MHSEL Community E-News
What is Game On?
Edition #2 | March 2023
Game-On is Michigan High School Esports League's community e-newsletter. The goal of this publication is to provide educators with important announcements, information and insights on all things esports and its connection to students and education. NOTE: you may be prompted to click to "view entire message" (full e-newsletter) as this edition is long and packed with lots of information, resources, stories and more! Be sure to click!
Spring 2023
Mark Your Calendar!
At MHSEL, we are pumped to announce that we are now officially the largest high school league in the state! Breaking our own record again, we now have 93 schools with 385 teams participating and engaging 1,300+ students throughout MI!
We are thrilled to hold our in-person State Championships at Western Michigan University on Saturday, April 29. State championship matches will be held for League of Legends & Rocket League while Super Smash Bros. Ultimate teams will compete in semi-finals and state championship matches. More info forthcoming.
In-Person Tournaments!
MHSEL has sponsored a few in-person tournaments this spring, and we are planning another Rocket League Tournament at Brown City Jr/Sr High School on April 15.
DC Sanctum Series
On March 4, 60 individual gamers competed in a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament hosted by Divine Child High School in partnership with Concordia University & Esports Foundry.
1st Place
Robert Rabinowitz (Bloomfield Hills)
2nd Place
Pablo Avila (Rochester Adams)
Amateur Bracket 1st Place
Carson Tiemann (Fenton)
Haven't Been to One of Our State Championships Before?
Check out the Explore Esports Conference and Fall 2022 Season State Championships held at Oakland University in December 2022 below.
Griffin-Laker Invitational
The Griffin-Laker Rocket League Invitational was held on March 11 in partnership with Grand Valley State University and the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Six participating teams representing five high schools included: Grand Rapids West Catholic, Byron Center (Orange & Black), Hudsonville, Lawton & Lowell.
1st Place: Lowell High School
- Coaches: Steve Garvey & Palm Kooi
- Players: Ryan Booth, Gavin Devries & Mason Wilterink
2nd Place: Grand Rapids West Catholic High School
- Coaches: Dakota VandenToorn & Samuel Tyler Hopper
- Players: Travis Keller, Ethan Zull & Evan Buehler
3rd Place: Byron Center High School – Orange
- Coach: Joseph Diekevers
- Players: Connor Pettit, Anthony Rivera & Aiden Vogeli
Esports Through the Eyes of a Superintendent, Assistant Principal and Coach
I became Superintendent of Pinconning Schools in August. I presented Esports and MHSEL to the board members during my first board meeting. I knew it was something that our students needed to experience and be part of.
"I don't know anything about the games but I had coached high school sports for many years."
Writen by: Andrew J. Kowalczyk, Pinconning Area Schools Superintendent
Resources
MHSEL How To Guides
Written by: MHSEL Intern(s)
Why stream esports & how to do it?
Stay connected with what is happening and communicate with your esports community!
New Coaches Webinar Recording
Implementation Plan
MHSEL Advisory Board Member, Ashlie O'Conner from Alpena Montmorency Alcona Educational Service District provided us with a sample three year implementation plan for esports including a draft budget.
Game Changing Experience
Written by David Droski, Mona Shores High School Teacher & MHSEL Advisory Board Member
"All my life I have been reclusive and liked nothing more than video games ... I never knew what I wanted to do with my life after high school, but that all changed after I went to the MHSEL State Championship and Clinic."
"He came home from that event with a new-found purpose in life. This previously confused young man, frustrated that he didn't know what to do in his future, has found his passion."
Females in Esports
Interview with Novi High School Student Athlete Julia Lin
Written by Maggie Helmer, MHSEL Assistant Director
Esports is unlike traditional sports in that it is all-inclusive: both male and female students can play on the same team. Yet, women are still an underrepresented population in this industry.
"I am very passionate about esports so I knew that it would be a good fit for me," said Julia Lin, 11th grade esports student athlete at Novi High School (NHS). "I feel like esports offers people a chance to play games that they are passionate about and spend time doing it competitively. Also, meeting people that are just as interested in a game is enjoyable and makes you feel a sense of belonging."
2x Champion and Not Slowing Down
Check out the article on Kymen's success, how he got here and what he plans to do next!
MHSEL wants to give a big shout out to Kymen Cartwright, a sophomore at East Kentwood High School! Kymen is receiving national attention for winning two regional championships in a row: Spring & Fall 2022.
MHSEL Schools in the News
- The Mining Journal (March 14, 2023): New eSports club forms at Marquette Senior High School
- The Voice (February 17, 2023): Richmond High School esports team embarks upon spring season
- C&G Newspapers (January 11, 2023): Novi High School brings home hardware in esports championship
MHSEL Prep Update
We are incredibly proud of all our esports teams on an incredible pilot season! Twelve schools piloted with us this past winter season and joined us on this journey to middle school gaming! Our students had a great time competing with their friends and ultimately scrimmaging and competing against other schools.
