Camila Nguyen Members of the Texas Wesleyan Esports team create digital content inside the esports office. The department’s student-led media team produces videos, social media posts and livestream content to promote the program and build community. At Texas Wesleyan University, esports is more than just gaming—it’s storytelling. Behind the viral TikTok, engaging Instagram Reels, and […]
Members of the Texas Wesleyan Esports team create digital content inside the esports office. The department’s student-led media team produces videos, social media posts and livestream content to promote the program and build community.
At Texas Wesleyan University, esports is more than just gaming—it’s storytelling. Behind the viral TikTok, engaging Instagram Reels, and real-time Twitter updates stands a dynamic team committed to capturing the heart and soul of collegiate esports through impactful content.
Daryl Culpepper, social media manager for Texas Wesleyan Esports, always saw storytelling as his calling.
“Esports gave me a unique lens—capturing emotions, the grind, and personalities behind the scenes,” Culpepper said. “My goal was always to elevate my teammates’ voices and help build something meaningful.”
Culpepper described how his role evolved beyond merely posting clips, growing into a sophisticated blend of strategic planning and authentic engagement. A recent TikTok featuring raw player reactions after a clutch match significantly exceeded engagement expectations, becoming a testament to the genuine storytelling approach Culpepper champions.
“Platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels reward quick, authentic, entertaining content,” he said. “Twitter complements that by providing real-time updates and direct community interactions.”
Meanwhile, Benjamin Domenzain, community manager and new student mentor lead, integrates his dual roles seamlessly.
“Being a mentor aligns perfectly with content creation because it allows me to genuinely connect new students to our esports family,” he said. “We emphasize connection—it’s what differentiates us.”
One notable content piece Domenzain highlighted was a recent media day where students showcased their personalized esports jerseys.
Ashley Edwards, academic advisor for computer science, is honored in the TXWES Esports “Division of Student Affairs Spotlight” series. The initiative recognizes faculty and staff whose work supports student success through compassion, commitment and leadership. (Camila Nguyen)
“It visually reinforced our identity as more than just a team; we’re a community,” Domenzain said.
Both Domenzain and Culpepper recognize the significant role analytics play in content strategy, using engagement rates and watch times to continually refine their approaches. Culpepper recalls facing low engagement during quieter seasons, creatively pivoting toward meme-driven and short-interview content that revitalized follower interaction.
“Analytics are like a compass guiding our content creation journey,” Culpepper said. “When engagement dipped during slower periods, we didn’t panic—we pivoted. Shifting our focus toward meme-driven content and short, playful interviews allowed us to reconnect with our audience authentically. It reinforced that adaptability, informed by analytics, is crucial to keeping our community engaged and energized.”
Eugene Frier, director of Esports at Texas Wesleyan, expressed pride in the department’s innovative approach.
“Our goal isn’t simply promoting esports,” Frier said. “It’s about creating content people genuinely want to watch, whether it’s gaming-related, pop culture-driven, or tapping into fun TikTok trends.”
The esports minor introduced at Texas Wesleyan in collaboration with the Mass Communication Department exemplifies the institution’s commitment to academic integration. Courses like “Content Creation in Esports & Gaming” have provided students with structured ways to develop professional skills.
“Our mission extends beyond esports itself,” Frier said. “We’re preparing students with marketable skills, regardless of the industry they enter.”
Looking ahead, the esports content team plans exciting expansions.
“We’re exploring documentary-style videos, deeper dives into player routines, and even player takeovers on social media,” Culpepper said.
Frier added that discussions are underway about launching a dedicated streaming team, offering additional content streams and practical experience for students.
“Launching a dedicated streaming team is about expanding our storytelling capabilities and giving students hands-on experience in content production,” Frier said. “This initiative isn’t just about increasing the quantity of content; it’s about creating meaningful, engaging opportunities for our students to build professional skills, showcase their creativity, and deepen connections within our esports community.”
For Domenzain, the biggest personal lesson has been patience in the creative process.
“Sometimes a 30-second TikTok video can take hours to perfect,” he said. “But learning to embrace imperfections has been essential.”
