Daniel DePhilippis
In 2019, Esports Management major Daniel DePhilippis from Galloway, N.J., quit his job in tech support at a cable company to pursue his love for gaming.
“I knew my job wasn’t going anywhere, so I made a commitment to attend community college and fix my grades,” he said. “I made President’s and Dean’s list with a 4.0 GPA, and then submitted applications to four schools. I was accepted to all of them.”
He selected SUNY Canton over other larger, more prestigious colleges after seeing the Game Design Lab and Esports Arena. “I could tell that the college took esports seriously,” he said. “It was my top choice.”
Around the same time, Daniel struggled with health issues and made up his mind to change his diet and get physically active.
“My story shows that sometimes you can push a reset button in life, just like video games,” he said.
As a Student Ambassador for the Admissions Office, the customer service skills he learned working in tech support helps him interact with prospective students and families on campus tours.
“I focus on creating a fun, positive experience so that hopefully they will see SUNY Canton the way I see it.”
After graduation, Daniel wants to manage an esports team and be a part of the future of esports.
“I hope to see it become a global phenomenon and maybe one day be an Olympic sport.”