Riley Long on NACE's Role in Shaping Competitive Collegiate Gaming
Riley Long, MBA brings a blend of hands-on esports experience and organizational leadership to his role at National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) . A former competitive Call of Duty player turned team manager and brand builder (Armada Esports), Riley transitioned into collegiate esports in 2019. Reflecting on his journey, he says: “It was just the marriage of my two greatest passions” competitive gaming and collegiate community building.
Since Riley joined NACE leadership and became Executive Director, the association has focused on building structure around varsity-level competition. He emphasizes that NACE requires every team to have a staff sponsor, a campus facility, and to play in-person competitions with full-time students in good academic standing. This emphasis ensures positive student outcomes.
With membership across large public universities and small private colleges, NACE programs vary widely, some focus on recruitment, others on wellness and student engagement. “Figure out your institution’s mission and align your esports program accordingly,” Riley advises. For example, a varsity team under athletics might be enrollment-driven, while one under recreation might start as a club and feed students upward.
Riley describes his daily life as “meetings from 9 to 5,” coordinating leadership groups, recruiting new institutions, and planning the national convention. He leads key committees on eligibility, standards, and policy and maintains dialogue with industry partners to drive NACE’s growth.
Currently backing six core titles like Rocket League and League of Legends, NACE is cautious about adopting emerging games. “We’re not the first to the table… we take that decision very seriously,” says Riley, referencing new titles like Marvel Rivals. The goal is protecting institutional investment while giving students competitive opportunities.
To rise within NACE, Riley recommends:
Leveraging the “Intent to Compete” and eligibility certification processes to ensure roster compliance.
Aligning program goals with university objectives, whether they center on student wellness, retention, or enrollment.
Collecting meaningful data like graduation rates, retention, competitive results to tell your story effectively at higher levels and during accreditation.
At the national convention, “any member can propose changes and then it goes to a vote,” demonstrating institutional empowerment and democratic decision-making.
Riley is optimistic about collegiate esports becoming a primary path to pro especially as traditional Tier-2 esports struggles with financial sustainability. He believes colleges offer holistic development unlike the unstable, single-title focus of many pro feeder teams.
In the next three years, he hopes the ecosystem will offer clearer hierarchy, better fan access, and standardized structures comparable to traditional college sports.
“We need more clarity for people who aren’t endemic to our space,” Riley emphasizes.
Riley shared that NACE’s awards are a recognition of the effort required to run varsity esports: academic eligibility, administrative coordination, and competitive success. Having award winners appear on-stream before their national finals is just one way NACE honors that dedication.