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MORE THAN A HOBBY A different side of gaming BY LINDSAY CUOMO . PHOTOS PROVIDED.
Battles over screen time, debates about violence in video games, online bullying and concerns about health impacts mean gaming is often seen as a youthful indulgence filled with more pitfalls than benefits, but high schools and colleges around the country are utilizing the emerging world of esports as a positive outlet to engage students in new ways.
Paul Vaughan, the esports team coordinator and coach for Oklahoma City University, says programs like the one at OCU “put competition in the hands of students that aren’t usually engaged.” “Esports is more than playing games in a room alone,” explained Vaughan. “When several people engage and solve a problem together, it’s a powerful way for a team to bond and grow together.” Jeff Bishop, a career and technology teacher at Putnam City West High School, has been a firsthand witness to this concept. “My students flourish in this environment,” shared Bishop. “The kids have a common space with a common goal and a sense of belonging that maybe they didn’t have before. They all have their roles and a new place to express their leadership abilities.”
What are esports? Bishop said the video gaming industry has shifted from an individualized game experience to competition platforms that have resulted in a new genre of team play. Vaughan likened the early esports world to the Wild West but says now there are structured leagues and governing associations. “When I got started in college, there were 10 or 20 universities with varsity programs and as of last year there were well over 200,” said Vaughan. “The growth has been explosive.” The Oklahoma eSports League (OESL), in which all three high schools in the Putnam City School District participate, has an extensive code of conduct, requirements and rules teams must follow. The Oklahoma Association of Collegiate Esports (OACE) held its inaugural meeting in September and planned its first all-state tournament this past fall.
10 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / JAN-FEB 2021
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