MHSEL Community E-News
"Game On" is the Michigan HIgh School Esports League's community e-newsletter. The goal of this publication is to provide educators with important announcements, information and insight on all things esports and its connection to students and education.
Breaking Records ... Again!
The Countdown is On!
Only 9 days left for students to submit their online entry for MHSEL's second annual Shoutcaster Showdown Competition! The best from Round 1 will be asked to compete in-person at Ferris State University with the chance to win scholarships and awards!
Fall Awards Program
MHSEL All State Awards will be presented at the Fall Championship event at MSU, December 7. Nominations due by November 15. We recommend waiting until further into the season to complete the form but wanted you to have the link and details prior.
Reminder: Player & Coach of the Year will be presented in the Spring and MHSEL will provide the All-League certificate templates later this season for coaches.
Mark Your Calendars!
Our IN-PERSON STATE SEASON CONCLUDING EVENT & CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR HIGH SCHOOLS will be held Saturday, December 7, at Michigan State University.
Quarter-Finals (Top 8) to championship matches will be played in person for our most popular state league game titles:
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Rocket League
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
- Valorant
Additional playoff information will be coming soon.
Remember, schools are required to participate in person for this event in the titles listed.
FREE Online MHSEL Level Up Learning Sessions!
Streaming Matches on Youtube Live
Monday, October 14 @ 3:00 PM
Join us as Hartland High School Esports Coaches Jason Watkins & Cameron Montney walk through the ins & outs of streaming your matches using YouTube Live. They will cover equipment needs, setting up accounts and streaming multiple matches at once. Register and learn how to start showcasing your program's matches online this season!
Coachify.gg
Monday, October 21 @ 4:00 PM
Looking for a way to help up your team's game? Check out the services and resources from Coachify.gg, MHSEL's Official Coaching partner! With a state-of-the-art dashboard to progress monitor your team's performance, and the ability to get your match videos reviewed by an expert community, this is a great way to receive additional support for your program. Join Coachify's Josh Hilton as he provides an overview of the program, including the cost, many benefits and more.
Need Support?
Connect with a Super Coach!
MHSEL & PlayVS have a network of coaches across the state (and country) to assist in the process of starting or leveling up your esports program and to help answer any questions you may have.
Do You Know the Stats?
Embody Inclusivity & Innovation: Pied Piper School's Esports Story
"Esports provides a unique and inclusive opportunity for students with disabilities," Grulke said. "The virtual playing field creates new pathways for our students to redefine ability and engage with peers."
Detroit Catholic Central Rocket League LAN went VIRAL!
Check out the video below to get the true story behind the high school esports team that went viral. Learn how it all came together and how it turned out for the hosting team!
Career Opportunities in the Gaming Industry
The gaming industry intersects with other large, thriving industries like entertainment and technology. Familiarity with the gaming ecosystem and esports landscape builds a student's knowledge base for what's possible.
Participating in high school esports gives students a jumpstart in pursuing a career in the ever-growing industry.
State Capitol Immersive Esports Experience Engages Nearly 100 Guests
Nearly 100 legislative and governmental guests gathered to experience the rapidly growing world of scholastic esports when the Michigan High School Esports League hosted an exciting and interactive Esports Day at the Michigan State Capitol on September 25.
This immersive Esports Day aimed to build a bridge between Michigan's educational leaders and the future of scholastic esports, encouraging support and awareness for its integration into school programs.
The event was broken down into four interactive stations – Watch It, Play it, Learn It, Ask It – with student athletes and coaches from Dansville, Novi, Divine Child, Mona Shores and MSU!
From High School to College: Advice With A Signed Esports Player
Tony Hall, a graduate of Portland High School in Tennessee, turned his passion for Rocket League into a collegiate career at Cumberland University. In PlayVS's latest feature, Tony shares invaluable insights on teamwork, dedication and the journey from high school to college esports. Don't miss Tony's advice and inspiring story of success and collaboration.
Middle Schools Esports Kicks Off!
At MHSEL, we are very excited to share that our new Middle School esports league will feature 19 schools with 53 teams engaging more than 300 students across 7 game titles. Our fall season for MS will be scholastic only: no playoffs or championships. The spring season for MS will be more competitive – stay tuned for more details coming soon!
Meet the New MHSEL MS Advisory Board Members!
Sidney Bailey IV (Region 4)
Portage West Middle School
Assistant Principal
Suzanne Banwart (MS Rep)
Pioneer Middle School
Library Media Specialist
Staffers
Ryan Cayce
Director of MHSEL
ryan@massp.com, 810-404-3322
Maggie Helmer
Assistant Director of MHSEL
maggie@massp.com, 616-318-2525
Advisory Board
- Region 1: Becky LaBrecque, Teacher at Marquette Senior High School
- Region 2: Ashlie O'Connor, Specialist at Alpena Montmorency Alcona ESD
- Region 3: David Droski, Teacher at Mona Shores High School
- Region 4: Sidney Bailey IV, Assistant Principal at Portage West Middle School
- Region 5: Ginger Herzog, Teacher at Bay City Central High School
- Region 6: Sherri St. Clair, Teacher at Linden High School
- Region 7: Eric Heinz, Teacher at Divine Child High School
- College Rep: Carl Leone, Esports Head Coach at Oakland University
- MS Rep Suzanne Banwart, Library Media Specialist at Pioneer Middle School
- At-Large Rep: Chris White, Teacher at Novi High School
- At-Large Rep: Matt Mooney, Teacher at Detroit Catholic Central High School
- At-Large Rep: Brady VanMalsen, Teacher at Hudsonville High School
Partners
Run, Pass & Defend Your Way to a Once-In-A-Lifetime Trip to the Pro Bowl Games!
Calling All Madden Players!
Do you think you have what it takes to be one the best in the country? The NFL, EA and PlayVS are teaming up to bring you the Madden NFL Youth Championship!
Tournament Dates:
- 2025 Pro Bowl Games
- Qualifier 1 - Oct 25 - Oct 27
- Qualifier 2 - Nov 22 - Nov 24
- 2025 NFL Draft
- Qualifier 1 - Feb 21 - Feb 23
- Qualifier 2 - Mar 28 - Mar 30
This is a first-of-its-kind competition exclusive to middle and high school students. Players ages 13 to 18 in the U.S can compete for their chance to win a trip to the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando!
PlayVS is hosting four tournaments across the year, two this fall and two in the spring. Registration for the first virtual tournament is open now and students are competing for a chance to go to the NFL Pro Bowl Games or 2025 NFL Draft to compete for the MYC Championship!
We would love to see Michigan represented!
College Football 25
Represent your favorite college team and relive the excitement of game day. EA Sports College Football 25 delivers immersive gameplay, allowing fans to step into the shoes of their favorite programs.
Available as a HS tournament Fall '24.
This league is hosted by the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) and the Michigan Association of Student Councils and Honor Societies (MASC/MAHS) in partnership with PlayVS.