Anthony Affissio took over as head coach of Elmira College Esports program during the 2021 Spring Term, and begins his sixth and seventh full seasons during the 2024-25 academic year.
The Soaring Eagles compete as a team in various titles including Call of Duty, Rainbow Six: Siege, Fortnite, League of Legends, Overwatch 2, Super Smash Bros., and Valorant as well as multiple EA Sports titles.
During the Spring '22 season, the Soaring Eagles would put together strong runs in Call of Duty, securing the program's first ever conference championship; while also taking home a championship runner-up title in Fifa. In that same season, the Soaring Eagles boasted their winningest overall season, achieving 65% of all teams making the ECAC playoffs. In addition, Affissio helped six Soaring Eagles earn ECAC Player/Rookie of the Month accolades.
In his first year, Affissio led the Valorant team to the ECAC playoffs, it was the third straight season that the team qualified for postseason play. Affissio mentored two student-athletes from the Valorant team to ECAC Rookie of the Week and Player of the Week honors. Additionally, Ryan Hardy ‘23, a recent EC graduate and Super Smash Bros. player, was the first ever EC students athlete to win the Elmira College Scholar Athlete of the Year award in back-to-back academic years under Affissio’s direction.
Originally from Long Island, New York, Anthony graduated from Keuka College in the spring of 2008 with a Bachelor’s Degree in English & Organizational Communications. He lives in Horseheads with his large family that includes his amazing and supportive wife Jessika, five children, two dogs, six cats, and three aquariums.
An avid gamer since his youth, rocking old school 8-bits such as Super Mario and Legend of Zelda, Anthony still remains passionate about gaming. Currently, his favorite competitive titles are Overwatch 2, Apex:Legends, and the Call of Duty franchise.
He brings experience and passion to a growing Esports program and looks forward to his continued work of expanding the Elmira College Esports program to both the campus community and beyond. Currently, the Esports team boasts the largest player roster on campus.
