By Kathryn Coulibaly 

Video gamers are used to playing in the shadow of other high school sports, but that is changing in high schools across the country. Hopatcong High School’s esports program is not only leading the way, it is dominating the field.  

In March, Hopatcong High School’s esports team won a state championship for the third straight year at the Garden State Esports Winter Championship event, held at Georgian Court University.  

Esports, or electronic sports, are organized competitive video game competitions that are treated with all the electricity and fanfare of professional sporting events.  

Led by Jim McKowen, a computer science teacher and esports coach at Hopatcong High School, as well as the vice president of Programs and Partnerships for Garden State Esports, the Hopatcong esports team is attracting more and more students who have typically felt left out of extracurricular activities.  

“Anyone can participate in Esports,” McKowen says. “Garden State Esports has a unified league for students with special needs. The unified program plays asynchronous games, so all students are able to participate with each other.” 

McKowen has seen esports attract students who are typically left behind. A member of the leadership team at Garden State Esports, a nonprofit scholastic esports league founded by dues-paying educators during the pandemic to help students stay connected, McKowen and his colleagues are committed to building a diverse and inclusive environment in the sport.  

“The students who traditionally don’t do any extracurricular activities are joining esports and making new friends,” McKowen says. “They’re getting the social experience that other students get. We give out student surveys at the end of the season. Students who usually don’t do anything at school have made at least one new friend as a result.”  

For McKowen, Esports are a great way to connect students.  

“Esports really took off during the pandemic,” McKowen says. “This was one of the few clubs that we could run remotely. Hopatcong’s program started while I was teaching at the middle school, but really expanded when I moved to the high school to teach computer science.”  

While video gaming is not always as inclusive as it should be, Garden State Esports is focused on inclusion and equity. As a result of their efforts, there is an overwhelming population of female, nonbinary and transgender students participating at all levels.  

Soft skills that prepare students for any environment 

But the goal is not only to connect students, it’s also to teach them a variety of skills that will serve them well in every environment.  

Students learn a lot of ‘soft’ skills by participating in sports,” McKowen says. “Things like teamwork, communication and leadership. Our students are getting all of those, plus career and technical education tie-ins.”  

McKowen has students who are interested in journalism who are broadcasting the competitions live on YouTube, Twitch and other platforms. One Garden State Esports team member is a semiprofessional esports broadcaster who just started a program with students who are interested in broadcast journalism. The students get a chance to broadcast at the finals.  

Some students are interested in videography or making highlight videos for the team that are uploaded to TikTok and YouTube.  

Those students who are interested in the statistical and analytical part of the program critically examine the game play footage and dissect what went well and how to improve.  

While there are many adult-themed video games, student esports games are age- and school-appropriate. 

“Garden State Esports gives member schools the flexibility to compete in whatever their individual district is comfortable with,” McKowen says. “We have E for everyone, T for teen range, and games like Overwatch, Valorant, Fortnite and League of Legends.”  

According to Garden State Esports, they are currently in about 48% of New Jersey school districts. More than 350 schools are participating across 259 school districts. All told, more than 14,000 New Jersey students are participating in some way.  

Enhancing the high school experience 

The competitions are held on college campuses, providing students with an opportunity to see what college is like. College esports students also participate and partner with younger students to talk to them. Some students have even won college scholarships through esports.  

The atmosphere at in-person championship events is intense. Students play on a stage, in a spotlight and get rock star treatment. In 2023, Hopatcong filmed a video showing esports students striding confidently through the halls of their high school to fan appreciation. The video went viral on TikTok.  

Enhancing students’ high school experiences is an important part of the program. Forty-two percent of students did nothing at their school before joining esports. Ninety-seven percent made at least one new friend through the program and 72% say being part of esports motivates them to come to school.  

At the same time, esports is preparing students for college and the workforce. According to Garden State Esports, 89% of participants report that their team’s academic requirements motivate them to work harder in school. Sixty-eight percent want to attend college in New Jersey, and 57% of participants plan to major in STEM fields when they do.  

“Esports is helping students find a community they may not have had before,” McKowen says. “We want to continue to foster self-esteem, strengthen connection with others and build skills that will serve students in and out of the workforce. The championships are fantastic, but the biggest impact is seeing students thrive.” 

Kathryn Coulibaly is the associate editor of the NJEA Review and provides content and support to njea.org. She can be reached at kcoulibaly@njea.org. 

Garden State Esports 

Garden State Esports exploded onto the scene in 2020 and their ambitious agenda has led to massive growth and enthusiasm across the state. The organization is currently working to build legislative support and circulate curricula. Everyone on the leadership team at Garden State Esports is, or was, an educator, so they understand how to work with schools.  

Working with NJEA representatives, they are putting out guidance for schools to fairly compensate esports coaches. At the same time, they are working to get New Jersey Department of Education approval as a career and technical student organization (CTSO). By getting that designation, they will be able to provide greater opportunities for students.  