Above all, the esports department’s content creation isn’t merely about visibility—it’s about community building, professional growth, and fostering a vibrant campus culture. Domenzain encourages aspiring content creators to believe in themselves and take chances, calling confidence the first step toward success.
“Take a leap of faith. Believing in yourself is the first step toward creating something great,” Domenzain said.
With a strategic vision and a creative heart, Texas Wesleyan’s esports department isn’t just playing the game—they’re changing how collegiate esports connects, communicates and thrives.
Brag House Explores NIL Initiative to Expand Revenue Opportuniti
Brag House Holdings (NASDAQ: TBH) announces a NIL initiative for student-athletes to monetize personal brands through digital collectibles. The NIL market was valued at $917M in 2022, with projections to exceed $1.5B by 2027. The platform aims to launch a pilot on select campuses by late 2025, leveraging access to over 200 NCAA campuses. Brag […]
Brag House Holdings (NASDAQ: TBH) announces a NIL initiative for student-athletes to monetize personal brands through digital collectibles.
The NIL market was valued at $917M in 2022, with projections to exceed $1.5B by 2027.
The platform aims to launch a pilot on select campuses by late 2025, leveraging access to over 200 NCAA campuses.
Brag House Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: TBH) is venturing into the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) space with an innovative initiative aimed at allowing student-athletes to monetize their personal brands via digital collectibles and blockchain-backed experiences. This strategic move builds on Brag House’s partnership with Learfield, granting access to over 200 NCAA campuses, primarily in Division 1.
The initiative will see student-athletes create and sell authenticated digital assets, such as signature highlight reels and exclusive game-day access passes. These efforts will allow athletes to retain majority earnings from initial sales as well as revenue shares from resales. The platform will feature a no-code interface and compliance tools to ensure adherence to NCAA regulations, coupled with blockchain technology for secure transactions.
The NIL market has shown rapid growth, reaching $917 million in 2022 and projected to surpass $1.5 billion by 2027. Meanwhile, the global NFT trading volume topped $24 billion in 2023. Brag House’s focus on inclusive NIL compensation stands out as it targets the broader student-athlete population rather than just high-profile individuals.
Despite the promising outlook, the initiative’s execution faces some challenges, including the need for a suitable blockchain framework and compliance with diverse NIL regulations. The pilot program is expected to begin in late 2025, which may delay immediate revenue opportunities.
Brag House aims to empower the next generation of student-athletes by providing meaningful revenue opportunities while embracing Gen Z’s demand for authenticity and digital innovation, thus aligning with growing market trends.
Showcase Q&A: Scotland County’s Hamlin discusses her grandfather’s legacy, music and pickleball
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. MEMPHIS, Mo. — Kwyn Hamlin signed a letter of intent for more than just herself. By […]
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10.
MEMPHIS, Mo. — Kwyn Hamlin signed a letter of intent for more than just herself.
By signing with the University of Central Missouri to continue her track and field career, Hamlin is continuing a family tradition. Her grandfather, Charley Hamlin, brought home five state medals for Knox County in 1961.
Charley will not get to see Kwyn live out her college track and field dreams, though. The Hamlin family lost Charley to cancer in August 2020.
“To honor him and carry on the Hamlin legacy, I guess you could say, meant a lot because he helped me a lot with track,” Kwyn Hamlin said.
Even as Charley fought cancer, he was still there for Kwyn.
“When he was really sick, he would still come to all my track meets in my seventh and eighth grade year,” Kwyn Hamlin said.
Charley was also there in spirit with Kwyn, a six-time state qualifier in her career at Scotland County and state medalist in two events this spring, when she signed with UCM on January 19 — Charley’s birthday.
“It means everything,” Hamlin said of carrying on her grandfather’s legacy.
Hamlin will lace up her high tops one more time before beginning her college track career. Hamlin will represent Scotland County for the Missouri girls in the fourth annual Muddy River Showcase. Hamlin discussed her future as a physical therapist, music, pickleball, and more with Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey in this Showcase Q&A.
