Our in-person state semi-finals & championships will be held on Saturday, April 27 at Oakland University showcasing our four most popular spring titles: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Rocket League, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Overwatch 2. 

Written by Sasha Rogelberg, Daily.Dot

Varsity teams across U.S. high schools have legitimized esports, paving the way for more students across diverse backgrounds to pursue it in college and professionally.

At Detroit Catholic Central High School in Novi, Michigan, the varsity esports team gets the same treatment as any other sport.

In October, esports team members draped in blue and white wrestling robes burst into a dimly lit gymnasium to a raucous crowd of students. Smoke machines produced a fog around rows of gaming computers and a large projector. The event – a pep rally and exhibition match of Rocket League ...

Videos of the event circulated online, with ESPN's TikTok of the assembly match generating over 4.2 million views. House of Highlights, MaxPreps, and other outlets shared clips of the match.

High school esports is growing across the U.S., with over 8,600 high schools starting esports teams since 2018. 

On January 20, 2024, Mona Shores hosted its inaugural New Year's Tournament, which saw both a crew battle (3v3) and individual tournament.  Participating schools included Ludington, Mona Shores, Muskegon, Orchard View, Quincy and Rockford.  

In the crew battle, Mona Shores took first place;  team members included Hayden Tague, Kian Paterson and Evan Harter. Rockford was runner-up; team members included Dominick Noeker, Justin Bennett and Vincent Zinn.

In the individual tournament, Jared Dault from Orchard View took first place, Justin Bennett from Rockford was the runner-up, Tristan Fillmore from Quincy took third, and Evan Harter from Mona Shores took fourth.

Six schools represented: six teams in tournament & 25 in individual tournament. 

On Saturday, March 9, 2024 Divine Child High School hosted the second DC Sanctum Series: Smash individual tournament, presented by MHSEL, in partnership with Central Michigan University. 

The tournament had 64 student athletes representing 28 different high schools competing. 

After the battles had ended, three individuals took home trophies, gifts and bragging rights:

• Champion: Danny Padula, 12th Grader from Detroit Catholic Central (first photo on right)
• Runner Up: Lance Toma, 12th Grader from Detroit Catholic Central (first photo on left)
• Amateur Bracket Winner: Jaden Underwood, 12th Grader from Starkweather Academy (second photo on left)

Starting an esports team can be challenging for any school, but when your nearest competitor is hours away, the challenge can feel insurmountable. Yet, with dedicated students and supportive adults, anything is possible!

At Marquette Senior High School, the idea for an esports team began with passionate students approaching teacher Becky LaBrecque. Despite initial hurdles and lack of support from principals, the partnership between PlayVS and the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals provided the structure and backing needed to launch the team in Fall 2022.

"Every Michigan student deserves this opportunity, and together, we can illuminate the path for esports in all schools ... These kids deserve the same support we give other sports and clubs ... Marquette High is grateful to be part of this journey, fostering countless teachable moments through esports."

For most of us, it takes a tragedy to be reminded of the need for blood donation. Natural disasters and acts of violence often are followed by images of long lines at blood centers. But it's the blood already on the shelves that makes a difference in a crisis. Blood can take up to 48 hours to be processed and tested before it can be used. Therefore, the best way to save lives in an emergency is to donate in advance and have convenient locations for blood donation to occur regularly.

MHSEL Director, Ryan Cayce, was able to visit Michigan State University's campus to check out the amazing new esport spaces that have recently been added. We are excited for our friends and partners at MSU Esports for the possibilities it will bring to their program, as well as the potential opportunities to work with MHSEL! 

"... more to it than what you see on the outside."

"... there are a million different aspects in esports that you can pursue."

"That is what I try to do, I try to show the
ins-and-outs of what esports means, not only to kids, and to parents, but to the industry because every kid deserves a try at pursuing their dreams, and if you can provide that, I think we will be better off in the long run; when everyone is doing what they want to do."

"Anything is possible."

Caleb joined MHSEL in January 2024 as the Esports Intern. Caleb began his education at Coastal Carolina University where he is studying Recreation and Sport Management. He will graduate with a bachelor's degree in May 2024. Alongside his studies, he is also an ROTC Cadet, and will join the Army as an Active Duty Officer in May 2024. 

Caleb lives in South Carolina where he enjoys golfing, playing video games, and spending time with his friends and family. 

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