An announcer broadcasts to the few listeners in the room that eighth grader Zander Bartlett swung his third strike, calling him out.

On a real baseball field, he’d head back to the dugout, kicking up dust and wait for another chance at the plate. But Bartlett isn’t on a real baseball diamond. He’s protected from the winter elements outside, standing in a dry and warm Wrangell Middle School classroom, cleat free on the carpeted floor, trying for a homer on the Nintendo Wii. This isn’t free time, this is esports.

Although Wrangell’s student athletes have dribbled, served, and wrestled their way to victory for decades, esports has been gaining momentum to the school sports scene. Even if it’s missing actual balls and bats, it still brings teammates together, giving them a sense of unity.

When Special Education teacher Mikki Angerman learned about esports, she saw an opportunity, especially for students who can’t participate in traditional sports like basketball or baseball.  

“I started kind of looking into it, looking online about different schools,” she said. “And really, during COVID, esports kind of grew with schools.” 

When she introduced the idea to her students, they got excited. So she decided she’d build a team, even though she didn’t know anything about gaming.  She started hosting gaming sessions in her classroom twice a week after school with a handful of enthusiastic students. 

“All we had at the time was the Wii and we would do little tournaments,” Angerman said. “So we would have bowling tournaments, and we’d have, oh, they have sword fighting and they have Mario.”

She said she got prizes for the winners. Nothing big but it just kind of grew from there. Now, they have about 15 students in the group.

Benefits to gaming

She said some gaming critiques are misguided. 

“There are actually a lot of jobs that you can get from that experience,” Angerman said. “Anywhere from building a PC to the graphic arts of gaming, from managing it in a group and the social skills we’re having to cooperate with each other.”

Along with cooperating with each other, Coach Angerman said the students are also learning how to lose gracefully. 

“We have a lot of talks about it,” she said. “But what’s kind of neat, and I hope sometime that people can pop in and see our group, is they’ll talk to each other and be like, ‘Hey, remember, it’s okay.’ So they’re having those conversations with each other, like, ‘Remember, it’s just a game.’ I don’t even have to step in when they’re doing that for each other.” 

Eighth grader Houston Charles Natt has been in esports for about two years now and is the president of the club.

“I like seeing kids smile, getting to enjoy the games,” he said. “Yeah, the whole shebang.” 

He said his favorite game is Mario Kart Wii and he also really enjoys Wii Sports, especially boxing. He said there are benefits to playing these games too.

“It has been confirmed by researchers that playing games can actually sharpen your reflexes,” Natt said.

Another student who plays a significant role on the tech side of the club is the coach’s son, seventh grader Griffey Angerman.

“I’d say I’m co-manager,” he said. “Whenever someone needs help, and Houston’s not there, I help. Or when someone’s like, ‘Something’s wrong with the computer, like it’s glitching, or something,’ they would ask me.”

He said they just installed a Nintendo Switch on their flat screen, and they’re getting a new flat screen too.

“If they want to go in on their little own account, and do their little Animal Crossing World, or whatever they want to do,” Griffey said. “I set it up, getting it on (there) and stuff like that.” 

“Getting a PC would just be leveling up.”

The new screen Griffey was eager to install is part of a wave of equipment they received. At the end of last year, the tribal government, Wrangell Cooperative Association, awarded a $20,000 grant to the team. 

“I couldn’t even believe it,” Coach Angerman said. “I mean, it brought tears to my eyes when I found out we would have a chance at this. I’m hoping that we can grow even more from that.”

Angerman said after they found out they got the grant, the team made a list of what their biggest needs are. She said they really only needed the basics just to compete in the state’s esports league: at least six PCs, Nintendo Switches, tables and chairs.

“Getting a PC would just be leveling up. I mean, no pun intended there, but leveling up,” she said. “That’s a big difference.” 

Griffey said that esports are important to him because some people don’t have an after school program they can participate in. Plus, they can just be themselves.

“Some people can after school go to this club, which brings more inclusion to people,” he said. “Last year, a bunch of people with disabilities came in and they got to play too.” 

Since the club is about inclusion and respect, he said he wants anyone who’s curious about joining the team to come check it out.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) has reaffirmed its dedication to esports at Computex 2025 with the launch of several new products aimed at competitive gamers. The showcase includes the ROG Falcata 75% split keyboard, the Harpe II Ace gaming mouse, the Strix Ace XG248 esports monitor, and ergonomic gaming chairs like the ROG Courser and Destrier Core. These offerings are part of the wider ROG Ace collection, designed in collaboration with professional esports players.

At the event in Taipei, ASUS also revealed new partnerships, including a collaboration with Counter-Strike 2 legend Mathieu ZywOo Herbaut. ROG continues to support competitive gaming through long-standing partnerships with teams such as NRG Esports and Team Vitality.

ROG Falcata brings high customisability and speed

One of the standout announcements was the ROG Falcata, a 75% split gaming keyboard built for flexibility and high performance. It features ROG’s HFX V2 Magnetic Switch, which is hot-swappable and supports highly precise adjustments from 0.1 to 3.5mm actuation with 0.01mm intervals. Designed with POM plastic and a stabilising walled stem, the keys offer both durability and fast response, with a 100-million keystroke lifespan.

