Kenneth R. Olson Middle School last month welcomed its first Esports, a form of competitive video gaming that takes multiplayer participation to a whole different level.
Esports – short for Electronic Sports – came about last May, when school Technology Coordinator Kyle Calderwood received an email about a grant from computer maker Dell that would fund new technological opportunities at Olson. The school participated with teacher and Tabernacle Education Association member Brittany Murro in E-waste (Electronic Waste), a project that showed staff how to recycle old phones, tablets and other electronics across the school to be in line for the grant.
Olson received a $30,000 grant last June. In the packages for the funds, the school had a choice between equipment for a learning lab or for an Esports lab. It chose the latter, making it eligible for technology from Dell’s Alienware that included keyboard mouses and a 65-inch interactive flat panel for Esports.
The Esports lab has made a home at Olson, with much development since last year. The Tabernacle team now has a coach, teacher Lauren Annicchiarico, who has 28 years of experience in the classroom and has coached almost every sport.
Like other athletic teams, Esports students warm up, stretch, train and take breaks between practices and scrimmages. Annicchiarico also meets with the students once a week during lunch break to discuss strategies and how to improve.
She talked about what a success Esports has been for the students on the team, noting how the dialogue among them has moved from, “You need to do this” to “We need to do this.”
“They’ve really taken to it … and want to get better and communicate,” Annicchiarico said. “They’re really, I think, making a lot of improvements.”
The Tabernacle Tigers Esports team started holding practices after classes in February so the students could play games approved by the Garden State Esports League, which encompasses 100 other schools. Games include “Mario Kart” and “Rocket League,” which is free of violence and is Garden State Esports’ most popular game. “Rocket League” enables students to work on a skill set and communicate as a team, and it will enhance students’ skills so the Tabernacle team can compete against other teams starting this month.
Calderwood explained how Esports welcomes those interested in nontraditional athletic pursuits.
“This is a place where a student who is maybe not a star athlete, or maybe is just not inclined to athletics but still wants to be a part of a team, and maybe they have the skills to compete in a video-game atmosphere,” he explained. “It is an avenue where they can be still a part of something, but contribute in a different way and also still have a place to go to.”
“It’s fantastic,” said school Superintendent Shaun Banin. “I mean, you’re always looking to find programs that are going to speak [to] your students, and also this is something that I think that we identified a group of students that might not be involved in programs that our district is currently offering. And this is providing them an opportunity to collaborate, to be competitive and opportunities that could extend beyond their time here.”
With Esports, it may appear that the students are simply playing video games, but the opportunities are endless.
“You can have someone that works in graphic design to have your flier set up when you have promotions,” Calderwood explained. “You have someone that’s a statistician who’s keeping everything. We’re going to try and get into some broadcasting so there’s that avenue, too.
“You have video editing, commentary,” he added. “They (students) may find that they are interested in that and go into maybe sports broadcasting or film or TV production. I’m hopeful to see it grow.”
Esports beyond Olson may be on the horizon: the Lenape Regional High School District visited Olson to see the program and possibly add it to its schools.
To keep an eye on Tabernacle Tigers Esports, visit https://www.tabschools.org/tabernacletsd
