INDIANAPOLIS — Boasting an ever-increasing number of participants, esports (or electronic sports) continues to rise as one of the more popular and unique activity programs for high school students. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and its Learning Center now address the competitive, organized gaming landscape with a first-of-its-kind course – “Introduction to Esports” – which is now available for free on NFHSLearn.com.

“Introduction to Esports” was developed by the NFHS Learning Center in partnership with Butler University (Indianapolis, Indiana) and PlayVS to not only more clearly define esports, but to offer several key examples of esports’ social benefits, inclusiveness, organizational structure and competition.

“The NFHS Learning Center is pleased to offer this online course for esports. These programs are oftentimes misunderstood, and the course provides education on what you need to know and do to get started,” said Dan Schuster, NFHS director of educational services. “Esports provides opportunities for students who may not have ever participated in other school programs, and this allows them to be a part of a team with their classmates.”

Similar to other student activities, esports fosters growth and development in many ways. Students can grow on a personal level, as well as develop key team-building concepts such as coordination with peers, strategy, communication and problem-solving.

Whether it’s one of multiple activities a student is involved in or their first ever, esports caters to the widest possible range of students. Anyone who can use a computer can be an esports athlete. Through esports participation, students build bonds with fellow teammates over a shared passion; no matter the social group, they ultimately become part of a shared community.

The “Introduction to Esports” course is centered around five primary sections. Following the course introduction, the course dives into the background of competitive gaming and how schools can start an esports program.

The latter half of the course offers a more thorough look at the benefits of esports. Schools and students alike are afforded the advantages of specific esports skill development, in addition to increased social benefits, opportunities and inclusiveness. Also addressed are considerations and common misconceptions associated with esports.

Course partners PlayVS and Butler University have deep roots in esports. PlayVS, which is an online gaming competition platform, partnered with the NFHS and NFHS Network in 2018 to assist high schools with starting esports programs. Since the inaugural esports season in October 2018, the NFHS and PlayVS have grown from five member state associations and one affiliate group across five states to boasting competitive teams in high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. There are currently associations in 18 of those states that have partnered with PlayVS for esports competition featuring season-ending championships during the fall and spring semesters. Another 31 states have schools participating in esports without an official state championship.

“Esports is the fastest-growing sport today and many educators and parents have requested more information on the multitude of benefits esports offers to students,” said Aakash Ranavat, PlayVS senior vice president of partnerships and operations. “We are extremely proud to partner with the NFHS on an esports course for the first time ever. We look forward to bringing more education and awareness to esports and seeing the positive impact esports will continue to have on students across the country.”

“Collegiate esports has taken off. Creating esports club and varsity teams is often the first step, but the curricular side of esports is really starting to take hold as well,” said Lee Farquhar, Butler University associate professor and interim director of the Eugene S. Pulliam School of Journalism and Creative Media. “Butler is in an especially strong position on both fronts, and it’s only getting started with more curricular, community and competitive programming ready to lift off this year.”

For more information and to access “Introduction to Esports,” please visit: https://www.nfhslearn.com/courses/introduction-to-esports.

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BABSON PARK, Fla. – Director of Athletics Brad Niethammer has announced the hiring of Kyle Jensen as the first Head Esports Coach at Webber International University.

Jensen majored in law and society and minored in forensic science at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, graduating in May 2018.

During the spring of 2018, Jensen was a Research Intern for Purdue Homeland Security. He also worked as a Judge’s Intern for the Shelby County Courthouse in Shelbyville, Indiana, during the summer of 2016.

Jensen has also volunteered with the Indianapolis Colts Touchdown Town and has been a third and fourth grade flag football coach.

Competitive online gaming has exploded over the past few years, resulting in Esports expanding into intercollegiate athletics. Over 80 colleges/universities and 1,500 student-athletes are members of NACE, and the national association has brought in $9 million in scholarships and financial aid.

Webber’s new coed Esports team will compete as a member of the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), a national affiliation that formed in 2016 and, as of January, 2018, serves as the governing body for over 90 percent of all varsity Esports programs in the United States.

League of Legends and Overwatch are two of the most popular titles in the Esports community. Competitions are held online where teams compete against one another in scenarios of 5v5 (League of Legends) or 6v6 (Overwatch). All matches are streamed, and series typically last three to five hours.

According to Coach Jensen, the Warriors will start off by competing in League of Legends.