Q: What are you looking forward to most about playing in the Muddy River Showcase?
A: Definitely being able to lace up the shoes one last time before college and playing with and against some of the best girls in the area.
Q: You’re going to UCM for track. What events are you going to be participating in there?
A: We talked about high jump and some sprints, maybe some different new events.
Q: What are you doing this summer to prepare for what lies ahead?
A: I’m in contact with my college coach a lot. I went and performed in the all-star track meet not too long ago, and he said that he was watching it. He sends workouts and all that. I’ve just been going into the weight room and lifting, getting ready for the college experience.
Q: Will one last time on the basketball court be like one last hoorah? It’s not for a district title or anything. You’re just out there hooping.
A: Yeah, I’m really excited. Basketball was definitely something I wanted to go to college for, but when it came down to it, I was enjoying track more than basketball. It was close, though. I had a few offers for basketball, but UCM really stuck out to me, so I decided to keep doing track.
Q: Did you ever think about doing both basketball and track?
A: I did, but I’m studying kinesiology, so I’ll need to focus more on my studies.
Q: What made you want to get into kinesiology?
A: I have awful ankles. It’s like an inside joke. We have a Barstool page for our school, and I get posted a lot just because of how bad my ankles are. I spend a lot of time in physical therapy because of them, so I want to be able to help other people who have also struggled. Not being able to play a sport is really hard on someone mentally and physically, so I want to help people get back to what they want to do.
Q: Do you have to do anything different as you’re preparing for a meet or a game because of your ankles? Do you wear a brace?
A: I do in basketball. I wear two ankle braces playing basketball, but not during track. I think it’s the defensive slides and things like that that are hard on my ankles. You’d think high jump would be hard on them but it’s really not.
Q: Do you have any crazy ankle injury stories?
A: I was playing AAU basketball this summer, and I had to have my right foot in a boot. I got hurt at the beginning of July. Then softball came along, and I slid into second base, and I rolled my left ankle, so I was in a boot and then I had a brace on my left ankle.
Q: What other hobbies do you have outside of track, basketball, softball, and school?
A: I love pickleball. My friends and I play pickleball all the time. It’s just so fun. We have really nice courts at our town park, so my friends go up there and have little tournaments. I go golfing a little bit here and there, too.
Q: Do you know what your rating is?
A: No, we just play. There are some old people out there every once in a while, and they get very serious.
Q: How long have you been playing pickleball?
A: Since about last July, but then I hurt my ankle, so I had to sit out for a while.
Q: Have you played pickleball much this summer?
A: It hasn’t really been great weather, so maybe like three or four times. I play with my grandpa a lot. He’s a big pickleball guy, but like I said, the older people always take it very seriously, so it’s hard to play with them.
Q: What’s your favorite dessert?
A: Probably apple pie. That’s always so good.
Q: Who’s your favorite musical artist?
A: Probably Usher. I like the 2010s rap. Usher or Drake. I was really big on the Kendrick Lamar-Drake drama there for a while. I probably changed sides like every week.
Q: Did you end up on Drake’s side?
A: Kind of. I like his old music more than Kendrick, but I like Kendrick’s new music more than Drake’s.
Q: So, you were on both sides then?
A: Yeah. The Super Bowl halftime performance by Kendrick kind of sealed it, though. Name dropping at the Super Bowl is crazy.
Q: Do you have a playlist or a few songs that you listen to before a meet or a game?
A: Not really a playlist. It kind of depends. I’ll just come across a song and be like man, “This is really good.” Something by Drake, we’ll just say that.
Q: Is there anything else people should know about Kwyn Hamlin?
A: I hate to lose. I might be the biggest sore loser on the planet. I hate losing. I will do anything in my power not to lose.
