Esports In Schools: The New Varsity Sport?

Introduction: The Evolution of Student Athletics

School athletics have always played a central role in the educational experience. From the earliest days of physical education programs to state championships and school pride events, sports have helped shape identity, community, and character development for young people. But today, a major transformation is underway—one that doesn’t take place on a field or court, but in a digital arena.

Esports, or organized competitive video gaming, is now finding its footing in schools as a legitimate varsity-level activity. Far from being just a pastime, esports is a structured and highly competitive endeavor, complete with training regimens, coaching staff, leagues, and even scholarships. And while some still resist the notion of equating video games with athletics, the rise of scholastic esports is undeniable.

So, what’s driving this change? How are schools implementing esports programs? What are the educational, social, and ethical implications of introducing competitive gaming into school systems? And most importantly—should esports be considered the new varsity sport?

The Growth of Esports in Education

The global esports market has grown at an astonishing rate, with revenues projected to exceed $1.8 billion by the end of 2025. Fueling this surge is a generation of digital natives who not only play games but also watch professional matches, follow esports influencers, and dream of careers in gaming.

In response, educational institutions are stepping in to channel that passion into structured, meaningful activities. According to the North America Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF), more than 3,000 schools across the United States now offer esports programs. These range from casual clubs to fully-fledged varsity teams, some even recognized by state athletic associations.

Beyond the U.S., countries like Canada, the U.K., South Korea, and Australia are embracing scholastic esports. In these countries, esports is being used not only as a competitive outlet but also as a teaching tool in STEM, digital literacy, media production, and entrepreneurship.

The pandemic accelerated this trend. With traditional sports halted during lockdowns, many schools turned to online platforms to keep students engaged. Esports filled that void perfectly—offering competition, social connection, and skill-building in a remote format.

From Gamers to Athletes: What Makes Esports a “Sport”?

One of the most persistent criticisms of scholastic esports is the question: Is it really a sport? Skeptics argue that esports lacks the physical demands traditionally associated with athletic competition. But modern definitions of sport have evolved to include mental dexterity, strategic execution, and intense training, all of which esports encompasses.

Esports athletes often undergo rigorous preparation:

Daily practice sessions to improve reaction time and coordination.
Strategic meetings to analyze game footage and review tactics.
Mental conditioning to improve focus, reduce stress, and enhance team dynamics.
Physical health routines, including hand exercises, posture training, and even physical fitness to prevent repetitive strain injuries and burnout.

Many traditional sports also rely on mental stamina more than brute strength—consider chess, archery, or motorsports. In this broader definition, esports fits the bill. And with national and international competitions, standardized rules, professional coaching, and sizable fanbases, esports operates within the same competitive framework as football or basketball.

The Structure of School Esports Programs

Unlike casual gaming, school esports programs are highly organized and emphasize teamwork, discipline, and academic accountability. Here’s a breakdown of how these programs are structured:

1. Tryouts and Team Selection

Students often need to audition for a spot on the team. Coaches may look at:

Win/loss records in ranked matches
Communication skills
Strategic thinking
Ability to function in a team setting

Tryouts mimic those for traditional sports and are often just as competitive.

2. Practice and Training

Teams meet several times a week for structured practice. These sessions include:

In-game drills
Scrimmages against other teams
Tactical reviews using replays
Physical exercises to combat strain injuries

Time management is crucial, and practices are usually limited to ensure students maintain academic balance.

3. Coaching and Mentorship

Many programs hire faculty sponsors or even professional coaches who understand both the technical and emotional needs of players. Coaches focus on:

Game strategies
Emotional regulation under pressure
Leadership development
Conflict resolution within teams

4. Competitive Leagues and Tournaments

Teams often compete in state-sanctioned leagues like:

PlayVS
HSEL (High School Esports League)
NASEF

These leagues follow rules around age groups, team composition, match scheduling, and even drug policies. Winners may qualify for regional or national championships.

5. Academic Requirements

Like other varsity athletes, esports players must:

Maintain a minimum GPA
Follow school codes of conduct
Balance gaming with schoolwork

This helps foster a healthy relationship between gaming and academics.

Benefits of Esports in Schools

1. Engagement and Student Retention

Students who might feel alienated from traditional athletics often find their tribe in esports. This increases:

School attendance
Extracurricular participation
Positive mental health outcomes

Many students credit esports with giving them a reason to stay in school or apply themselves academically.

2. Pathways to STEM and Tech Careers

Esports is a gateway into industries such as:

Game development
Network engineering
Cybersecurity
Graphic design
Broadcast journalism
Event management

Schools are using esports as a cross-disciplinary tool, integrating it into computer science, digital art, and business courses.

