16 Feb 22

News

Dignitas

DR. LENNY D. WIERSMA JOINS DIGNITAS AS DIRECTOR OF PERFORMANCE TO OVERSEE ESPORTS ATHLETE AND COACHING EXCELLENCE

DR. WIERSMA TO ROLL OUT INNOVATIVE PERFORMANCE MODEL TO IMPROVE SHORT TERM PLAYER PERFORMANCE AND ENSURE LONG TERM CAREER SUCCESS

DR. LENNY D. WIERSMA JOINS DIGNITAS AS DIRECTOR OF PERFORMANCE TO OVERSEE ESPORTS ATHLETE AND COACHING EXCELLENCE

DR. WIERSMA TO ROLL OUT INNOVATIVE PERFORMANCE MODEL TO IMPROVE SHORT TERM PLAYER PERFORMANCE AND ENSURE LONG TERM CAREER SUCCESS

DR. WIERSMA, WITH OVER 45 PEER REVIEWED MANUSCRIPTS PUBLISHED, TO BRING EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH UNITED STATES NATIONAL SWIMMING AND WATER POLO TEAMS, AS WELL AS MULTIPLE DIVISION 1 COLLEGIATE ATHLETICS PROGRAMS, TO THE WORLD OF ESPORTS

Los Angeles, California, Feb. 16, 2022 -- Dignitas, the esports vertical of New Meta Entertainment, Inc. (NME), has today announced the signing of Dr. Lenny D. Wiersma as Director of Performance to oversee esports athletes and coaches. Wiersma, who holds a Doctorate of Sport Psychology and a Master of Science and was most recently a Professor of Sport and Performance Psychology at California State University in Fullerton, will be charged with rolling out innovative mental and physical performance programs for the organization.

After a 20-plus year career working in elite traditional sports, I am excited to help Dignitas lead the esports industry to apply scientific principles of performance,” Wiersma said. “While there are crossovers from traditional sport settings, esports has unique challenges. Cognitive demands and stress affect performers in a variety of ways, and can lead to poor performance, burnout, or general dissatisfaction with one’s playing career. We are rolling out a holistic performance model to create a positive, self-care supportive culture that addresses game-specific performance enhancement to result in short and long term player wellness.

Dr. Wiersma’s multifaceted performance model will focus on utilizing the technology and innovation of the Verizon 5G Gaming Facility that Dignitas inhabits in Los Angeles and the scientific principles of psychology, mechanics, team cohesion, sleep, nutrition and gameplay to serve as the foundation for individual and team success across the organization.

Unquestionably, the biggest hurdle that top esports athletes encounter is managing the mental game, especially in high pressure situations,” said Michael Prindiville, CEO of NME and Dignitas. “We are excited to work with Dr. Wiersma not only to manage the mental stress of esports but to provide our athletes with the armor to accelerate their performance during those moments. We are thrilled to continue innovating in the esports space and empower Dr. Wiersma to change the game when it comes to esports performance.

Dr. Wiersma brings a unique educational background, which includes a Doctorate of Sports Psychology and a Master of Science in Kinesiology, is perfectly suited to address the multifaceted aspects of esports performance. He has worked with a variety of both team and individual athletes that include United States Swimming and Water Polo teams, NCAA Division 1 teams, Olympic gold medalists, UFC fighters, and extreme sport athletes in the big wave surfing and extreme backcountry skier and snowboarder verticals. His extensive academic and applied experience, as well as over 45 peer reviewed publications, will help accelerate Dignitas athletes, coaches and teams to provide the next level of esports athlete care and understanding.

ABOUT NEW META ENTERTAINMENT, INC.: DIGNITAS & RAIDIANT

Since its formation in 2003, Dignitas has established itself as one of the most successful esports organizations in the world, amassing 18 World Championships across multiple gaming titles. In September 2016, Dignitas was acquired by the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), a diverse, global portfolio of sports and entertainment franchises and properties that includes the Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), New Jersey Devils (NHL) and more. Dignitas is the esports organization within New Meta Entertainment, Inc. (NME), a new media sports and entertainment company founded in May 2019 by an investor group that includes HBSE, Susquehanna International Group and Delaware North, among others. Dignitas currently fields teams in four of esports’ largest and most popular games: League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, VALORANT, and Rocket League. In 2021, NME launched Raidiant, a first-of-its-kind, esports team agnostic, platform to empower women in gaming through resources and events. With content studios and player wellness facilities in Greater New York City and Los Angeles, and infrastructure in Europe, NME is a global leader dedicated to esports athletes, digital influencers, and entertainment game-changers.

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