The National Junior College Athletic Association Esports (NJCAAE) connects gamers, coaches, and administrators at two-year, technical, and community colleges worldwide. But for the Kershaw family of Wyoming, it has also brought them closer together.

Coach John Kershaw leads the Laramie County Community College (LCCC) esports team, which includes his daughters, Victoria and Kiara. John, who has also coached his daughters in soccer, said he enjoys the unique experience of working with them in esports.

“We have a good relationship where we can turn off the family switch when it's time to compete and switch back to being father and daughters afterward,” John said.

While the Kerkshaws all share a love for gaming, they are also dedicated students. Victoria is studying marketing at LCCC, while Kiara is pursuing nursing. John, meanwhile, is working toward a doctorate in Business Administration with an emphasis in Data Analytics at Grand Canyon University.

Victoria's main game is Fortnite, and Kiara enjoys a variety of games, including Rainbow Six Siege, Fortnite, Assassin’s Creed, Call of Duty, and the occasional Roblox.

When asked how they got involved in esports and why it’s important to them, both sisters shared their thoughts:

“I got involved with esports because I was competitive in Fortnite, which made me want to play at the collegiate level,” Victoria said. “Playing with my family is one of the best things I could have asked for. It’s fun, but also competitive. The NJCAAE is a great program that offers a lot of opportunities for those who want to take gaming seriously.”

Kiara shared similar thoughts, explaining, “I got involved because I enjoy the competitiveness and the chance to play against people who take it seriously too. Playing with my family is the greatest thing I can do. It’s fun to play with my sister and have my dad as a coach again. It’s very different from playing on a women’s soccer team. The atmosphere is friendlier, and we support each other, no matter which game we’re playing.”

John reflected on the experience of coaching his daughters in esports: “Having two of my daughters on the team is incredible as they compete and grow together. The NJCAAE is the place to be for junior college esports. It’s giving students opportunities they might never have had to be collegiate athletes. I’m excited to be part of it as it grows into the powerhouse I know it can be.”

John places a strong emphasis on practice, encouraging his team to replicate real-game conditions as much as possible. Whether through scrims or playing with the same handicaps—such as duos versus quads—he believes in sharpening skills through consistent effort. “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend,” he often says, fostering both a competitive and supportive environment. His teams regularly scrimmage against other teams in the league, aiming not only to improve themselves but also to help others grow. While defeating rivals is satisfying, John’s ultimate goal is to strengthen the entire esports community.

“There is a whole litany of stereotypes that surround gamer culture, from the ‘angry gamer nerd’ to ‘girls can’t game’ and ‘gamers live in their mom’s basement,’” John said. “Our team is proof that those stereotypes are far from the truth. We have a ‘girl gamer’ who captained her Rainbow Six Siege team to two national championships. We have players who own their own homes, work full-time jobs, and still compete at a high level. We have players who are active in their communities, helping build people up whenever they can. Esports is often dismissed as ‘just a video game,’ but I can assure you that the Golden Eagles are the hardest workers in the room. The teamwork required for a Valorant team or Warzone squad is no different than what’s needed to succeed in soccer or basketball. It’s time the world recognizes that.”

The Kershaw family’s journey through esports highlights the power of passion, competition, and family. For John, coaching the LCCC esports team is about more than just leadership—it’s about sharing the experience with his daughters and creating an environment where everyone can thrive. Whether through practice, scrimmages, or supporting one another, the Kershaws show that in esports, as in life, it’s not just about winning—it’s about lifting each other up.