Categories: Sports

Ex-Redbird rushes to release VR sports app – News

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Aneel Gillan ’23, a former Redbird track and field decathlete, is making waves in his professional career after graduating from Illinois State University with a degree in computer science. Gillan, now employed by Dell in Austin, Texas, is not only excelling in his day job but also working on developing VRtual Playbook, a virtual reality sports software startup.

Gillan’s background in athletics has prepared him for the challenges of the business world. He credits his experience as a decathlete for teaching him the importance of mastering multiple skills, a lesson he now applies to his entrepreneurial endeavors.

Born in White Rock, British Columbia, Gillan was a national champion in the pentathlon and a high school state champion in multiple events. Despite being recruited by NCAA Division I programs, he chose Illinois State University for its balance of academics and athletics, where his sister was also a student-athlete.

During his time at Illinois State, Gillan not only excelled in track and field but also served as president of the Cybersecurity Club and student body president. His dedication to balancing academics and extracurricular activities paid off, leading to a successful internship with Dell and eventually a full-time position as a sales engineer.

Gillan’s passion for sports and technology converged when he and his business partner, Nachi Rotte, developed VRtual Playbook, a VR application aimed at enhancing the training and film-watching experience for athletes. Their innovative idea won them the Startup Showcase competition at Illinois State, providing them with funding to further develop and launch their product.

With a focus on expanding VRtual Playbook to football and partnering with Power Five athletics programs for beta testing, Gillan is poised to revolutionize the way athletes train and analyze their performance. His journey from the track to the tech world exemplifies the spirit of innovation and determination fostered at Illinois State University.

Team@GQN.