NOTE: One in a series of pieces written by Oklahoma Christian's head coaches, explaining in their own voice why they do what they do. Lucas Hayworth is in his first season as the director of OC's new Esports program.

OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 18, 2020) – I seek to empower my players through focusing my passion through their efforts. Esports – competitive video gaming, especially of the collegiate nature – is a new-fangled phenomenon with the large backing of a billion-dollar industry.

Even though Esports uses a digital platform as the medium, they are just as – if not more so – competitive than traditional sports. Our players often practice more than eight hours a day, five to seven days a week, some out of mandatory requirement but largely from their passion for mastering their craft.
 
Our Oklahoma Christian Esports teams are very new, most of them established this semester. I have utilized the adaptability and the quick-witted nature of our players to establish a solid foundation for our forward progress, and I channel this prowess into my coaching. If I ask my players to put in 100 percent, then I am prepared to put in 150 percent.
 
I hope that through the highly competitive, yet ultimately holistic nature of our program, our student-athletes will develop their skills and talents in a well-rounded manner which sets them up for future success in any endeavor they undertake. I want them to be ambitious, passionate and dedicated to themselves and their future lives. I sincerely hope the impact OC and our Esports program has on their lives serves them to the utmost beneficial power possible.
 
I am extremely thankful for being able to serve OC and our students in a way that allows me to channel my passion into developing young fledgling student-athletes into the best version of themselves. I thank God every day for allowing me to continue to serve as OC's director of Esports.