Aaron Blackman

@donovanscience Same for Smash!

The not so glamorous life of an esports coach, grinding Mario Kart on our new accounts to unlock all of the kart parts before the season starts.

I've been really excited to show this guy off, here's the Human Torch from Marvel United! acblackman.wordpress.com/2026/02/06/pai… #miniaturepainting #marvel #boardgames

Here's my #fourinfebruary for 2026! acblackman.wordpress.com/2026/02/03/fou…

Here's number 3 in the Fantastic Four series: Reed Richards, aka Mister Fantastic from Marvel United! acblackman.wordpress.com/2026/01/30/pai… #miniaturepainting #marvel #boardgames #miniature

The Doane Esports program is still recruiting for Fall 2026! We offer athletic scholarships to players as well as students interested in: -Commentating -Livestream Production -Social Media -Graphic Design Message us here, or apply today! doane.edu/admission-and-…

Three weeks in a row, I'm sticking to this schedule! My next post looks at my painted version of The Invisible Woman from Marvel United: acblackman.wordpress.com/2026/01/16/pai… #miniaturepainting #marvel #boardgames

It's Figure Friday! I know I changed the title a bit, but the important part is that I'm back with one of my favorite painted minis to date: The Lizard! acblackman.wordpress.com/2026/01/09/pai… #miniaturepainting #marvel #boardgames

I forgot to post...but I'm live playing video games for 24 hours raising money for @ChildrensNE with @ExtraLife4Kids ! Stop in to say hi, donate, or share if you can! twitch.tv/flagg05

@HSTopDecks Gelbin of Tomorrow looks really fun!

We're giving away two Standard #Hearthstone Across the Timeways Pre-Purchase Bundles (provided by Blizzard). To enter: - Follow Us - Repost - Leave a comment with your favorite new card! (You can find them here: #dk-cards" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">hearthstonetopdecks.com/across-the-tim…) The giveaway ends on Friday (October 31).

@John_Price42 No worries! And yes, that'd be great to play at some point.

@acblackman Sadly, I will not be making it this year :( If I was going to be there, I definitely have a commander deck or two on me. We'll have to find a time to play sometime soon.

Two important questions for @John_Price42: will you be at NAECAD? And if so, will you be bringing a commander deck?

@CoachRicashea @John_Price42 Yes!!

@acblackman @John_Price42 I WILL BE BRINGING ONE

@ArgyHotS My brother got one as well and I'm jealous!

I’m loving the final fantasy mtg set. Pulled this gorgeous card today and I am in awe of the amazing artwork.

As we wrap up the 24-25 season, we wanted to highlight our MVP this year: Caleb Panning, a first-year Super Smash Bros. player from Wilber, NE! Caleb had 107 of our 238 knockouts this season, which is a stellar 45% contribution for a four-person team. Congratulations Caleb!

@ColePrescott_ @llo_0py @DoaneEsports Both are from Spectrum. I believe 12 of our desks have Summit 2233 monitor arms and the other 8 are Titan.

@llo_0py I'm a big fan of the arms @acblackman has over at @DoaneEsports

Do any of my mutual Director friends have monitor arms in your esports facilities? I need recomendations!

@IKahler15 That's how my brother got his as well!

Bro I refreshed Walmart, added it to my cart and checked out immediately. Its just too easy #NintendoSwitch2

@ArgyHotS I'll see you there Argy!

Going to St Louis in June for #NAECAD. I’m excited to attend my first esports conference since working BlizzCon in 2018 but it’s going to be a completely different experience. Hope to meet a lot of amazing people in the industry.

@coachalne This is something we are currently running into as a second-year program. I have 5 teams spread across four different titles, so we have matches nearly every weeknight. Throw practices and reschedules in and our schedule is a mess for several months in both fall and spring.

I honestly think there is a super apparent self-inflicted wound that is holding collegiate esports back and its year-long seasons. "But my students want to play all year long". I know. I would love to just play video games all day. But that is not how we turn students into professionals. Not only does it hold students back, it forces staff into unsustainable roles. Lets start with some simple math for why this doesn't work for students. A proper schedule for students should average: 6.5hrs/day for class and studying 8hrs/day for sleep, getting ready, shower and hygiene .5hrs/day for exercise/ physical activity 2.5hrs/day for breakfast,lunch,dinner 5 hrs/day for esports (average of 3hrs/day for practice, 4hrs a week for tournaments, matches, and prep, and 2hrs/day for player development on their own time) That leaves...1.5hrs a day. 1.5hrs a day for personal time, friends, family, relationships, office hours, commuting, and developing additional skills outside of the classroom, And virtually cuts them off from being able to work other roles in the esports program that help with career skills, semester internships, part-time jobs, volunteering, and other tasks, skills that will help them land a job after graduating. That schedule does not work without cutting out sleep, exercise, or allowing half-baked effort into esports. Now what about staff? Virtually every staff member in esports needs more time for recruiting, developing work-study and broadcasting programs, growing the program's presence online, fundraising, sponsorships and community engagement, summer camps, managing or growing staff, working with students, etc. Yet most of our time is tied up into endless matches and scrims. That is how it should work - for 4-5months, not a whole year. We are building a new category of sports, we can not successfully host game days and practices every day for multiple teams and multiple games with no amount of real effort or importance being put on those games. So instead, practice, scrims, and game day have all just blended to mean the same thing which is a huge problem. The average college program with 1 staff member is hosting as many matches a year as an entire athletics department of 8 sports. We need to find more time to make match days more impactful. More time preparing students for life after graduation. More time developing a meaningful, high value single season into a championship. Less time hosting endless matches. Less time preventing students from having an opportunity for individual growth.

For the next 24 hours I'll be streaming video games and raising money for @ChildrensNE! It's my 9th year and I'm so excited to be back! Stop on by to chat, donate, or feel free to share! extra-life.org/participant/53… @ExtraLife4Kids #ExtraLife #ExtraLifeGameDay

@HSReplayNet @Blizzard_Ent Probably Warlock!

Enter to win 1 of 4 The Great Dark Beyond Standard Pre-purchase Bundles! 🌟🚀 Thanks to @Blizzard_Ent for the prizes for the community! ➡️Follow 🔁RT 💬Which class are you launching your first starship with? Click here for more ways to enter: gleam.io/Phjbm/hsreplay…