A popular new class and team at Beggs High School may have parents questioning what they previously believed about video games.
Many regional and state colleges have added Esports programs and most offer scholarships of some kind. Scholarships range from $500 to $10,000 with the average award $2000, according to United State Academic Esports League information.
Beggs Public Schools is preparing its students by offering two sessions of high school Esports and two at the middle school level for the first time this year.
One student, of the 14 currently enrolled in the high school program, said that Esports was appealing because it offered a way to compete even if you are unathletic.
Russell Frederick will coach the high school team, who will compete in two different leagues.
Esports is an Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association sanctioned activity.
Beggs will also compete in the Oklahoma Scholastics eSports (OKSE) league.
According to their website, “OKLAHOMA SCHOLASTIC ESPORTS IS DEDICATED TO PROMOTING AND IMPROVING STUDENT SUCCESS THROUGH POSITIVE COMPETITION, EVENTS, AND LEAGUES WHILE PROVIDING SUPPORT AND STRUCTURE FOR COMPETING SCHOOLS.”
According to Beggs newcomer and first-time Esports coach Brandon Bookout, all competitions will be online in the beginning with plans to travel to in-person competitions down the road. Bookout noted that the championships are always scheduled in person at a neutral site.
Bookout coaches the middle school team and currently has 32 enrolled in his first and second hour classes at BMS.
“Our job as a school system is to give our students the best opportunities to be successful and with the collegiate level offering scholarships ESports is a good avenue to help our students reach their goals,” said Bookout.
Also assisting with the new program is BHS graduate Daniel Markes, who is the “glue guy” for the program according to Bookout.
Jordan Olden, BMS eighth grade student, said he is most excited about the equipment and the gaming. He shared that he has been playing video games “for a long time”.
Coach Bookout shared that about 50 percent of the students enrolled have experience with the games that will be used in competition, with many of them highly skilled already.
Beggs will compete in the age-appropriate/school-appropriate games of Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. on Nintendo, as well as Rocket League and League of Legend in the PC platform.
“My Mom always said video games wouldn’t get me anywhere,” said BHS freshman Brad Miller.
Time will only tell as Beggs Public Schools kicks off this new program.
