently ongoing, with 20 countries already on board and committed to the project.Kiddie Esports is one of Kwesi’s initiatives to help kids develop a growing interest in Esports and build and correct pathways via Education, Empowerment and Exposure.

kyler Johnson, former Esports Professional & founder of Team Envy (Dallas Fuel & Dallas Empire). In 2013 at GFUEL Energy and helped developed their flavor profiles, launch campaigns, partnerships as the Chief Creative Officer. During this time he also developed a good understanding for scaling business inside of the Gaming/Esports space and the world of sports nutrition. In late 2017, he stepped away from that position and became the Creative Director for Latium Enterprises, developing internal brands for the family while handling creative for this pre-existing ones. While taking a giant leap and bringing a couple of companies to light myself. @PaperCrowns - Multi-Award Winning Creative Agency@DrinkCTRL (Catered To Real Life) - A meal replacement for Gamers, Streamers, Creators & anyone living the on the go lifestyle - 280 - 400 calories and packed with Protein, Carbs, Fiber & loads of other great ingredients.

Jason Kirby is the CEO of Generation Esports (GenE) is the platform that operates the entire scholastic esports pipeline - Middle School Esports League (MSEL), High School Esports League (HSEL), & the NJCAAE collegiate league.

Corey Rosemond serves as Vice President of NACON Gaming, Inc., the wholly-owned Americas subsidiary of NACON S.A., a French global publisher of AA video games as well as gaming accessories featuring the RIG brand.

Wes Byrd started his career in website and web application development in 1998. He spent the next 20+ years building web applications and enterprise-level eCommerce solutions for fortune 500 brand names. Throughout all of these years, he hosted LAN parties for his group of friends who called themselves, Skullz. With his experience in business management and eCommerce, Wes rallied his Skullz group and stood up Skullz as a company and name brand of its own. In early 2019, Skullz Inc was born with a mission to be the top esports merchandise brand name in esports.

Victoria Horsley has been in esports for nearly eight years, the last three of those being mainly collegiate oriented. She also has previous experience in traditional sports as an event manager for the NFL Super Bowl and the NCAA Men’s Final Four. Esports allows her to emphasize her passion for gaming that she developed at a very early age with games such as Zelda, Super Mario, and Kingdom Hearts. Victoria is determined to grow the world of esports and give as many people as possible the opportunity to follow their gaming passions as well. 

Miles Davis has 16 years experience working with integrators , manufacturers, distributors in the technology & commercial AV industries. The past 4 years I have helped organizations & institutions build esports initiatives utilizing display technology.

Charles Spencer started in the field of traditional sports with the Brooklyn Nets, as an intern for the semester he was working at the Barclays Center for Nets games in the Arena Operations Department. Then also had stints as assistant equipment manager for the Men's Basketball and Baseball teams. After college, Charles was hired to the New York Red Bulls' Event Marketing Staff and stayed with them for three years. He helped them with many of the team events, including games at Red Bull Arena, Youth soccer festivals, and creating FIFA tournaments. During that time Charles was hired at the after-school program, Advantage Higher Education as its first-ever Esports Instructor. There Charles opened students up to the possibilities in a career in gaming and esports. He brought professionals from the world of esports from players to team executives. Charles also planned youth events with Overwatch League team the New York Excelsior and as well NBA  2K League team, Knicks Gaming. After that ended, Charles created the curriculum for the first-ever middle school esports league in New York City with the New York Excelsior (now AND BOX). Four schools faced each other in a home and away matches for nine weeks playing FIFA and NBA 2K as its games.

Justin Jacobson, an esports and entertainment attorney in New York City. He works with professional gamers, coaches, streamers as well esports teams and organizations. He assist them with contract review, negotiation and drafting as well as trademark and copyright matters, visa/work authorizations and other related business, tax and legal matters. Justin has done deals with many t1 and t2 organizations, including the negotiation of many Overwatch League and Call of Duty Pro League professional gamer agreements.

Marcus Howard is the CEO of Project MQ, an experiential marketing agency that uses family-friendly esports, to help colleges and other brands more effectively engage younger audiences. He's also the President of the Tampa Association of Gaming, a nonprofit dedicated to growing the gaming industry and STEAM youth programs in the Tampa Bay region.

Graham Borden grew up all over the great city of New York. Graduated from North Babylon High School in Long Island in 1997. Spent some years at Syracuse University then decided to come home and receive my undergrad degree from Suffolk County Community College. Some years later decided to embark on a career in content creating for YouTube & Twitch playing various games but mainly the NBA2K franchise. As time went on  saw a need in the community for competitive scene for players who play the mode called Myteam. A mode where you can take Shaq & play him along side people like Magic Johnson and Vinee Carter. Hence, created a tournament series called Kings of Kings. This tourney brought out some of the best youtubers and twitch streamers in a battle to see who's the best. Some youtubers that have participated in Kings of Kings are Jesserthelazer, Kris London, Cashnastygaming, lpodkingearter, and Nickthebullsfan. After being a long-time Fan of the Pro-Am Scene in the NBA2K franchise. Then decided to come together with the new face of competitive Pro-Am Jelani Mitchell (@2kCompgames) & create a ground-breaking debate show called First Shake that discuss all things NBA2K League. First Shake has led us to working directly with the NBA2K League on their Hit Off Season Show called "The Post Up".