As technology and video game entertainment continue to take place in our everyday lives, esports has become highly popular in schools looking to modernize education and their curriculum. 

Ever since Esports was recognized as an official sport in 2018 by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), more than 8,600 high schools have started an esports team.

In Georgia alone, hundreds of high schools have added an esports team to their athletic programs.

Mount Pisgah is in their third year of having an esports team and continues to grow their team and support the program.

With the addition of an Esports team, students are given many opportunities to explore a new interest, develop new skills and experience something new.  

Esports allows students who may not participate in traditional sports to be on a team that competes. 

“What’s great about the esports team, among other things, is that it provides an outlet for students who may not have an interest in a more traditional athletics team. It gives them that same opportunity to grow a community with their peers and still have that athletics experience,” said former esports head coach, Michael Saari.

Incorporating an esports team allows students and the school to grow in new areas and explore different experiences. 

“With anything that’s popular among culture and that there is money in, there is opportunity for growth and an opportunity for Mount Pisgah to offer enriching experiences for their students,” said Saari. 

As esports becomes more popular, it’s proving to be a beneficial and important part of a school’s community and, in some instances, its curriculum. 

With the addition of classes focusing on technology, game design and computer science, students have the chance to explore future careers and classes they could be interested in.

As this sport continues to grow, more schools should embrace this in order to provide students with a well rounded education that prepares them for the ever-evolving technological world we live in.