Iona University Becomes First Official Collegiate Partner of HADO USA, Pioneering Augmented Reality Esports on Campus
New Rochelle, N.Y. – Iona University is proud to announce its partnership with HADO USA, becoming the first official collegiate partner of this groundbreaking augmented reality (AR) physical esport. As a leader in academic innovation and student engagement, Iona will serve as a primary pilot site for HADO in the United States, offering students a dynamic new way to engage in competitive gaming while promoting health, wellness and technological advancement.
HADO, a Japanese-born technosport, blends augmented reality with physical activity, representing a new frontier in gaming. To play, competitors wear head-mounted AR displays and motion-tracking wrist sensors to launch energy balls and deploy shields in fast-paced, team-based battles. Think of it as dodgeball meets augmented reality, where strategy, agility and teamwork lead to victory.
“We are thrilled to partner with HADO USA and bring this innovative technology to Iona University,” said Joseph Stabile, dean of Iona’s School of Arts & Science. “This collaboration not only enriches our students’ experience but also highlights Iona’s commitment to staying at the forefront of emerging technologies and interdisciplinary learning.”
Beyond gameplay, students will have the opportunity to engage with HADO through academic channels, including programming, STEM initiatives, and strategic esports management. The University currently has a fully operational HADO court, capable of hosting six players at a time, with games played on stage in Murphy Auditorium. Plans are already underway to integrate HADO into student clubs, intramural sports, community engagement and academic coursework.
“HADO crosses the boundary between sports and computer gaming,” said Shane Vander Kooi, founder and CEO of HADO USA. “Iona University’s leadership in this space as our first collegiate partner will not only help us grow in the U.S. but will also set the standard for how augmented reality can be used in both competitive and educational environments.”
As part of this partnership, HADO USA will explore opportunities to build a national HADO league and foster international collaborations, allowing Iona students to compete against teams from around the world while mentoring and supporting team development in the K-12 scholastic space.
Iona students will also have the opportunity to rise to the challenge and potentially represent the United States in global competition. This opens the door for students to gain competitive international experience while helping pioneer the future of physical esports on college campuses.
HADO will also be featured in various campus events, including Accepted Students Day and Gael Gates, giving prospective and current students—as well as faculty and families—a chance to experience the game firsthand. The game’s unique inclusivity allows participants of all ages and skill levels to compete side by side, fostering community building and teamwork.
For more information about HADO USA at Iona University, including opportunities to participate or collaborate, please contact Gregory Cassiere, esports coordinator in Iona’s School of Arts & Science, at gcassiere@iona.edu or (914) 980-4283.
About HADO
HADO is the world’s first augmented reality (AR) technosport, blending computer gaming with traditional sport in a unique, immersive way. Active in 40+ countries and played by millions worldwide, HADO offers a fast-paced, inclusive gaming experience that merges cutting-edge AR technology with the excitement of sports competition.
HADO USA, operated by Technology Sports Inc., holds the exclusive rights to develop and expand the HADO market throughout the United States. The company is committed to growing HADO as a competitive esport, building partnerships with universities, schools, and entertainment venues to expand access to this revolutionary sport.
For additional information, please contact Shane Vander Kooi, founder and CEO, HADO USA, at shane@hado-usa.com or (561) 779-9666. Learn more about HADO USA at www.hado-usa.com.
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of more than 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 5 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2024.” Iona also offers a fully online MBA program for even greater flexibility. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with one of the nation’s top hospitals. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.