May. 17, 2019
CWU Game On! Acknowledges Honorary Consul of Spain Esteban
Central Washington University recently recognized the Honorary Consul of Spain, Luis Fernando Esteban, for helping create 
an international relationship between the world-renowned soccer organization the Real Madrid—through its foundation—with Microsoft and CWU.
The resulting partnership created CWU Game On!—a program for economically-disadvantaged youth. Game On! combines the excitement of world class soccer to build leadership and social skills and the secret language of computer coding with higher education attainment.
“We are fortunate to have had Consul Esteban as a partner from the very beginning of Game On!,” said Sharon O’Hare, CWU vice president for strategic enrollment management. “He believes in leveraging partnerships that help Washington’s youth and actively participates in making these efforts a reality.”
During a Game On! award recognition luncheon on Friday, April 26, university officials praised Honorary Consul Esteban for his endless contributions to Game On! and its students.
Esteban was instrumental in bringing the Real Madrid Foundation (RMF) into the partnership and his relationship created opportunities for RMF coaches to visit CWU each year. He was also influential in having two CWU Game On! staff attend the RMF training and coaching camp in Madrid, Spain, last November—the only coaches chosen from the U.S.
“I am honored to have received this CWU recognition and I will use it to keep our key Spanish partner, the Real Madrid Foundation, fully committed to this program, so together we can serve underrepresented students and grow the Game On! program during the next few years,” Consul Esteban said.
The recognition luncheon was part of a college exploratory day where Game On! brought 157 of its students from eight of its nine partner schools* to the Ellensburg campus. The middle- and high school students spent the day manipulating virtual reality technology, networking, touring campus, and being celebrated for their yearlong participation in the program.
The luncheon event also honored 18 Game On! students (2 from each school/site). Awards dedicated in the Consul’s name were presented to each recipient.
The Luis Fernando Esteban Game On! Outstanding Student Award was presented to the following students:
Jasmin Barrientos and Wyatt Burkell [Excel High School, Yakima]
Last Sunday, April 28, the most recent group of 200 Game On! participants attended a match courtesy of the Seattle Sounders FC. For many of the students this was their first exposure to Seattle and a professional soccer match.
“Having the world-recognized Game On! program at CWU is truly one of the greatest joys of my professional life,” Consul Esteban said. “To see the many young underserved Hispanic students participate in Game On! and join the pathway to success in college, makes all our time and efforts worthwhile.”
To donate to Game On! or learn more about the program contact Manuel Rodriguez, Game On! executive director at 509-963-2216, Manuel.Rodriguez@cwu.edu.
Media contact: Dawn Alford, Department of Public Affairs, 509-963-1484, Dawn.Alford@cwu.edu.