Check out more of the Muddy River Showcase Q&As at the links below:
Noxon team wins 1st Annual Filling Station Youth Volleyball Tournament
Full caption: Team ‘The Final Rally’, made up of Noxon High volleyball players, won the 1st Annual Filling Station Youth Volleyball Tournament held this past Saturday in Clark Fork. In addition to team ‘The Final Rally, three other teams participated, two from Clark Fork and one from Bonners Ferry. The tournament, which lasted nearly 10 hours […]
Full caption: Team ‘The Final Rally’, made up of Noxon High volleyball players, won the 1st Annual Filling Station Youth Volleyball Tournament held this past Saturday in Clark Fork. In addition to team ‘The Final Rally, three other teams participated, two from Clark Fork and one from Bonners Ferry. The tournament, which lasted nearly 10 hours from start to finish, was a competitive one, with the majority of sets being decided by just a few points. The Filling Station would like to thank all of their volunteers and supporters for helping to make the inaugural event a success. Pictured, in front, from left are champions Nevaeh Christensen, Sandy Bonney, Emma Swanson, Seanna Richter, Callie Cano and Jasmine Risch. In the back is coach Toni Richter. Not pictured is Abigail Yoder.
USOPC/NCAA Para-College Inclusion Project Continues at 2025 Division I Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Oregon
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The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the NCAA office of inclusion will partner for a second consecutive year as part of the Para-College Inclusion Project and Paralympians Made Here initiatives at the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships taking placeWednesday through Saturday […]
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the NCAA office of inclusion will partner for a second consecutive year as part of the Para-College Inclusion Project and Paralympians Made Here initiatives at the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships taking placeWednesday through Saturday in Eugene, Oregon.
As part of the Para-College Inclusion Project, two national collegiate wheelchair 100-meter races will be held during the track championships to provide collegiate adaptive student-athletes with more visibility and support. The men’s 100-meter wheelchair finals will be held at 4:50 p.m. Pacific time Friday, while the women’s 100-meter wheelchair finals will be held at 5:50 p.m. Pacific time Saturday.
Though the NCAA does not sponsor Paralympic sports, the Para-College Inclusion Project was created in 2021 to engage schools that offer adaptive sports to collectively increase Paralympic sport understanding, awareness and connection across the collegiate landscape. In addition to para track and field, the project has featured wheelchair sport exhibitions, demonstrations and national collegiate finals at the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Fours, the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships and the National Collegiate Men’s and Women’s Fencing Championships.
The NCAA and USOPC have also collaborated on the Paralympians Made Here campaign, which was created to support Paralympic sports and build national awareness for opportunities within the college sports landscape. Like the Olympic movement in the United States, the Paralympic movement has strong collegiate ties across the nation. More than 70 U.S. Paralympians competed in an NCAA championship sport before taking the world stage at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. A total of 11 collegiate athletes representing NCAA schools won 18 medals at the Paris Games in para athletics (track and field) — eight gold, six silver and four bronze. U.S. collegiate Paralympians also tallied robust numbers in other dashboard categories in Paris.
The next Paralympic Games will be held this winter, March 6-15 in Milan, while the next summer Paralympic Games will be held in 2028 in Los Angeles.
Lang and Maclay on how sitting volleyball changed their lives
Allison Lang has always loved playing sports. She took up swimming, football, skiing, and snowboarding as a child, but it was sitting volleyball that truly gave her a sense of belonging and a community that welcomed her. Nearly a decade after finding the sport, she made history with her teammates—whom she calls her friends—at the […]
Allison Lang has always loved playing sports. She took up swimming, football, skiing, and snowboarding as a child, but it was sitting volleyball that truly gave her a sense of belonging and a community that welcomed her.
Nearly a decade after finding the sport, she made history with her teammates—whom she calls her friends—at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Lang helped Canada win their first Paralympic sitting volleyball medal, as well as the country’s first team sport medal since London 2012.
“It feels amazing to say that we accomplished that, especially alongside so many of my friends,” Lang said during a TikTok live on @Paralympics.
“It feels like a sisterhood I never had growing up because I never had role models or knew people that were living with disability in such a positive light.”
Canada won bronze in the women’s sitting volleyball tournament at Paris 2024. @Steph Chambers/Getty Images
Business on court and good friends off the court
At the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Canada defeated Tokyo 2020 medallists Brazil in straight sets in the women’s bronze medal match at the North Paris Arena. After securing the match point, players and team staff rushed to the net, embracing in celebration.
