Adrienne “Hesp” Lafond

Performance Coach | PhD student @FloridaTech | Esports Researcher | Val Coach | 2026 NACE Scholar of the Year and Student Leadership Award

[Adrienne “Hesp” Lafond @hesp3ria]

✨ Just casually defended my esports research project that was a year in the making… no biggie 😝🎓

[Adrienne “Hesp” Lafond @hesp3ria]

@boonedot_ Love to see this!!

[Adrienne “Hesp” Lafond @hesp3ria]

@NACE_ED Happy bday!!

[Florida Tech Esports @FLTechEsports]

Florida Tech Esports is looking for Overwatch & Smash Bros. coaches (remote or in person).

🐾 Apply now: link in bio 👉 details on the form

#Esports

[Adrienne “Hesp” Lafond @hesp3ria]

Really appreciate you saying this. The “first generation through the wall” part especially resonates. There are so many people who care deeply about the future of esports and have poured so much into getting it to where it is now.

News like this hurts, but it doesn’t take away from the work that’s already been done or the progress still ahead. This community has never been built on things being easy. 💪

[Adrienne “Hesp” Lafond @hesp3ria]

Hey Bradley! I’m with Behavioral Performance Coaching at Florida Tech, where we apply behavior analysis directly within collegiate esports to support player development and performance. A lot of what you’re describing (coaching, communication, skill development, and using behavioral science in competitive gaming) is right in our wheelhouse.

We also have graduate students gaining applied experience working directly with our esports teams. I’d be more than happy to connect and chat about what the BPC does, our graduate program, and what this path can look like!

[Adrienne “Hesp” Lafond @hesp3ria]

@NevinoWb @GortekG @CoachSirekis @FLTechEsports

[Ryan Brown @GortekG]

@FloridaTech @hesp3ria That's MY Scholar of the Year!!!

[Adrienne “Hesp” Lafond @hesp3ria]

@GortekG @FloridaTech This bit is never gunna die 💀😅😂

[Florida Tech Esports @FLTechEsports]

🎮 Florida Tech Esports Tryouts!

Aug. 29–30 | Esports Center

RL • Valorant • Overwatch • Smash • League

⚠️ Registration is required. You must receive an invitation to try out.

Register on Engage:
https://t.co/YRGyacPTJG

[Adrienne “Hesp” Lafond @hesp3ria]

@KabirBubna Yes (:

[Adrienne “Hesp” Lafond @hesp3ria]

@Dr_Kirb MY GOATTTTTT!!!! The baby adult is adultinggg!!

[Adrienne “Hesp” Lafond @hesp3ria]

@KabirBubna @MatthewJWatson HELLLL yesss. Love to see thhissss!!

[Kabir Bubna @KabirBubna]

Evidence led strategy 🤝 Applied Practice

Glad more teams are starting to find a place for this intervention.

[Adrienne “Hesp” Lafond @hesp3ria]

@lollexkk Congrats!!! Iconic photo fr too 😂

[Adrienne “Hesp” Lafond @hesp3ria]

@jacobisnachos @Chris_Funston @NACEsports @llo_0py @SMankuta @earlytoss “Didn’t throw up” is a funny way to say “gave a damn good presentation”

[Adrienne “Hesp” Lafond @hesp3ria]

@NevinoWb @Santa_Gragas @CoachRicashea @IceRoberson @ZachEphlin @sh0es216 @alyssaduran00 @Chris_Funston @SirerinHJ @chaseneukam @kyberts_ Dude you are out there collecting professional relationships like they’re Pokémon cards. What a champ!

[Adrienne “Hesp” Lafond @hesp3ria]

@Osiren_ Incredibly proud of you Mike!! Its far more rewarding to be a part of a team in innovation anyway ❤️

[Adrienne “Hesp” Lafond @hesp3ria]

@Orcamelone @Dr_Kirb Dooo itttt

[Adrienne “Hesp” Lafond @hesp3ria]

While I am honored to be up here and recognized, please don’t just look at me. These 4 other individuals are incredible leaders in their own ways!

Personally knowing @Dr_Kirb for the past few years, ik these are the students that are shaping the next steps! Congrats to all ❤️

[NACE @NACEsports]

The future of collegiate esports is bright.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 Selections are...

@lollexkk from @SaintsGamingCA
@hesp3ria from @FLTechEsports
@boonedot_ from @EsportsWSU
Alexander Navarro from @FullSailArmada
@Dr_Kirb from @CSUVikes_GG

Congratulations!

[Adrienne “Hesp” Lafond @hesp3ria]

@FloridaTechPrez @NACEsports @FLTechEsports Thank you!!