From criminal justice to competitive gaming, recent Baldwin Wallace graduate leads collegiate esports program to national success.
When Andres Ramirez '24 arrived at Baldwin Wallace University to study criminal justice, he couldn't have predicted his career would lead him to become a trailblazing collegiate esports coach.
Now, as head coach of Overwatch at Cumberland University in Tennessee, he's making program history.
The Toledo, Ohio, native and St. John's Jesuit High School alumnus discovered his true calling while volunteering with BW's esports program. Under the mentorship of BW Esports Director Jake Grasso, Ramirez developed the coaching skills that would shape his future career.
"My time as a volunteer coach at BW gave me the tools necessary for success," Ramirez reflects. "I'm especially grateful to Jake Grasso for providing me with this opportunity."
At Cumberland University, where Ramirez is pursuing a degree in athletic coaching, his impact was immediate. His Overwatch team has secured three league championship titles and earned a coveted spot at CECC, the largest LAN gaming event in the country.
The path to becoming a collegiate esports coach hasn't been traditional. "Esports has been my passion for several years," says Ramirez. "It has been a bumpy road attempting to find stability within this career, but I have landed in a very good spot."
The gaming industry's rapid growth has created new opportunities for professionals like Ramirez, who combine competitive spirit with leadership skills. His success demonstrates how emerging fields can offer unexpected career paths for graduates willing to pursue their passions.
While his criminal justice studies might seem far removed from his current role, Ramirez says the leadership and analytical skills developed at Baldwin Wallace have proved invaluable in his coaching career.
His unconventional career path is a testimony to ways a liberal arts education can prepare graduates for success in innovative and emerging fields.
As esports continues to grow at the collegiate level, Ramirez is positioned at the forefront of this exciting industry.
For current BW students interested in esports careers, Ramirez's journey from BW volunteer coach to successful program leader offers an inspiring example of how co-curricular experiences and mentorship can open doors to unexpected professional opportunities.