With a partnership with Epic Games to teach video game design classes, and Netflix building a facility in New Jersey at the former Fort Monmouth Army base in Eatontown and Oceanport, the stage is set for New Jersey Esports students to launch into careers in gaming.   

But to get their programs recognized and a certificate for completing them, they need to have recognition as a CTSO.  

Garden State Esports is the largest scholastic Esports organization in the country and is leading the way on many fronts. Other states are following New Jersey’s lead and creating more gaming opportunities for students.  

DAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia (UNG) has announced Nolan Belcher as the next head baseball coach, ushering in a new chapter in a proud tradition that spans generations. While Belcher becomes just the second head coach since the reinstatement of baseball on campus, he now leads a program whose legacy began at North Georgia College and continues today at the Peach Belt Conference and NCAA Division II levels. Following a national search, Belcher has signed a multi-year contract to lead the Nighthawks into a new era of excellence.

“We are thrilled to welcome Coach Belcher, his wife Rachel, and their children Brooks and Anna Grace to the Nighthawk family,” said Mary Rob Plunkett, Director of Athletics. “Nolan is a proven winner — as both a player at the highest levels and a head coach who’s built championship programs. His humility, leadership and team-first mindset make him a powerful fit not only for our baseball program but for the broader vision we have for Nighthawk Athletics. We’re excited to partner with him as we take North Georgia Baseball to new heights.”

Belcher brings with him a track record of sustained success. Over five seasons as head coach at Georgia College & State University (GCSU), Belcher compiled a 142-108 (.568) record, leading the Bobcats to four winning seasons and three 30-win campaigns. His 2024 team made history with 37 wins, the program’s highest since 2018, and a run to the NCAA Southeast Super Regional, the first in school history.

Belcher serves as the Peach Belt Conference Baseball Coaches Committee Chair and sits on the NCAA Division II Southeast Baseball Regional Advisory Committee.

He now takes the helm of a UNG team that posted a 41-17 record in 2024, shared the Peach Belt Conference regular-season title, and made its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2017.

“Stepping into this role at North Georgia is an incredible honor,” Belcher said. “This is a program with rich tradition, passionate fans and a strong foundation for success. My family and I are thrilled to become part of this community, and I look forward to building on what’s been established. Our goal is simple — to leverage the outstanding support and compete at the highest level, with grit, humility and purpose.”

A native of Augusta, Georgia, Belcher starred as a pitcher at South Carolina, winning back-to-back national titles in 2010 and 2011 and helping the Gamecocks to a runner-up finish in 2012. He later became a highly respected pitching coach and recruiter in the Peach Belt Conference and NCAA Division I, developing multiple MLB draft picks and All-Americans.

“UNG is building the most competitive, value-added Division II athletic program in the nation — not just for wins on the field, but for the leadership and impact our student-athletes bring to their communities,” said UNG President Michael Shannon. “Coach Belcher represents the caliber of leadership that drives this vision forward — grounded in excellence, built on accountability and committed to developing young men of purpose. We’re proud to welcome him and his family to UNG.”

Belcher officially begins his tenure at North Georgia on Monday, June 9. An introductory press conference will take place Wednesday (June 4) at 4:00 p.m. in Price Memorial Hall.

 

After sustained success in Belgium, Starcasino is now expanding its operation into the regulated Dutch market and Altenar’s technology will again power the company’s sportsbook.

This marks a major step in Altenar’s continuous growth across regulated European markets, with its Starcasino partnership demonstrating its expertise in nurturing partner growth.

Alejandro Cazorla, Senior Sales Manager at Altenar, said: “We’re proud to support Starcasino’s expansion from Belgium into the Dutch market – a significant milestone in our collaboration since 2022. 

“This growth reflects the strength of our sportsbook platform, built with the flexibility to innovate and the rigour to meet complex regulatory demands. It’s a testament to our commitment to long-term customer success and delivering scalable, compliant solutions.”

Pieter van den Bos, Director at Starcasino, commented: “Following the success of our collaboration with Altenar in Belgium, Starcasino is thrilled to introduce a unique sportsbook platform to the Dutch market. 

“We firmly believe that Altenar’s cutting-edge features, combined with Starcasino’s competitive odds and exclusive promotional tools, create a fresh and innovative betting experience tailored for sports enthusiasts in the Netherlands.”

Founded in 2011, Altenar is a leading turnkey sportsbook provider committed to meeting the unique needs of its clients. Renowned for its flexibility and customer-centric approach, the company specialises in customising solutions to new markets, audiences, and requirements.

With a focus on building enduring partnerships, Altenar aims to be the most partner-oriented iGaming software provider in the industry. 

For more information, visit www.altenar.com or contact [email protected].

Starcasino is an established casino and sportsbook brand active in Belgium, and now the Netherlands offering Dutch players an immersive iGaming experience in a secure, responsible, and fully regulated environment. The brand is recognised for its commitment to entertainment quality, customer satisfaction, and player protection – making it a respected name in online gaming.

Source: GMB