How Fisher College Built One of the Most Organized Esports Programs in North America
If you’ve ever wondered how a small college in Boston is winning major esports titles while managing over 250 students, meet Aaron Colaiacomo the guy making it all work behind the scenes.
As Assistant Director of Esports at Fisher College , Aaron’s been leading a program that combines competitive success, strong academics, and real community. And it’s working: Fisher’s teams are winning national titles, while students stay on track to graduate. So what’s their secret?
They’re building a full ecosystem. They’ve got:
Varsity and academy teams
Online and on-campus students
Coaches, managers, analysts, and even photographers
And somehow, it all runs smoothly. “We treat this like a real department,” Aaron says. “There are expectations, there are systems, and the students step up.”
When Fisher traveled to a major tournament in Texas this year, they brought 95 people, players, staff, and production crew. That meant organizing flights from 27 cities, managing food and hotels, and solving last-minute travel problems.
Despite rain delays and canceled flights, Fisher came home with five championships. “It was chaos, but worth it,” Aaron laughs. “The kids loved it. That’s what they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.”
Even with all the travel and competition, Fisher doesn’t let students slip on schoolwork. Every student signs a contract outlining how often they need to:
Practice
Check their emails
Stay in good academic standing
Aaron’s team monitors grades closely. “If you don’t hit the mark, you don’t play,” he says. “We’re here to win, but also to graduate.”
Unlike many schools, Fisher lets students compete while taking online classes. That means:
Older players and retired pros can stay in their own cities
Players with jobs, families, or tight budgets can still join
Traveling teams don’t miss as many assignments
“Some of our best players are online students,” Aaron explains. “And we build systems to keep them connected to the rest of the team.”
So why do students choose Fisher?
Players know what’s expected. They get structure, not chaos.
The admissions team works hand-in-hand with esports staff to help students get accepted and stay on track.
Everyone’s part of something bigger. From Smash players to Valorant captains, they share rooms, memories, and a commitment to grow on and off the server.
Fisher’s esports grads are coming back for their master’s degrees, and Aaron thinks that’s the next frontier. “We want students to leave here ready for jobs in esports or anywhere else,” he says. “That means developing leaders, not just players.”
If you want to build a successful collegiate esports program, look at what Fisher’s doing. Mix structure, support, and student-first values and the wins will follow.