The keyboard also incorporates a multifunctional wheel and button for controlling actuation points, lighting, media playback and more. A Rapid Trigger toggle enables instant switch to fast typing response modes. Connectivity includes tri-mode support—Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, and USB—with up to 610 hours of battery life using ROG’s SpeedNova 8K wireless technology.

To improve comfort and acoustics, the Falcata features integrated four-layer dampening and detachable silicone wrist rests. Its precise Hall Sensor reduces interference and improves magnetic sensitivity for more accurate keypresses.

Harpe II Ace and Strix Ace raise the bar for pro-level gaming

The ROG Harpe II Ace mouse is built specifically for esports players, developed with the input of VALORANT pro Max “Demon1” Mazanov. “I got to bring my experience as a pro directly into the design process—down to the shape, the clicks, the weight, everything,” said Demon1.

Constructed from bio-based nylon made using castor oil, the 48-gram mouse is both eco-friendly and ultra-light. It houses the 42,000-dpi ROG AimPoint Pro optical sensor with track-on-glass capability and ROG’s optical micro switches rated for 100 million clicks. The new shape supports both claw and fingertip grips, while the redesigned shell improves lift and control.

With support for an 8000Hz polling rate via SpeedNova wireless tech and real-time performance boosts through a dedicated Zone Mode, the mouse caters to high-level competitive play. Additionally, ROG Gear Link enables configuration directly via web browser, avoiding the need for software installations.

ASUS also unveiled the Strix Ace XG248 gaming monitor featuring a 610Hz overclocked refresh rate and 0.8ms input lag, enabled by a Super TN panel. This makes it one of the fastest esports monitors on the market.

Ergonomic accessories and new esports partnerships

To complement its gaming peripherals, ASUS introduced the Sheath II XXL mouse pad and two new gaming chairs—the ROG Courser and Destrier Core. The Courser features 4D adjustable lumbar support, magnetic headrest, and a reclining system with back support. The Destrier Core, now in Moonlight White, is built with a futuristic design and breathable mesh for long sessions.

In a move to deepen its influence in esports, ASUS announced a personal brand partnership with ZywOo. “It feels supersmooth and fast. The switches are the best I’ve used so far,” he said of his experience with the ROG Falchion Ace HFX keyboard. ZywOo, a key member of Team Vitality, recently won his 23rd MVP title at the BLAST Open Lisbon 2025, setting a new HLTV MVP record.

Through these launches and collaborations, ASUS ROG continues to support both professional and aspiring esports players with hardware designed for top-tier performance.

CrossFit is proud to announce a new partnership with Zenni Optical, naming the innovative eyewear leader the Official Eyewear of the CrossFit Games.

As part of this collaboration, Zenni will provide eyewear to all competing athletes at the 2025 CrossFit Games, delivering performance-ready, stylish, and durable eyewear designed to meet the demands of the fittest athletes on Earth. Zenni and CrossFit will also launch a co-branded line of eyewear available for purchase on both CrossFit and Zenni’s websites, giving the community exclusive access to limited edition eyewear that reflects the intensity and spirit of the CrossFit lifestyle. 

Zenni brings a global footprint and deep digital presence as the largest online prescription eyewear provider in the U.S. With over 50 million pairs of glasses sold, Zenni offers an incredible opportunity to expand CrossFit’s brand reach to new audiences around the world. 

“When we choose partners, we look for brands that don’t just align with us in message, but in mission,” said Greg Schwartz, CrossFit’s VP of Partnerships. “It’s clear that Zenni shares our commitment to community and performance. We’re thrilled to welcome Zenni into the CrossFit partnership ecosystem.” 

Zenni is also committed to delivering long-term value to the broader CrossFit community. In the coming months, the brand will roll out exclusive offers and benefits for CrossFit affiliate owners, reinforcing support for the thousands of small business owners who power the global CrossFit ecosystem.

“We are thrilled to announce this exciting partnership with CrossFit, a brand that shares our passion for pushing boundaries and challenging limits. We believe that performance is about more than just physical strength, it’s about having the clarity to see the potential within ourselves and the world around us,” said Robb Chiarini, Head of Partnerships, Licensing & Events at Zenni Optical. “Together with CrossFit, we’re committed to helping athletes and fans enhance their vision and unlock their full potential, whether in the gym or in life. This collaboration represents a perfect fusion of innovation, health, and empowerment, and we couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead.”

The CrossFit Games take place Aug. 1-3 in Albany, New York. For more information, you can visit Zenni Optical.

About Zenni Optical

Zenni pioneered the online eyewear industry in 2003 with a mission to make eyewear affordable and accessible to everyone. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Zenni offers adults and children the freedom to express their personality through a large collection of high-quality prescription, non-prescription, and protective glasses and sunglasses curated with a sense of fashion and dynamic style. With complete prescription pairs starting at under $10, the company has brought massive price disruption to the traditional retail model. With over 51 million frames sold worldwide, Zenni is proud to be the Official Eyewear of the San Francisco 49ers, Boston Celtics, Monster Jam, Major League Fishing, Ghost Gaming, and more. Zenni has worked with designers and tastemakers on curations and collections, including Chase Stokes, Jrue Holiday, Sam Cassell, and George and Claire Kittle. For more information, please visit zenni.com/press.