The USA won their third straight gold medal in the women’s tournament after beating China 3–1. Heather Nicole Erickson was named Most Valuable Player of the Games, while Kaleo Kanahele Maclay was selected Best Setter.
Standing on her first Paralympic podium, Lang had a surge of emotions, and memories of her hard work and dedication flashed before her.
“It was a play by play of all the work, the hours, the effort and the training that we’ve all put in,” Lang said. “Seeing the video back of them putting the medal on me, it was that sigh of relief.”
Lang, right, made her Paralympic debut in Paris, nearly a decade after discovering sitting volleyball. @Elsa/Getty Images
For Maclay, it was also a dream come true, winning her third straight gold medal in front of her family, including her two sons.
“For them to be there, seeing that moment and getting to experience it was like, we did it, I can breathe,” Maclay shared during the same TikTok live, adding that she thinks “it’s for her kids to see the sacrifice but to also see what it’s all for.”
Maclay also reflected on how special it was to compete against sitting volleyball players from around the world on the biggest stage.
“In elite sports, it’s such a specific experience that allows, the ability to have people who understand disability and are on the same page as you in life, experiencing this very unique thing alongside you is so special,” she said.
“We are competitors but also, we can be friends. We can try to push the movement together, ultimately leaving the sport better than I found it.”
Maclay, who made her Paralympic debut at London 2012, helped Team USA win their third consecutive gold medal at Paris 2024. @Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Finding a community
Lang and Maclay discovered a sense of empowerment from being surrounded by athletes with similar experiences—a feeling that deeply influenced them at a young age and helped them truly “own the space” they were in.
Lang found out about Para sports when she was invited to play sitting volleyball at a charity event at the age of 16.
“I finally met women with disabilities that were great role models for me and made me feel a lot more secure (about) living with a disability,” said Lang, who was born missing half her leg.
“For so long I thought my disability was the obstacle that held me back but in fact it has given me more opportunity in life.”
Lang helped Canada make sporting history at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. @Elsa/Getty Images
Full-time content creator, model, motivational speaker, and a Paralympic medallist, Lang looks to be the same call for the coming generations.
“If you would have asked 13-year-old Ally if she ever thought that would be a possibility, I would have said no because I was so insecure,” Lang said. “It’s really special to give that message to kids and I wish I had heard that when I was younger.”
For Maclay, her two sons Duke and Kai are her greatest legacy—bringing them along on her journey, including at Paris 2024, and helping them grow up with a broader, more inclusive view of the world.
“Duke has grown up watching sitting volleyball, so when he saw standing volleyball, he said, ‘What is that?’ And I just love that for him,” Maclay said with a smile.
Lang and Maclay want to grow and strengthen this community, whether it is by hosting talks to inspire the youth, advocating for women in sports, or engaging in the “recruiting phase” by calling out young female athletes during a TikTok live session with @Paralympics in May.
“My team along with Team USA, we try to showcase sitting volleyball in such a positive light and are hoping to find more athletes in Canada. So, if anyone is watching, yes, we are recruiting right now,” Lang said.
Maclay, centre, played in front of her family at the North Paris Arena. @ Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Gearing up for LA28
This year, both Lang and Maclay have already started gearing up for the next Paralympic Games, now just three years away.
Sitting volleyball will be one of the 23 sports featured on the LA28 Paralympic Games programme. Eight of the world’s best teams will compete for gold in the women’s tournament at the Arena in Long Beach, California, as part of the Games taking place from 15–27 August 2028.
“We’re getting amped up and already training for LA28, like I’m sure Kaleo’s team is,” Lang said.
With four gold medals on the line and the energy of a home crowd behind them, the pressure is real for Maclay and Team USA.
When asked about the weight of chasing a fourth consecutive gold medal, Maclay smiled and quoted tennis legend Billie Jean King:
“Pressure is a privilege.”
Team USA will be chasing their fourth straight sitting volleyball gold medal at LA28. @ Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for USOPC
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Stephen A. responds to LeBron’s NBA coverage criticism | First Take
