Esports has taken the world by storm and is now a multi-billion-dollar industry. Everyone from startups to streaming giants is looking for a slice of this pie. High schools nationwide are building competitive esports programs. They have started giving esports the same attention and resources as traditional sports like football or basketball. This guide outlines essential strategies for launching a successful high school esports program.
Create a Group of Interested Students and Staff
It is highly likely that you already have students who are passionate about gaming. Identity the gamer community of our school and bring them together. Paste flyers and post messages on your school messaging group, or you can hold tryouts at your schools. It can help you build a good understanding of the gamer community in your high school. Choose students who show leadership skills and gaming prowess to lead the program.
Don't forget to include your staff members as well. You can never tell who has an interest or experience in this field. You can build the administration required to run the esports program from interested staff members. Select team managers and coaches to guide the students. They don't need gaming experience, but they must be able to motivate and drive the students to reach a common goal.
Once you have the group ready, learn about the games they are most passionate about playing competitively. You will get many names, so try to reach a consensus or form separate teams if your budget allows it. It will help you determine the equipment needed to proceed with the program.
Ask for Help
Many resources and support networks are available to help schools starting in this space. Look to established names in this field to point you in the right direction.
A good way to start is to contact local colleges in your area. Many colleges have established varsity sports teams that can provide you with guidance. Pick their brains and ask them to share their best practices. They might even go as far as allowing your students to use their equipment and facilities. It is a win-win situation as your students get the right exposure, and colleges get a recruiting opportunity.
Esports organizations and governing bodies can provide valuable support to your esports program. Organizations like the North America Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF) offer information, access to their research, curriculum regarding esports in school, mentorship opportunities, and a community dedicated to gamers and esports. The National Esports Association is another nonprofit that can help get your esports program. They are a nonprofit organization that you can join for free.
Get the Right Gear and Equipment
Starting an esports program doesn't require a massive upfront investment, but you must get some essentials in place. You must clearly understand the game your students will play and invest in the hardware accordingly. Depending on that, you can purchase the required consoles or desktops to run the game.
Begin by repurposing equipment your school already owns. You can use monitors, headsets, peripherals, and even computers if they meet the required specifications for the game you are trying to run. See if your current systems can be upgraded with newer graphics cards and RAM.
Don't cut corners once you have decided to go ahead with your esports team. Esports is all about frame rate and speed. Your opponents will take advantage of even a millisecond lag. Therefore, investing in gaming keyboards, mice, and capable systems is essential. A benefit of investing in capable hardware is that it can be utilized by other programs running in your school.
Check if your school has the right furniture to support your esports team. If not, you can invest in sturdy desks, gaming chairs, etc., and see that the desks have ample and stable workspaces with proper cable management.
Organize Tournaments
Tournaments are an excellent way to find gamers interested in joining your esports program. Start small by organizing in-house tournaments and exhibitions. These Intramural events allow your players to gain gaming experience and hone their skills before they compete outside the school. It also helps you find out your top players. It is a good way to test your capabilities if you plan to broadcast your esports events. Take feedback from students and staff members about what worked and what needs to be further polished.
Once you get the hang of organizing events at your school, you can expand and invite nearby schools to organize larger events. Don't limit yourself to traditional PvP esports competition. You can try innovative events like Speedrun, where players try to finish a game as quickly as possible or design challenges in games such as Minecraft. Nonprofits like the National Esports Association or programs like Girls Who Game can guide to organize such tournaments.
Another fun aspect of organizing tournaments is that it allows your students to explore their talents. Students who are interested in broadcasting can host the tournament and provide commentary. Those interested in graphic design can design logos or create graphics for the tournament. It provides your students with valuable real-world experience that can benefit them greatly.
Join a League
Once your foundation is strong, you can get competitive by joining an established high school league. The High School Esports League (HSEL) is the largest in North America. They organize official matches and tournaments during the school year where your students can compete.
An esports team for your high school is an effective way to get students not into traditional sports interested in school activities. It can also become an effective marketing tool for your high school. If you seek guidance in selecting the right equipment, speak to our helpful customer service team at (877) 398-6449 or live chat Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 7 PM EST. Feel free to email us; we will reply as soon as possible. School Outlet can help you with the tools to take your high school esports program to the next level.
