Texas Wesleyan University, located on a 75-acre campus in Ft. Worth, Texas, cleverly juxtaposes the state’s boast about everything being bigger in Texas by promoting itself instead as 'smaller, smarter.' That versatility and intelligence was displayed admirably this past September 5th and 6th when Texas Wesleyan University hosted the NFL Pro Day Experience.

The NFL Pro Day Experience is an educational event featuring former NFL players, NFL Coaches, technology experts and sports professionals giving high school students a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the rapidly changing landscape of opportunities available to them in sports and technology.

Over the course of two days, a thousand Fort Worth area high school students were coached in teamworking skills, brain health, nutrition, all while being exposed to new technologies likely to impact future professional careers. This year, though, esports took on a major role in the NFL Alumni Pro Day Experience.

There were sessions dedicated to “What is Esports” “Lessons Learned Through Esports” and face-to-face sessions with Texas Wesleyan University’s esports team: the Texas Wesleyan Rams. Inven Global joined forces with the NFL Alumni Pro Day Experience to assure students of first-hand, professional guidance into the world of esports. Nick D’Orazio, Eric Gindele, and yours truly covered myriad esports topics in intense 20-minute intervals.

Hosting the NFL Alumni Pro Day Experience at Texas Wesleyan University was Eugene Friers, Director of Esports and Gaming. Under his guidance, the entire Texas Wesleyan crew did yeoman’s work in assuring the success of the venture. The event was held in the brand-new Martin University Center which made for facile flow and top-notch technology.

ZZ Top has long been known as “That Little Ole Band from Texas,” but Texas Wesleyan University wears the mantle of that “little ole university in Ft. Worth” with a growing profile in esports and education.