Courses Available for Students & Coaches
Worried About Your Disconnected Students?
Give Esports a Try . . .
Here's a startling fact: 47% of students who join K-12 esports teams have never participated in a school-sanctioned extracurricular.
Do your students play Fortnite, League of Legends, Overwatch, Rocket League, Mario Kart, or Super Smash Bros? These are just a few of the most popular games in the rising world of esports.
For Educators: Intro to Esports
In this course, educators will be introduced to the unique and exciting opportunities and benefits available to students within esports. Whether you're simply interested in learning more or thinking about starting your own team, this course will help you deepen your understanding of esports and reflect on your next steps.
- Format: On Demand, Self Paced
- Cost: FREE
- Credits: 2 SCECHs
MHSEL Strategy Sessions on Twitch!
Rage quitting, throwing controllers and swearing are just a few of the negative reactions gamers have when dealing with a loss and more. How can we promote positive behaviors and teach students how to properly manage negative emotions so they can stay in the game? Tune in on March 20th at 7:00 p.m. for our Strategy Session on Tilt: Managing Player Emotions facilitated by MHSEL super coach and Advisory Board Member, Eric Heinz from Divine Child High School.
Healthy Gamer Habits
Learn from MHSEL Partner, Milk Means More, a certified dietitian about the importance of healthy eating, sleep routines and more so you are at your best on match day.
Collegiate Esports & Scholarships
Hear from Michigan State University, Chris Bilski, and Oakland University, Carl Leone, Esport Directors on what college esports looks like, what an athlete's responsibilities are, as well as how scholarships work.
Esports – The Unexpected Path for Many: Pistons GT
Seven years ago before the NBA 2K League was formed, before the Pistons Gaming Team had been established, Duane Burton had little experience in esports other than playing video games himself.
When rumblings of the Detroit Pistons being a part of a new esports league focused on the popular video game NBA 2K surfaced, Burton took the opportunity as a chance to get in on the ground floor.
Read full article and hear more from Professional Esports Coach and Players!
Written by Mike Horan, Detroit Pistons Communications Director
Collegiate Partnerships Are Growing!
Esports Camp | August 8, 2023
An esports summer camp is being held August 8 at Kirtland Community College in Grayling, MI. The event organizer is Ashlie O'Connor with Alpena Montmorency Alcona Educational Service District. More information is coming soon!
Meet the MHSEL Staff!
Ryan Cayce
Director of MHSEL
Maggie Helmer
Assistant Director of MHSEL
Nina Davis
Director of MHSEL Prep (Middle Level)
Learn more about each staffer on mhsel.org.
Jackson Sparks, MHSEL Intern
Jackson joined in January 2023 as an MHSEL intern. He is working toward a Computer Science degree at Eastern Michigan University where he began his career in Esports, competing for their Rocket League and Valorant teams. Since his time competing, he has begun managing their Rocket League team while working to assist in the growth of many high school players in Michigan as they move toward their own collegiate careers. He does this both by coaching high school players and giving them opportunities for scrimmages. Jackson was also a speaker at a clinic for high school players after Eastern Michigan University hosted a high school championship on their campus in 2022.
Jackson lives in Ypsilanti with his fiancée Kristin where they have a pet bearded dragon named Felix.
Meet MHSEL Advisory Board Members
- David Droski, Teacher at Mona Shores High School
- Steve Forsberg, Assistant Principal at Ludington High School
- Eric Heinz, Teacher at Divine Child High School
- Carl Leone, Esports Head Coach at Oakland University
- Matt Mooney, Assistant Principal at Divine Child High School
- Ashlie O'Connor, Instructional Technology & Data Specialist + Esports Coordinator, Alpena Montmorency Alcona Educational Service District
- Brady VanMalsen, Teacher at Hudsonville High School
- James Whiteford, Teacher at Strong Middle School
MHSEL Hosting Organizations
MHSEL Platform Partner
MHSEL Partners
(Collegiate Partners Listed Above)
Michigan Spring '23 Playoff Schedule
- April 17 | Top 64 SSBU & Top 32 RL
- April 18 | Top 8 LOL
- April 19 | Top 32 SSBU & Top 16 RL
- April 21 | Top 16 SSBU & Top 8 RL
- April 25 | Top 8 SSBU, Top 4 RL & Top 4 LOL
- April 29 | In-Person State Championships - Top 4 & Finals for SSBU and Finals for RL & LOL
- Questions
michigan@playvs.com - Enrollment Help
success@playvs.com - Tech/Website Help
support@playvs.com - Billing Questions
accounting@playvs.com
