Aaron Shockley enters his seventh season as Director of Esports at Columbia College in 2026 after building one of the nation’s premier collegiate esports programs.
Since taking over the Cougars, Shockley has guided the program to an overall record of 1,676-678-1, 75 conference championships, an HAAC Regular Season Championship, CRL National Championship, and 2026 HAAC Coach of the Year honors. Under his leadership, Columbia has produced a CRL National Player of the Year, multiple conference MVP's and Players of the Year, 40 All-Academic honorees, and 115 Columbia College Athletics Director’s Honor Roll recipients.
The 2025-26 season was another milestone, as the Cougars captured 15 championships, won their first HAAC Regular Season and Tournament titles, and earned national tournament appearances in Rocket League and Valorant.
Shockley’s teams have consistently competed on the national stage. In 2024, Columbia qualified for the Collegiate Valorant National Championship and CECC May Madness while Rainbow Six Siege reached a program-best No. 2 national ranking. The program also captured 16 championships and continued its tradition of academic excellence.
In 2023, Columbia’s Rainbow Six Siege team won the program’s first championship in the title, contributing to an 18-championship season. The previous year, Shockley led the Cougars to the program’s first CRL National Championship in Rocket League while winning 11 championships across four teams.
His 2021 squad made history by qualifying for the inaugural Collegiate Rocket League World Championship, finishing among the world’s top eight teams while setting program records for winning percentage and total victories.
Before joining Columbia College, Shockley founded and led the Esports program at Central Methodist University for four seasons. There, he guided the Eagles to three playoff finals, eight national rankings, 16 playoff appearances, two conference Players of the Year, and 40 All-Academic selections.
A native of Jackson, Missouri, Shockley earned both his bachelor’s degree in Sport Management and his master’s degree in Sport Administration from Central Methodist University. He resides in Fayette, Missouri, with his children.
