The sounds of clicking keyboards and cheering teenagers fill the small computer lab at Madras High School in Central Oregon. It’s 3:30 p.m., and after-school extracurriculars are in session. Among the smattering of sports teams and art clubs, a newer activity is taking the school—and many others—by storm.
Esports—short for electronic sports—is a fast-growing activity in which students play competitively against each other in a variety of games.
For the past two decades, esports has made significant inroads in high schools and colleges across America, including those in rural communities.
More schools are developing esports programs as the global esports market continues to skyrocket. It is valued at more than $1 billion.
In some rural areas, access to high-speed internet can be a barrier for students wanting to play online games. Schools are combating this issue by creating esports arenas with dedicated servers and computers for playing online games collaboratively. With more spaces for students to play online games together, esports has also become more accessible.
Madras High School Esports
As the bell rings signaling the end of classes for the day, Beau Herman, English teacher and esports coach at Madras High School, gathers his students for opening remarks. He reminds them of any upcoming events and announces an exciting new sponsorship with Best Buy that will equip the team with more advanced hardware and gaming essentials.
The students settle into their regular stations and begin practicing for upcoming tournaments. On one side of the room, a screen projects two students facing off in Super Smash Bros., a popular fighting game series by Nintendo. In another corner of the room, players huddle around their monitors, beginning a new round of League of Legends, a multiplayer online battle arena video game. Other students gather to watch their classmates face off against each other.
“It’s a community for them where they can be with like-minded individuals who play video games, and they don’t feel ostracized because that’s what they like to do,” Beau says.
Many interests and gaming styles are represented in the room full of students. For an otherwise solitary activity, the esports club has cultivated a strong cooperative atmosphere among students.
Madras High School’s esports club is an ongoing development. Started in 2019 by Beau, the group has expanded significantly since then and continues to see growth.
“Last year, I was averaging 30 kids, and I didn’t lose anybody,” Beau says. “And the incoming freshmen—
I had 24 more sign up, so I don’t even have enough space now in my computer room to house everybody.”
Beau holds the title of Oregon’s first PlayVS super coach for his commitment to the esports team. The designation by PlayVS, the leading high school esports league, celebrates coaches who go above and beyond for their teams.
With a focus on mental and physical health in the esports club, Beau has been able to positively affect the lives of his students. During his time as coach, he’s seen improvements in students’ grades, attendance and social-emotional skills.
“There’s a holistic approach to it with the social, emotional, mental health and the physical side, so that’s how I look at it,” he says. “I use the video games as the catalyst.”
Junior Bryson Thornton-Palomo holds one of Madras High School’s most impressive esports titles. During his first year on the team, Bryson placed second regionally and fourth nationally for the basketball game NBA 2K. This feat has boosted his confidence and determination to improve.
“2K is a game that I love to play,” Bryson says. “I played it ever since it came out. It’s a big part of my life.”
After a successful first year on the esports team, Bryson is considering playing in college. With a national title under his belt, opportunities for scholarships are vast. Multiple colleges have started scouting him, according to Beau.
“I honestly would love to play games for college or my country,” Bryson says. “Like I said, playing games is something I love to do. I wouldn’t mind getting a scholarship for that if it happens.”
As high school esports continues to flourish, collegiate esports are setting the standard for well-developed programs in America.
Collegiate Esports at George Fox University
In the esports arena at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon, the Valorant team warms up for its first game of the season. The five-versus-five character-based tactical combat game is a popular esports game among students. Sporting matching Bruins jerseys, the five players line up in front of their monitors and don their headsets for in-game communication. A calm settles over the arena, and the 186-inch LED screen on the wall signals the start of the match. Team members gather around to watch the livestream and cheer on their players.
It’s akin to any traditional collegiate sporting event. For many students, it’s the only way they can experience being a part of college athletics. With fewer obstacles in place to join the esports team, it has quickly become one of the fastest-growing programs at the university. Since 2021, the program has grown steadily from around 25 students to almost 100. Head Coach Miles Dean has overseen the program since its inauguration.
“From my perspective, we’re the premium esports program in the Pacific Northwest,” Miles says. “We’re one of the very few that are actually under athletics, so we’re treated like a traditional athletic sport.”
The program is quickly expanding its scope, with students participating in various projects from content creation to marketing and competition. One of its main goals is to extend programming to the rest of the student body by developing esports education, offering college courses, hosting community events and improving high school recruitment efforts.
The school’s state-of-the-art esports arena is one of the largest facilities on the West Coast at 2,400 square feet. The space is filled with advanced computer systems and dedicated fiber lines for fast connectivity to the internet. Students in the esports program can use the space for practices and other social activities.
The program offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for incoming and current students. It is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Esports—a network of more than 240 schools that has contributed $16 million in esports scholarships and aid.
According to PlayVS, “Currently, hundreds of colleges and universities offer tens of millions of dollars in esports scholarship money.”
Brandon Ngo, a sophomore at George Fox, is in his second
year in the program and is captain of the Apex Legends team—
a battle royale-hero shooter game. On top of being a varsity player, Brandon has received a scholarship for his involvement in esports and serves as the executive assistant of the esports program.
“I’m just doing this because I love it,” he says. “And also, I want to get into the industry in the future.”
Brandon has found a lot of healing power in the esports community after a challenging first year of college. Playing video games and spending time in the esports arena has given him a safe space to meet like-minded students.
“I really think esports in general is community-based because you’re playing with your friends,” he says. “It’s just a time to relax and engage with people.”
Roughly 70% of college students play video games at least once in a while, according to a study by Pew Research Center. Many esports games are team-based, allowing students to develop rapport and teamwork skills with others.
According to Miles, esports offers students the opportunity to improve communication skills, problem-solving and situational awareness—most of which are comparable to traditional sports and transferable to future careers.
Additionally, learning to broadcast games, create content and navigate digital platforms can all lead to work in the esports industry.
The Road Ahead
As esports continues to grow, schools such as Madras High School and George Fox University pave the way for successful esports programming. While still in the early stages, the benefits of esports in rural communities are recognizable among students.
According to Beau, these programs are giving students a new way to engage with video games—and they’re loving it.
“We’re in the high desert,” Beau says. “A lot of our kids live out in Warm Springs, and some of them so far out that there’s no cell service or internet access. Being able to stay in school and hang out with their friends is that driving force.”
In a critical time for students’ development, esports programs are filling a gap for an underserved group of students.
“Not everybody wants to join the football team or basketball or track to just sit there on the bench,” Beau says. “But in esports, everybody can participate.”