Schon Hale, a manager and player within Northwood’s Esports program, has been signed by the world-renowned OG Esports to serve as team manager for their professional Marvel Rivals roster.

Hale, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, joined Northwood University and its championship-winning Esports program in Fall 2024. In his short time on campus, Hale has made a significant impact, managing the varsity Rocket League team and playing for Northwood’s academy roster.

His leadership has extended beyond the field of play — he helped launch Northwood’s first Marvel Rivals roster and co-founded the grassroots collegiate league, College Deadlock.

“Schon is a rare talent — not only does he bring a professional mindset to team management, but he’s also incredibly forward-thinking,” said Assistant Northwood Esports Coach Aden Frosch. “Marvel Rivals is one of the fastest-growing titles in esports, and OG Esports saw the same leadership in Schon that we’ve benefited from at Northwood. It’s a massive win for him and a testament to the type of talent we attract and develop here.”

Hale’s resume includes stints with professional organizations such as Dark Zero and Elevate, as well as attending the 2024 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His experience and versatility have positioned him well for this next step, as OG Esports prepares to compete in a newly announced Marvel Rivals tournament featuring a staggering $3 million prize pool.

“OG Esports has always been a legendary organization in the scene — two-time champions of The International, backed by Red Bull, and a leader in European esports,” Hale said. “Getting the opportunity to manage their Marvel Rivals team is a dream come true, and I’m grateful to Northwood for helping me grow into this role.”

Despite his new professional responsibilities, Hale will continue his education at Northwood University and remain active with the Rocket League roster. His involvement is expected to deepen as collegiate Marvel Rivals competitions emerge this fall.

“Schon’s signing is proof that careers in esports extend far beyond the player’s seat,” said Northwood Esports Coach Jacob R. Jacob. “This is a proud moment not just for Schon, but for our entire program. His success reflects the spirit of Northwood Esports — developing well-rounded leaders who are prepared to succeed at the highest levels of the industry.”

With Hale’s professional connections and vision, Northwood Esports is actively exploring the creation of a top-tier Marvel Rivals collegiate team, further solidifying its place as a global leader in competitive collegiate gaming.

For more information about Northwood Esports, visit https://esports.northwood.edu/ or utilize this inquiry form to connect with the Northwood Esports coaching staff.

World Journalism Prep celebrates Minecraft esports victory.

Photos by Ramy Mahmoud

Call it a pixel-perfect victory.

A team of students from World Journalism Preparatory: A College Board School, in Queens, secured a major victory at the first-ever NYC Video Games Festival, winning the high school division of the Minecraft Education “Battle of the Boroughs” competition.

The high school team, known as ‘Diamond Sword Bustamoney,’ emerged as citywide champions following a three-stage tournament that began with preliminary digital submissions, advanced through borough-level championships, and culminated in the final round held on May 31. This marks the first time a Queens school has won the title since the competition began in 2021.

The students were honored at a celebration held at the school located at 34-65 192nd St. in Flushing on Tuesday, June 10.

“This is a major achievement for our school and for Queens,” said Ernest Lai, computer science teacher and coach of the school’s Minecraft Club. “The competition required students to solve complex urban planning challenges using Minecraft, while demonstrating creativity, teamwork, and the ability to present their ideas effectively.”

The Battle of the Boroughs was launched by the New York City Department of Education in partnership with Microsoft and the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. Originally developed during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide a virtual learning environment, the initiative has grown into a citywide scholastic esports competition. Students in elementary, middle, and high school divisions build digital solutions to real-world urban issues using Minecraft Education Edition.

Jose Perez, instructional technologies director for NYC Public Schools, noted the significance of the win. “This was the first time a Queens high school team captured the title,” Perez said. “Diamond Sword Bustamoney defeated tough competition, including the defending champions from Staten Island’s Tottenville High School.”

Team members credited the program with helping them build practical and interpersonal skills. “Being able to apply my creativity in a competitive setting like this was both challenging and rewarding,” said junior Wendell Joseph Quilang Jr. “Mr. Lai really helped me improve how I communicated our team’s work to the judges.”

Bryan Chiu, also a junior, said the experience combined his passion for gaming with new opportunities. “I’ve always enjoyed Minecraft, but this was on another level,” he said. “The event itself was well-organized and gave us a chance to meet other students and represent our borough with pride.”

Principal Dr. Michelle Roberts Bacchus praised the team’s accomplishment as a reflection of the school’s educational mission. “Our students applied what they’ve learned in and out of the classroom to a real-world challenge,” she said. “This competition underscores the importance of integrating technology and creativity into modern learning.”

The winning team consists of five 11th-grade students, and with another year remaining before graduation, the school is already eyeing the possibility of a repeat victory next year.

“This is not just a club—it’s an opportunity for students to demonstrate leadership, critical thinking, and digital fluency,” Dr. Bacchus said. “We are extremely proud of what they’ve achieved.”

African Powerhouses Seal Global Multi-award-winning Afrobeats singer, Davido has signed a landmark global brand partnership with a sports betting and gaming platform.

This significant deal was successfully brokered by Dupla, Cresthood Legal LLP, and the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 2 (West Africa). This dynamic collaboration between top-tier African and international specialists in sports, entertainment, and legal advisory brings together Stake. com and Davido.

The gaming platform sought to align with a high-impact African creative whose personal brand and cultural influence could profoundly elevate its profile. This was driven by a strategic aim to establish a dominant market presence in Africa. To realise this vision, Dupla partnered with Uche Egbe, Managing Director of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 2 (West Africa) and Oluwasanmi Falade, Partner, Cresthood Legal, in identifying an individual whose values and reach perfectly align with platform’s forward-looking brand ethos.

Drawing from their deep understanding of the entertainment ecosystem and leveraging years of relationship-building, Falade and Egbe meticulously curated a shortlist of top-tier African creatives. From this esteemed selection, Davido emerged as the clear and compelling choice. He is an artist whose global appeal, cultural relevance, and entrepreneurial reputation made him a natural fit for the global brand.

The successful brokering and careful structuring of this agreement, was a true testament to the integrated approach of the involved partners. This process included close coordination with Davido’s management team. Luis Cardenas and Miguel Montoro, Dupla’s co-founders, brought their extensive insight and experience, to build synergies across the sports and entertainment worlds. Oluwasanmi Falade’s industry network played a pivotal role in facilitating the deal.

“Working with professionals who understand both the cultural and commercial dynamics of the deal was key. We are impressed with how this deal went,” said Luis Cardenas and Miguel Montoro, co-founders of Dupla and former senior LALIGA executives.

Oluwasanmi Falade, Partner at Cresthood Legal, noted, “Our focus was on ensuring the deal was structured to serve the long-term interests of all parties. It’s a proud moment for us all. Davido’s unique brand value and cultural influence made him the clear choice, and we’re proud to have contributed to making this vision a reality.”

Uche Egbe, Managing Director of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 2, added, “It’s exciting to see a deal of this scale shaped by an African-led team. The depth of local understanding paired with international experience made the outcome truly impactful.”

This collaboration not only signifies a major win for African representation in global brand partnerships but also sets a new benchmark for strategic alliances within today’s dynamic digital entertainment economy.