James Borchers, MD, MPH, is a man who wears many hats. Borchers is the President and CEO of the U.S. Council for Athletes’ Health (USCAH), Chief Medical Officer for the Big Ten Conference, physician and Director for the Division of Sports Medicine at the Wexner Medical Center, and finally, a Professor of Clinical Family Medicine and Sports Medicine at the OSU College of Medicine.

Borchers previously spent 18 years as a team physician for the Ohio State Athletics Department, including five as the head team physician and eight working with the football program.

Are there any challenges that come with being in your role?

“Helping organizations learn how to effectively prioritize health, safety, and wellbeing for their constituents,” said Borchers. Borchers explained that the best part of his career is being able to affect the ability to emphasize athlete health, safety, and well-being as well as improve sports for athletes of all ages and levels.

What are your thoughts on esports and the growth of the industry?

“Esports offers a modern outlet for a different class of athletes to engage in their activity with their peers and recognize that the growth of this industry puts a greater focus and need for health, safety, and well-being for all esports athletes,” said Borchers.

How do you feel about your recent partnership with the NJCAAE?

“I’ve known about NJCAAE for about 2 years. It’s clear that NJCAAE is an organization that prioritizes inclusion and participation,” said Borchers, “I also feel that it’s an organization looking to be comprehensive in its approach to sports and one that will continue to offer opportunities to participate holistically as esports continues to grow.”

The recent NJCAAE and USCAH partnership has both parties excited to collaborate and improve the esports industry one step at a time. 

“We will begin with providing mental health resources and creating health, safety, and well-being programming for esports athletes,” said Borchers.

In the near and distant future, Borchers plans to continue being an advocate for athletes of all ages and levels. When Borchers is not changing the lives of many athletes, he likes spending time with his family at their lake place in Minnesota.

Make sure to check out https://uscah.com/ for more info on the organization and team!