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Coach Spotlight - Verrick Foust

Mia White

Jan 20, 2025

Verrick Foust (he/him), head coach of the Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) esports program, leads a team of 16 players competing in nine different games. This season, the program is focused on fostering relationships and trust, with a significant number of freshmen joining the roster.


“This season has been about building relationships and trust, while developing teams across several games,” Foust said. “As someone who believes all students have the aptitude to belong and succeed, I wanted to ensure they have the opportunity to shine in what they’re good at and build lasting relationships along the way.”


Have any of your players' growth or stories stood out to you as a coach/coordinator? 


“Many of my students didn’t have friends at school initially, but through esports, they were able to leave college with a great group of friends. This is what esports is all about—creating connections and fostering a community,” said Foust, “I think the NJCAAE provides great support. As someone new to this league, when I have a question or two, the responses are quick compared to other leagues. The list of games is fairly large, and it continues to grow—chess was just recently added.”

One of the challenges Coach Foust faces in college esports is budgeting, a common issue for any sport. However, he works to ensure his students have everything they need, making the financial aspect less of a concern. Foust uses creative and fun strategies to save money and raise funds, making sure the program remains sustainable.


When asked about the most challenging part of his role as an esports coach, Foust acknowledges the time commitment. “Like most coaches, being an esports coach requires long hours,” he says. “I start my day at 6:30 a.m. and often don’t leave until 8:00 p.m., which means I spend a lot of time away from home. But the work is worth it, especially when it makes a positive impact on the students and their lives.”


When offering advice to young gamers, Foust emphasizes the importance of teamwork. "I tell some of my best students that you can’t do it all on your own—you have to work with your teammates," he says. "Games like Overwatch 2, Valorant, and League of Legends are very team-centric and require strong coordination. Just like in a business, if the team doesn’t work together, it will fail. Being adaptive, flexible, and willing to collaborate is key."


Foust also encourages students to remember the value of fun in esports. "Make sure you're having fun," he advises. "While esports is competitive, many of my students enjoy coming in to play with both new and old friends. For college students, it’s a great stress reliever and has helped many finish their degrees. A college education is important, and we work hard to ensure instructors are satisfied with the academic performance of our esports athletes."


As Coach Foust continues to guide his players through the challenges of collegiate esports, his focus remains on building a supportive and collaborative environment where students can thrive. His dedication to both their academic and personal growth has fostered a sense of community that extends beyond the game. For him, success isn’t just measured in wins, but in the lasting friendships students make along the way.


NJCAA Esports Alternate Logo

National Junior College Athletic

Association Esports

8801 J.M. Keynes Drive - Suite 450.

Charlotte, NC 28262

(719) 590-9788

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