Since 1980, when the first nationwide Space Invaders competition was held, Esports has captivated the nation. With a network that allows youth across the country to connect virtually in lobbies and competitions, esports offers participants a variety of new opportunities and challenges to take on.
Assistant Principal Derek Douglas echoes this sentiment, as he talks about the benefits of creating an extracurricular program for esports at Stockbridge.
“I brought [esports] here because students had expressed to me that the things they are best at is oftentimes video games,” Douglas said. “And one of the things that I think we often forget is that gaming can be a valuable skill set. So esports offers the chance for students with those skills or interests to be more connected at school and be more connected with each other through an extracurricular.”
Furthermore, esports provides an environment where students can thrive, as participants engage in entertaining competition at practices.

Seventh grader Drew Muraf expands on this, as he explains what their weekly practices look like.
“When we practice, we usually just go in and pick a game we enjoy and then play,” seventh grader Drew Muraf said. “The majority of us play Smash Bros and it’s a lot of fun. We’re really good at it and we’re very competitive too. It’s a fun challenge.”
However, esports doesn’t just create a space for students to socialize with others–it also creates academic opportunities. With over 250 colleges and universities hosting esports teams on-campus, there are a variety of scholarships and connections through the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) for participants.
Freshman Taurin Phillips voices his interest in the opportunities that esports would create for him.
“I wanted to join esports to be with my friends and to also earn scholarships,” Phillips said.
With the traction that esports is gaining, the newer extracurricular offers an abundance of entertainment, as well as opportunity for those who are interested.