Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia College Athletics department has announced the hiring of Aaron Shockley as the Director of Esports.

"We are thrilled to have Coach Shockley join our staff," said James Arnold, Director of Athletics. "His experience in traditional athletics, his passion for Esports and his background as an admissions counselor will be critical to our Esports program taking the next step."

Shockley, a native of Jackson, Mo., comes to Columbia College from Central Methodist University, where he served as the Director and head coach of Esports since May of 2019. Prior to that, he was the Assistant Esports Coach from Jan. 2018 to May of 2019. He also worked in the CMU Admissions office as an Admission Representative from Aug. 2017 to Jan. 2020.

Shockley earned his bachelor's degree in 2012 and his Master's of Education in 2015, both from CMU. Shockley was apart of CMU Athletics since 2008, where he was a four-year member of the men's soccer team and served as an assistant coach from 2013-15. In spring of 2015, Shockley was awarded the "Coach Moz Staff Award" and was the first assistant coach to receive the award.

Shockley helped develop the Esports program at CMU and led three different teams to the conference finals in Overwatch, Hearthstone and Fortnite during the fall 2020 season.

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as Director of Esports at Columbia College," said Shockley. "It's exciting to be a part of the tradition that Columbia College has established in collegiate sports. I would like to thank Columbia College for giving me this opportunity and I look forward to taking Columbia College to new heights in collegiate Esports."

At CMU, Shockley had 19 playoff appearances, nine conference rankings and 49 All-Academic players, while leading the program to over 100 wins.
Shockley will help Columbia College expand their Esports program as he fielded teams in League of Legends, Rainbow 6 Siege and Rocket League.

League of Legends Head Coach, Paras Baghai, will remain on staff and can focus on efforts to ensure League of Legends remains a national contender.