Written by: Valeria Rojas, ’19
Esports is a competitive sport using video games that consists of two or more teams competing against one another. Redwood High School’s very own esports team is no other than RHS eSports! It is in fact the only esports team and program within Tulare County. RHS eSports has been on campus since the Spring of 2018 and since then, it has been slowly, but surely growing in popularity.
The Process
Even though the club has been growing in popularity, it wasn’t an easy process to get it approved for our campus. A former student, Evan Purslow, ‘18, was passionate about esports and wanted to bring it on campus for other students to be passionate about. Mr. Cazerez, esports club adviser, tells the story, “Evan Purslow brought it to me with everything. He had done days worth of research, contacted the High Esports League and gave them my email, and really set everything in motion. From there I had to register our school with the Organizers of the tournaments, get organized with XL as an after school program, and begin to recruit students.”
Meet the Team
RHS esports consists of a 6 person Overwatch team. Their League Team has 4 people, but are trying to make it a full team, and their Rocket League team has 4 people. They currently only compete in Rocket League and Overwatch which are PC games. Trevor Henderson, ’20, Captain of Rocket League, describes what being a captain is all about, “Being captain has been fun and challenging because I make sure that we all have that sense of team work and we make sure we’re ready for a competition.”
Sam Fox, ’20, Captain of Overwatch, makes sure that like any other captain that his players are ready to compete, “we make sure that they play enough and they feel confident in their skill level to compete and our team overall feels ready.”
Preston Kearnan, ’22, has been in esports since the beginning of his freshman year, “I joined esports to be apart of something. Not everyone is a superstar athlete or is a genius. In esports you can be you and no one judges. We build friendships that we bond over with video games.”
It’s pretty much a sport
Well since its a sports team, how do they practice? Well person who didn’t figure it out the first time, they play their video games during practice after school and some players even practice at home. When they’re not grinding on the PC, they watch videos from Grandmasters (top rank video game players) on YouTube to learn new skills and see what they can improve on.
In order to stay in esports, students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA or you’re outta there until you pick up your grades. Also, you must have good sportsmanship and no bad vibes because it’s a team and a team works together not against one another.
RHS eSports wins around 10-14 tournaments every season. One of their biggest tournament wins was their Rocket League team placed second in the Western Division in Spring 2018 and that led them to Nationals where they placed 5th in the Nation! They’re hoping to keep that streak of wins this 2019 season.
More than just video games
Cazarez goes on to say that esports is more than just a club that students play video games in, “We wanted a place where people could compete and create a positive culture. We wanted to help tear down the stereotype of the gamer and show that it really takes a lot of practice and skill to play these games on a competitive level. We all want to feel like we belong and be around people with the same interest. I feel like esports allows those students to do just that.”
“We’ve been booed at assemblies. I get teachers who personally tell me it’s a waste and not helpful. My students are told they’re wasting time by teachers. Just a lot of negative things that is flat out not okay.”-Cazarez
Esports is considered a sport in the eyes of the sports industry, corporations, and even colleges. According to Forbes, the esports industry made over $900 million in 2018 and it is still growing. Big celebrity names such as Michael Jordan, Stephen Curry, (both well respected athletes by the way) and Drake have invested money into the industry. Colleges are giving out hefty scholarships to esport gamers. Some of the colleges that are involved:
- Indiana Tech Esports Scholarship.
- Maryville University Esports Participation Award.
- Southwest Baptist University Esports Scholarship.
- Stephens College esports Scholarship for Women.
- The NYU Game Center EVO Scholarship.
- University of California – Irvine Esports Scholarship.
The fact that a person who is passionate about playing video games can have their college paid for!? If you still believe esports is just playing video games, you are very mistaken.
Where do I join and Support?
To be on the team, students come to the meetings on Monday’s and Wednesday’s after school from 3:30pm-5:30pm upstairs in the library. There you will find Cazarez, Sam and Trevor. You talk to them about being on the team, show off your skill level and they’ll find a spot for you. Don’t worry if you’re not amazing at playing video games because anyone can join and be taught.
Some may think that playing video games is a waste of time and to those people I say you’re wrong. These people who are proud to call themselves gamers have a great reason to. Playing video games gives them opportunities to build strong friendships, skills, a place to a escape and have fun within a community that they feel comfortable and excited to be in.
If you don’t want to join, but you still want to support the team, you can follow their Twitch: RHS_eSports1 and watch them play live or watch their previous matches. You can also follow their YouTube channel.
Tags: esports, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, rhs, video games, visalia california