3. Teamwork and Soft Skill Development

Esports isn’t just about individual performance. Successful teams require:

Clear communication
Trust
Leadership
Conflict resolution

These are critical life and career skills.

4. Accessibility and Inclusion

Esports levels the playing field for:

Students with physical disabilities
Neurodiverse learners
Those uncomfortable with traditional sports

This makes it one of the most inclusive extracurriculars in modern education.

5. College Scholarships and Recognition

Over 200 U.S. colleges and universities now offer esports scholarships, with some institutions providing full-ride offers. Schools that nurture esports talent provide students with a direct pipeline to higher education and professional careers.

Challenges and Controversies

Despite the growing popularity of scholastic esports, several challenges persist.

1. Excessive Screen Time

Parents and health professionals worry about:

Vision issues
Poor posture
Reduced physical activity
Sleep disruption

Well-managed esports programs mitigate these risks by setting time limits, requiring physical fitness, and integrating wellness education.

2. Game Content and Violence

Some games contain graphic violence or mature themes. Schools typically avoid titles like:

Call of Duty
Fortnite
Valorant

Instead, they favor:

Rocket League
League of Legends
Minecraft
Super Smash Bros.

This selection balances competitive depth with age-appropriate content.

3. Equity and Access

High-performance gaming PCs, monitors, and peripherals can be expensive. Schools in lower-income areas may struggle to:

Build esports labs
Afford travel for tournaments
Pay for entry into leagues

Public-private partnerships, sponsorships, and government grants are helping address this gap, but it remains a significant barrier.

4. Balancing Academics

There’s concern that gaming will distract from academics. However, structured programs often tie participation to GPA and conduct, making gaming a reward for responsibility, not a substitute for it.

Gender Representation and Diversity

The esports industry is often criticized for being male-dominated and lacking diversity. Scholastic programs offer a unique opportunity to change that narrative early.

Co-ed teams and mixed-gender tournaments are becoming more common.
Programs like Girls Who Game promote female inclusion through mentorship, workshops, and leadership training.
Schools are implementing anti-toxicity policies to address sexism, racism, and bullying in gaming spaces.

Creating inclusive esports environments can empower underrepresented groups and create cultural shifts that ripple into the professional esports world.

Real-World Success Stories

Many schools have already seen remarkable success integrating esports:

Whitman High School (Maryland): Their varsity esports team won the state title in Rocket League, gaining regional recognition and new student interest in tech careers.
Roosevelt High School (California): Saw a 40% improvement in GPA among esports players and reported increased student confidence and school engagement.
Singapore’s Ministry of Education: Introduced esports courses with modules on ethics, teamwork, and career readiness, integrating gaming into a broader educational vision.

These stories demonstrate the transformative potential of scholastic esports when implemented thoughtfully.

The Business of Scholastic Esports

Esports is not just a student activity—it’s becoming an educational business model:

Sponsorships from companies like Dell, Intel, and Logitech provide funding, gear, and exposure.
Streaming rights and digital content creation help schools monetize events and build media programs.
Curriculum tie-ins offer certifications in broadcasting, coding, and network management.

For example, some districts partner with esports platforms to develop CTE (Career and Technical Education) pathways, allowing students to graduate with certifications that make them job-ready.

A Global Perspective

Countries around the world are developing esports educational models:

South Korea: Home to some of the world’s top esports pros, offers esports academies and high school leagues.
Sweden: Hosts scholastic esports tournaments with public funding.
China: Has invested millions into esports education, including bachelor’s degrees in esports management.

These international programs often integrate esports with ethics, media literacy, and entrepreneurial thinking, highlighting how deeply gaming is tied to the future economy.

The Future of Scholastic Esports

Looking forward, we can expect several trends:

1. Curriculum Integration

Esports will not just be an extracurricular—it will enter classrooms through:

Game design classes
Digital citizenship education
Storytelling and media production

2. Credentialing and Professional Pathways

Students will earn:

Broadcast certifications
Coaching credentials
Game development badges

This aligns esports with other vocational tracks like theater, journalism, or music.

3. Regulatory Growth

We’ll likely see:

More state-sanctioned leagues
Standardized eligibility requirements
Health and safety protocols

4. Educational Research

More academic studies will emerge measuring the cognitive, social, and behavioral impact of esports, guiding future policy.

Conclusion

Esports in schools represents a fundamental shift in how we define talent, competition, and educational opportunity. It’s not about replacing traditional sports—it’s about expanding the definition of what a varsity sport can be in a digital age.

By embracing esports, schools have a chance to engage more students, build career pathways, foster inclusion, and innovate in teaching and learning. Like any new frontier, it brings challenges—but also immense potential.

The controller has joined the clipboard, and in schools across the world, the game is just beginning.

ByJarrett Adwell

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