HVCC Athletics Names Jack Vignone as Head eSports Coach

CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu; (518) 629-6898 or (518) 416-2137
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Hudson Valley Community College has announced the hiring of Jack Vignone as the new head coach of the college's eSports program. Vignone brings nearly a decade of experience in competitive gaming, coaching, tournament organization, and media production to the Vikings program.

Vignone most recently served as Head Coach of eSports at The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY, where he led the program from 2021 to 2024. Under his leadership, Saint Rose experienced notable growth in player development, team performance, and community engagement. Vignone played a critical role in building a competitive culture, implementing personalized training programs, and coordinating successful recruiting and fundraising efforts.

"I am very excited to join Hudson Valley Community College and continue building a notably competitive and inclusive Esports program," said Jack Vignone. "Intentional teamwork, effective communication, critical thinking, and strategic application are just a few the skills we are looking to instill in our players to help them grow as both strong competitors in game, and talented individuals in their future careers."

In addition to his coaching experience, Vignone has spent the last nine years immersed in the eSports ecosystem—as a competitor, tournament organizer, caster, and event coordinator. He currently serves as a Tournament Organizer for Claim to Fame Entertainment, where he has managed logistics, sponsorships, and promotional strategies for numerous large-scale gaming events across the Capital Region.

Vignone holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from the University at Albany. His wide-ranging game knowledge spans titles such as Super Smash Bros., Overwatch 2, League of Legends, Rocket League, Apex Legends, Fortnite, and Pokémon VGC, among others.

"Jack brings a deep understanding of eSports, strong leadership skills, and a passion for student development," said Justin Hoyt, Director of Athletics at Hudson Valley. "We are confident he will elevate our program and help our student-athletes thrive competitively and academically."

The Hudson Valley eSports program continues to grow rapidly, offering student-athletes a chance to compete at a high level in a range of games while gaining valuable experience in teamwork, strategy, and digital media.

Current and incoming HVCC students interested in joining the competitive eSports program this Fall, please contact Coach Vignone (j.vignone@hvcc.edu or c2ftarzan on Discord) or assistant coach, Liam Walsh (l.walsh@hvcc.edu or walsshh on Discord) for the latest information on the upcoming season.