“I am excited to build an Esports program that fosters sportsmanship and success in such a wonderful community like Webber,” said Jensen.

Jensen’s first order of business will to begin recruiting immediately with an eye towards beginning practice and competition in the spring.

Webber’s Director of Athletics Brad Niethammer said, I’m excited to see this program get up and running. Kyle has the opportunity and challenge to start and build the Esports program from scratch. I look forward to watching him grow as a coach and building this new program.”

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AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Peach Belt Conference and commissioner David Brunk are pleased to announce that the league will add a second title to its Esports offerings with its first season of Overwatch this fall. Play will begin on Sept. 26 and continue for eight weeks, leading to the PBC Tournament Nov. 21 and 22. All contests, including tournament play, will be conducted remotely in keeping with current health practices. Participating teams and the inaugural schedule will be released by the league office on Friday.

“We are very excited to begin playing Overwatch,” Brunk said. “The popularity of the game among our players and fans is tremendous and we expect to have a highly competitive first season. Our coaches and advisors at our member institutions and associate members have let us know that now is the time to add this second title. Our commitment to Esports is as strong as ever and especially now when we can highlight the unique capabilities of online competition given the current college sports landscape during this pandemic.”

Published by Blizzard Entertainment, Overwatch is a fast-paced futuristic first-person game featuring two teams of six facing off head-to-head. Taking place on a near-future Earth, players choose a ‘hero’ character to control, each with their own unique abilities and roles. Matches are played on a variety of maps with different game modes where teams are tasked with defending territory, securing an objective or escorting a payload. Teams must work together, constantly adjusting their strategies based on the map and the characteristics of their selected Heroes.

“We are very excited for the arrival of Overwatch as the league continues their unwavering efforts to create a well round colligate Esports experiences for our student athletes,” said Dr. David Morris, head coach and coordinator of the USC Aiken Esports team. “The addition of Overwatch also points to a greater change in the collegiate Esports landscape, with the acceptance of first-person shooter games that focused on team work rather than a single player.”

Launched in 2016, Overwatch as quickly grown into one of the most popular Esports titles in the world with tens of millions of players competing at every level. The professional Overwatch League (OWL) debuted in 2018 and currently sports 20 franchises in Asia, North America and Europe.

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BABSON PARK, Fla. – Webber International University athletics and Director of Athletics Darren Richie have announced the addition of an Esports program beginning in the fall of 2020.

“We believe that launching this program continues to demonstrate Webber International University’s commitment to offer dynamic and innovative co-curricular programs for our students,” said Richie. “With our new state-of-the-art facility that will be opening in August, this will eventually serve as another vehicle to make us a national contender in intercollegiate competitions.”

The new gaming arena will serve as a community center for gaming students and a venue for hosting and competing in intercollegiate Esports tournaments. The arena will become a flagship for Webber International University, outfitted with professional gaming products to provide students with an exemplary Esports experience.

“Webber International University has always excelled in incorporating effective student engagement strategies and producing learning outcomes that translate into extraordinary personal growth and amazing career opportunities,” said Dr. Charles S. Shieh, Chief Academic Officer. “WIU Esports is going to be just one more way for students to enjoy a transformational experience as future gamers through this very exciting world-wide cultural phenomenon.”

Webber’s new coed Esports team will compete as a member of the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), a national affiliation that formed in 2016 and, as of January, 2018, serves as the governing body for over 90 percent of all varsity Esports programs in the United States.

Competitive online gaming has exploded over the past few years with more than 200 million people watching the League of Legends World Championship in 2018, drawing even more viewers than the Super Bowl that year.

A national search for a coach at Webber is currently being conducted. For more information or for consideration, please contact Mr. Darren Richie at 863-638-2953 (richieda@webber.edu).

ABOUT ESPORTS

Immense popularity on the professional level has resulted in Esports expanding into intercollegiate athletics. Over 80 colleges/universities and 1,500 student-athletes are members of NACE, and the national association has brought in $9 million in scholarships and financial aid.

League of Legends and Overwatch are two of the most popular titles in the Esports community. Competitions are held online where teams compete against one another in scenarios of 5v5 (League of Legends) or 6v6 (Overwatch). All matches are streamed, and series typically last three to five hours.

The post Webber International University announces addition of Esports appeared first on Southeast Sports Net.