Photos by Ralph Freso
Grand Canyon University alumnus Matthew Calderwood grew up playing video games. But when it was time to focus on school, he powered down his gaming to become a lawyer.
He went on to law school and earned his juris doctorate. But it was only a matter of time before Calderwood’s gaming passion reignited and landed him a position as the first GCU Esports head coach.
“I think I would be lying if I tried to say I wasn’t like every other young guy that gets on Rocket League and they are like, ‘If I get good enough for this, what is going to happen?’
“At some point in my life, it was my dream career to be a lawyer, but like any career path when you get really invested, you learn all the different details of what goes around instead of your specific circumstances. I found my desire was really to do sports law.”
Calderwood graduated from GCU in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in government with an emphasis in legal studies. Although esports already had been developed on campus, Calderwood invested himself in different interests at the time, such as the debate team, moot court and Freshman Class Council.
He continued his higher education at Texas Tech, pursuing a master’s degree in communications. While there, Calderwood decided to give esports a try after a faculty member encouraged him to get involved in the gaming community. He delved into the occasional competition, but it wasn’t until he started at Michigan State University, where he earned his juris doctorate, that he competed regularly in Overwatch and became the team captain.
The new ideal career for Calderwood had become a combination of law and sports. Hopeful for a change of scenery and a hub for his two passions after graduation, Calderwood was at a crossroads between New York, Florida and Arizona.
It seemed natural to return to Arizona and his alma mater.
“I moved out here for legal work, and I got an email from GCU and I thought, ‘oh, GCU, duh,’” Calderwood said. “I was strolling through GCU’s job site, just looking at different options. I found the esports opportunity and I thought, well, I’m pretty good at video games. I thought it would be fun, and as soon as I ended my interview with Jay DeShong (director of esports operations), I thought, that’s a guy I can work for.”
In his GCU student days, the school’s esports program was a small community gathering in what’s now the campus candy shop, Sweet Disciple. But when Calderwood returned to GCU as a part-time esports coach in 2023, the program’s growth and expansion came as an exciting and enticing surprise.
He walked into an esports arena that touts more than 70 gaming computers and multiple Xboxes and PlayStations. It also is home to several varsity teams and a community of close to 2,000 students.
“Since Matt joined GCU Esports, he’s truly solidified the culture of accountability,” DeShong said. “This culture isn’t just about winning, but it’s about building consistent, positive habits that reflect in every aspect of our players’ and staff’s lives.
“Matt’s esports journey began in college as a competitor. That awareness allows Matt to connect with players, work with opposing teams, and engage fans with grace, patience and understanding. He’s fostered a culture that prioritizes growth, integrity and accountability over everything else. That’s the kind of legacy that lasts far beyond the virtual field.”
The university recently joined the Mountain West Conference, which includes esports. The change will benefit GCU Esports in various ways, such as opportunities to compete against highly ranked institutions and draw national attention through live broadcasts streamed on conference platforms.
With two varsity teams competing in the conference, Rocket League and Valorant, Calderwood’s hope as the head coach is to elevate the program’s ranks, boost team morale, offer encouraging mentorship and, most of all, create a supportive, welcoming community where students feel at home.
The Rocket League varsity team kicked off its season Monday night when it competed in its first Mountain West game. With Calderwood's coaching and aggressive determination from the team, GCU won 3-0 against San Jose State. The game was livestreamed on the MW website and GCU's CAM PLAY.
“Every coach wants to win a ring, you know?” Calderwood said. “You want that national championship, but outside of that, a big part of me and my expectation for the teams is that it’s about culture for these guys. It is about producing a family, a group that comes together with the common goal of wanting to play well. At the end of it all, as long as they are satisfied with the product they created, that’s it for me.”
GCU staff writer Izabela Fogarasi can be reached at [email protected]
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