Charles Keefer is the head esports coach at Pratt Community College (PCC). While he had been a part-time coach for three years, he is now entering his fourth year with a full-time position. During the 2021-22 academic year, Keefer transitioned from a nine-year career in student housing to athletics. In his first year as sports information director at PCC, he began assisting the esports coach at the time in marketing the program to increase interest and student participation.

Through that work, Keefer decided to volunteer his time as an assistant coach, helping with recruitment and learning the ins and outs of esports. However, the PCC administration had a different plan. In September 2022, they named Keefer the head coach, allowing the previous coach to step back and focus on teaching and personal responsibilities.

Although he entered the field unexpectedly, Keefer developed a passion for esports from day one. His goal has been to provide opportunities for students from around the world to come to Pratt, Kansas, to pursue their dreams of playing esports while earning an education.

Keefer has also been involved at the high school level since the beginning, from the college’s program sponsoring state organizations to hosting high school tournaments. He now serves as executive director of the newly formed Kansas Scholastic Esports organization.

Keefer’s favorite part of the job is recruiting and traveling to high school state tournaments across the Midwest to support prospective student-athletes. He has recruited in Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and Texas, and hopes to add Oklahoma, Colorado, Illinois and Arkansas to that list this year. Along the way, he has met several NJCAAE coaches and staff, which has helped him make valuable, in-person connections.

Keefer currently has 14 Brazilian players on his roster, and getting to know their culture and country has been a meaningful experience for both him and his American students. In fact, he has maintained a 137-day Duolingo Portuguese streak.

Like any leadership role, his position comes with challenges, particularly on the management and business side. Keefer oversees 31 student-athletes, ensuring they attend classes, maintain good academic standing, balance their daily lives in healthy ways, and follow campus rules as residents in the dorms.

Beyond player management, he also works closely with campus partners to resolve issues as they arise, maintain financial responsibility, and ensure the program’s long-term success. Having been at PCC for nine years, Keefer values the strong campus relationships he’s built and works to maintain those partnerships alongside his players.

At the start of his coaching journey, Keefer set an ambitious goal: to build a roster of more than 15 student-athletes and win a national championship within three years. Last season, that vision came close to reality as the program grew to 18 student-athletes and competed for an NJCAAE Contenders' national championship in Valorant.

The goal for this season is to finish the job in Valorant and to contend for national titles in every game the program competes in. Looking ahead, Keefer aims to grow the program to 40 student-athletes by the end of year five, a promise he made to the college president and one that aligns with the original vision for esports at PCC.

The program has also steadily expanded its offerings, adding one to two game titles each year. Keefer hopes to continue that trend in the coming season.

“From day one, the NJCAAE has been so welcoming and helpful as a brand-new head coach. I would encourage any coach to get involved in the NJCAAE committees and get to know Matt and all the staff in the main office, as they want to help our programs succeed,” said Keefer. “I have enjoyed working with them all and been able to see how much the organization has grown over the past three years I have been involved. We do play in another league that is run out of Kansas, but our focus has and will always be the NJCAAE.”

Outside of esports, Keefer enjoys spending his free time watching movies, attending live theater and concerts, and spending time with friends. While it's hard to sum up his role in just one word, his student-athletes have described him as a leader and an inspiration.

Keefer credits his two dogs, Cosmo and Murray, for helping him maintain a healthy work-life balance. No matter how busy the season gets, they always make sure he finds time to head home, reset and recharge — ready to lead his team into the next match.