LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland University Esports continues to build a national reputation, as Esports Director
Spencer Claypool, Graduate Assistant
Michael Decesare, and the Cumberland Esports program have all been named finalists for prestigious awards from the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE). Claypool is a finalist for NACE Director of the Year, Decesare is up for Social Media of the Year, and the program as a whole is in the running for Program of the Year.
NACE is the largest governing body of varsity collegiate esports in the country, made up of over 170 member schools. The organization plays a vital role in growing and legitimizing collegiate esports by providing structure, resources, and recognition to programs competing at the varsity level.
Launched in the fall of 2021 by Claypool after finishing up as a graduate assistant for Cumberland's Sports Information Department, the Esports program has experienced rapid growth. Starting with just nine players, the program now supports over 100 student-athletes across 20 competitive teams.
Under Claypool's leadership, Cumberland Esports has compiled an impressive résumé:
- 25 Players of the Week
- 30 All-Conference honorees
- 24 championship titles across multiple games and leagues
Claypool's leadership has not gone unnoticed. He was the Mid-South Coach of the Year in both 2024 and 2025, a two-time CECC Director of the Year finalist, and now a finalist for NACE's highest honor for an Esports Director.
Director Accolades:
- 2024, 2025: Mid-South Coach of the Year
- 2024, 2025: CECC Director of the Year Finalist
- 2025: NACE Director of the Year Finalist
- 2025: CECC Rising Star Program Award
Program Achievements Include:
- 2021: NECC Madden National Championship
- 2021: NECC Emergents Rocket League Conference Championship
- 2022: ECAC NBA 2K National Championship
- 2022: ECAC Madden National Championship
- 2023: NACE East Call of Duty Div 1 Varsity Plus Conference Championship
- 2023: NACE East Valorant Div 1 Varsity Plus Conference Championship
- 2024: Redbull Campus Clutch Delta Valorant Championship
- 2024: NECC Overwatch Div II East Conference Championship
- 2024: NECC Valorant Div II Crosswood Conference Championship
- 2024: Playfly Overwatch Conference Championship
- 2024: Playfly Call of Duty Conference Championship
- 2024: Playfly Rainbow 6 Conference Championship
- 2025: Playfly Valorant Conference Championship
- 2025: Volan Rocket League Championship
- 2025: Belmont Valorant Invitational Championship
- 2023, 2024, 2025: Rocket League, Overwatch, Valorant Mid-South Conference Championship
"This is such a surreal moment," said Claypool. "Since starting this program, my goal was to create the best Esports program while giving my players the opportunity to compete in something they love. I am blessed that the program, the staff, and myself are finalists. We finally get to show off all the hard work we've done over the years."
Winners will be announced during the 2025 NACE National Convention on July 24 in Dallas, Texas.
