Gidd Sasser begins his first season as the Director of Esports at Capital University in 2026.
Sasser is no stranger to success at the collegiate level, seeing much success in his six years as the Esports Director at Catawba College. He is a three-time national champion and five-time conference champion in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), earning ECAC Director of the Season in 2025 and ECAC Coach of the Season in 2024 along the way.
Outside of collegiate program leadership, Sasser has also held held executive and operational roles across Esports and gaming organizations, including Director of Operations for Simplicity Esports & Gaming Company & Flamengo Esports (League of Legends franchise), a division of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo. Sasser has held several professional Esports leadership positions supporting talent development and competitive performance for organizations such as the Raleigh Black Flame, Bermuda, Skyfoxes, and the Detroit Renegades.
Along with coaching, Sasser has a strong passion for teaching, spending the last five years as an Adjunct Professor at Rowan University. He played a key role in expanding the curriculum at Rowan, teaching courses such as Introduction to Esports, Esports Streaming and Social Platforms, and Esports Operations and Strategies. At Capital, Sasser will be involved in the Compliance Department to go with his role of Director of Esports.
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Dr. Darrell Bailey Sr. on the hiring of Gidd: "We are excited to have Gidd Sasser join us to embrace this new concept of learning and competition through his expert guidance and proven Esports experience," said Dr. Bailey. "With him onboard, we are ready to foster a championship mindset, one match at a time!"
Dr. Jared Tice, President of Capital University on the hiring of Sasser: "Gidd Sasser's track record speaks for itself," said Dr. Jared Tice, President of Capital University. His success as a three-time national champion and as a builder of elite Esports programs at the collegiate and professional levels gives Capital an immediate competitive advantage. His leadership positions us to enter the collegiate Esports landscape ready to compete, grow, and lead on the national stage."
Gidd Sasser on the opportunity ahead of him: "I am honored to join Capital University as the first Director of Esports," states Sasser. "This is an opportunity to help shape something new and lasting, including a pioneering Esports program and state-of-the-art facility for the Capital University campus. I am excited about the chance to build a culture where performance and people matter equally, creating a competitive, welcoming, student-centered space where students can compete at a high level, develop industry-relevant skills, develop lasting relationships, and find a community that truly values them. I'm incredibly grateful to President Jared Tice and Director of Athletics and Recreation Dr. Darrell Bailey Sr. for their trust and support. I am excited to build on the region's deep ties to Esports and provide additional opportunities for the strong Esports representation already thriving in our communities. This foundational moment gives us a unique chance to raise the bar for excellence while ensuring every student continues to feel seen, supported, and included. I can't wait to help our students represent Capital with pride."
