esports Alanis 2/10/25

Overview of Esports Program in Schools

• Esports gaming is an emerging area within educational settings, offering a structured competitive environment for students.

Competition Structure

• Schools typically compete against each other from their own campus, utilizing the internet for gameplay.

• Physical attendance may only be necessary for larger events or championships.

• UIL involvement in esports is not formalized yet, but schools are working towards creating structures to keep students accountable.

Gaming Competitions

• Weekly competitions are available, with students selecting the games in which they want to compete.

  • Example games include:

    • Mario Kart (Thursdays)

    • Rocket League (Wednesdays)

• Teams require a minimum number of players, often around four to five.

• Students can be part of multiple teams.

Unique Positioning within the District

• No other high school in the district currently has an esports program.

• The unique positioning provides an opportunity to lead and establish a competitive culture in esports.

Network and Infrastructure

• Current network does not adequately support competitive gaming; however, alternative solutions are being explored.

• Personal internet connections are suggested for controlling access and ensuring a stable connection for students.

• Consultations with IS personnel have led to potential avenues for improving connectivity through grants or funding.

Costs and Resources

• Cost for internet access is approximately $35-$40 a month, covered by informal arrangements or personal funding initially.

• Consoles such as Nintendo Switch may be provided for free through partnerships with esports organizations like Play Versus.

  • This grants students access to practice equipment while competing in events.

Student Engagement and Accountability

• Contracts will be drafted to outline expectations for student participation, including academic requirements for involvement.

• The program aims to facilitate inclusivity, engaging students who may not typically participate in traditional sports or fine arts.

Importance of Collaboration

• Parents will be informed, and there will be clear communication regarding the program and student commitments.

• A sample contract is provided by Play Versus to assist in establishing ground rules for the team.

Future Plans

• Seeking to survey students about their interests for game selection and participation.

• Aspiration to create an ongoing esports program that draws students in and fosters new relationships among participants.