Esports Staff at Full Sail Wins NACE Awards

Published Aug 12, 2025

Esports Staff at Full Sail Wins NACE Awards

Jacob Kaplan and Garrett Gajewski both received awards at the annual National Association of Collegiate Esports convention.

Full Sail’s Garrett Gajweski and Sari Kitelyn hold NACE awards on stage, smiling during the ceremony.

Full Sail University is proud to share that members of the Full Sail Armada esports program were recently given awards at the 2025 NACE convention.

The National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) is a nonprofit membership association organized by and on behalf of its member institutions. More than 750 schools participate in the association, making NACE the largest member association of varsity esports programs at colleges and universities across the United States.

At this year’s NACE convention, Full Sail staff members Jacob Kaplan and Garrett Gajewski were both recognized with awards.

Jacob continues to be one of our industry’s strongest advocates for student impact, and makes sure every event, partnership, and initiative has student benefit baked into the foundation.”

Jacob, Full Sail’s Director of Esports Business Strategy, received the Support Staff of the Year award. This accolade is for a non-program director who demonstrated outstanding leadership, mentorship, and contributions to their program’s success over the past year.

Jacob Kaplan named NACE’s 2025 Support Staff of the Year for Full Sail.

According to NACE, “Jacob Kaplan has dedicated so much of his time to creating unique opportunities for students and helping graduates find their place in the [esports] industry. He has a reputation for being a connector, which benefits students and programs everywhere. Jacob always ensures every collaboration is meaningful, student-focused, and sustainable. Jacob continues to be one of our industry’s strongest advocates for student impact, and makes sure every event, partnership, and initiative has student benefit baked into the foundation.”

Garrett is creating pathways for students to gain real experience in a competitive and evolving industry. His impact this year has been nothing short of transformational.”

Garrett, a Production Coordinator for Full Sail Armada (and a graduate of Full Sail’s Film degree program), received the Broadcaster of the Year award. The award recognizes a producer who captured thrilling moments on camera in the past academic year.

Garrett Gajweski named NACE’s 2025 Broadcast Producer of the Year for Full Sail.

Regarding Garrett, NACE said: “Over the past year, Garrett Gajewski has actively sought out new industry experiences and trainings – not for personal recognition, but to bring that knowledge directly back to share it with students. This year, he launched the official Armada Production Crew, an initiative offering esports broadcast training and education to all students, regardless of [their degree program]. Garrett is creating pathways for students to gain real experience in a competitive and evolving industry. His impact this year has been nothing short of transformational.”

Garrett also produced or contributed to several high-profile events over the past year, including the Justin Jefferson Madden Football Championship, the NACE Grand Finals, Full Sail’s Hall of Game, the XP League North American Finals, and more.

Learn more about Full Sail Armada and how to get involved.