I’m supportive of anything that gets students more involved.”

Stanley-Boyd SuperintendentJeff Koenig

Stanley-Boyd students will soon have a new way to get involved, following a vote by the School Board to approve an Esports club in the district.

Currently non school sponsored the club will allow students to compete with others in PC computer games via PlayVS, with no financial commitment on the part of the district. The Esports club will allow for scrimmages and practices (of Esports) via the largest high school Esports league in the country

Included in board documents, reasons for joining PlayVS include the following:

• Esports have become well known and commonplace in high schools and colleges
• Esports are regulated and polices are in place that ensure safe, inviting, and competitive gameplay
• Esports allow players to be involved and get many of the benefits of traditional sports, and
• Esports have been found to be popular among many students that otherwise would not engaged in organized school sports of activities.

As part of the Esports proposal the school would provide meeting space on campus in the CMR, IMC, or a classroom with PC computers, but will not purchase the games or video systems. However, as a non-schooled club there would be no organized meetings during school hours. The Esports club would also have an unpaid advisor expected to recruit players and advertise meetings, assist students in running their games, supervise, and resolve any conflicts between students. The club would also be held to the same expectations of participation laid out in the district’s Athletic Code and Privilege Card system. Superintendent Jeff Koenig shared his rationale for bringing the Esports club idea before the board.

“I’m supportive of anything that gets students more involved,”  he said. With the board asking additional questions prior to a vote board member Chad Verbeten voiced his own thoughts.

“Knowing what we know now, I struggle with this a little bit,” he said. Verbeten went on to say that he didn’t want to discourage the idea, just register concerns. “Social interaction is very important,” he explained of his misgivings on the club. Following a motion by Bob Geist seconded by Ryan Lewallen with all in favor, an Esports club will soon be coming to Stanley-Boyd.