Over the past several years, many Oklahoma schools have added programming for esports – or electronic sports – organized, competitive video gaming. Much like any other sport, students can sign up for practices or classes dedicated to improving their skills, and ultimately test that skill out against other players.
“At Hugo Middle School, we launched our program three years ago,” says Taylor Perry, the school’s video production and esports instructor. “Our high school had already started an after-school esports club in 2022, and we wanted the opportunity to introduce students to the pathway earlier while also engaging learners who might not traditionally participate in athletics or other extracurricular activities.”
Mike Shipley, executive director and president of Oklahoma Scholastic Esports (OKSE) and an esports coach for Laverne Public Schools, agrees that clubs like these grant kids another pathway to community.
“If nothing else, it has given some students that previously didn’t have a sense of belonging because they weren’t athletes or into FFA a purpose at school,” he says. “Not only a purpose, but a community.”
The OKSE represents over 250 schools, expanding rapidly since its 2019 founding.
“Both high school and middle school leagues offer state championships, and each has class divisions in several games,” continues Shipley.
Although Hugo started with just one esports class, the demand for more was overwhelming.
“Because of that demand, we added an additional period the following year,” says Perry. “Today, I teach five periods of esports each day, which really speaks to how quickly students embraced the program once they realized it was something they could be passionate about at school.”
College scholarships are offered for those who truly excel.
“Since May of 2022, I have had over a dozen students accept esports scholarships to various colleges just at Laverne alone, while many other students across the state have accepted various esports scholarship offers as well,” says Shipley.
Perry notes that as of late, there are more esports scholarships than qualified students.
“As more middle and high schools adopt esports programs, students are positioning themselves early for those opportunities,” she says. “For motivated players, the chances of earning an esports scholarship are very real and plentiful.”
STEM also plays a big role in the esports world – meaning that the activity is more than just “playing videogames,” leading to potential success careers in various industries.
“There are many STEM connections such as video game design, computer/networking support, production and videography/photography,” says Shipley. “There are also many career pathways not considered STEM such as marketing, apparel design, journalism and event management that can be gained leveraging esports as a means. Just like the NFL, there are numerous careers associated with esports outside of just the players.”
Although video games are often seen as a fun distraction, esports plays out like any other traditional sport, and practice makes perfect.
“One of the biggest wins for both students and parents is knowing that playing video games with friends isn’t just for fun. It is meaningful practice tied to success at school,” says Perry.