By Jane Welch-Maiolo

Special to the Sentinel-Tribune

PERRYSBURG­–For the first time in school history, Penta Career Center held an athletic scholarship signing, no easy feat for a school with no sports teams or almost none.

On May 15, career center students Roland Keller and Tavion Torrez, of Bowling Green High School, signed letters to play Esports at Defiance College.

“This is a really cool thing, and the first time we’ve had anything like this,” said Superintendent Ed Ewers.

He congratulated the two who have been friends since ninth grade at Bowling Green.

“These are the first two students from Esports to receive scholarships,” Ewers said.

He noted that the Esports Club is young and recently finished its second year of competition.

“We are very proud that these two students have been recruited to play at the collegiate level,” Ewers said. “It’s quite an accomplishment in just two years, and we look forward to continuing to grow student interest in our Esports activities.”

Avery Meiste, head coach of the Defiance Yellow Jackets Esports team, said the two will receive scholarships of about $6,000 each, which are renewable for four years.

“This is a cool thing for Esports in general. Scholarships for this were a pipe dream 10 years ago,” he said. “We are really looking forward to having Roland and Tavion on our squad.”

At Defiance, Keller and Torrez, who were enrolled in Penta’s information technologies academy, will compete against teams in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Conference.

Those include Concordia University-Ann Arbor, Indiana Tech, Lourdes University, Siena Heights, the University of Michigan at Dearborn and University of Northwestern Ohio.

Before awarding the scholarships, Meiste observed the players in action and “saw how passionate they are about the games.”

He believes they will bring a unique skill set to Defiance and help the Yellow Jackets achieve success.

The Defiance team plays six to eight different games and ideally each member plays one game, the one in which they are most skilled, he explained.

Meiste said some students elect to play two games, but one is recommended to perfect their skill because “it’s an incredibly competitive sport.”

He added that if students compete in multiple games they become “a Jack of all trades and master of none.”

Penta Esports coach and information technology instructor Mike Reitzke expects the two to do well at the collegiate level.

He said they have held leadership roles in the club and are always willing to help teammates better their game, whether that be League of Legends, Overwatch, Rocket League or Super Smash Brothers.

Reitzke said the games played each year are determined by Esports Ohio and are more stylized versions such as a laser tag. “We don’t do Call of Duty or games like that,” he added.

Keller and Torrez are looking forward to competing this fall at Defiance where Keller will study psychology and Torrez, computer programming. They also hope to room together.

Both admitted to being more introverted prior to joining Esports.

“It helped me become more confident and led to leadership roles,” Torrez said, adding, “My mom in incredibly excited for me, and I’m thankful for her support.”

05/20/2025 – 08:30 AM

Fans Can Shop Official Merchandise from Ghost Gaming, with Exclusive Designs Launching at DreamHack Dallas May 23-25

NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA / ACCESS Newswire / May 20, 2025 / Amaze Holdings, Inc. (NYSE American:AMZE) (“Amaze” or the “Company”), a global leader in creator-powered commerce, today announced that its subsidiary, Amaze Software, Inc. (“Amaze Software“) entered a strategic partnership with Resurgens Gaming to become the official merchandise partner for Ghost Gaming. Through the collaboration, Amaze will power the official Ghost Gaming merchandise store and offer a fully integrated e-commerce platform for a growing roster of creators in the Ghost Creator Network.

Ghost Gaming is a leading North American gaming lifestyle organization with a roster of 85 managed content creators and esports competitors across multiple game titles including Fortnite, Call of Duty, Valorant, CS2, Rocket League, Tekken, and others.

With Amaze, Ghost Gaming now has a scalable, end-to-end solution that streamlines merchandise production, online store creation, and global fulfillment. Each creator in the Ghost Creator Network can have their own custom-branded webstore, unique URL, design services, social media promotion, account management, and turnkey on-demand production and fulfillment to their community.

“We are proud to be Ghost Gaming’s official print-on-demand merchandise partner, providing greater visibility and revenue streams for the growing number of influential creators in the gaming space,” said Aaron Day, CEO of Amaze Software. “As Ghost Gaming expands its creator roster, we are excited to provide a solution that supports both the organization and individual influencers with the advanced e-commerce tools they need to succeed in today’s expanding creator economy.”

The Ghost Gaming merchandise storefront is now live on Spring by Amaze, featuring:

Additional creator collections and brand collaborations are expected monthly, including a limited-edition Ghost Gaming x Jon Stand drop later this year.

As part of the partnership, Amaze and Ghost Gaming will debut merchandise at DreamHack Dallas held on May 23-25, one of North America’s largest gaming festivals.

“Both Amaze and Ghost Gaming are creator-powered organizations,” said Jon Bukosky, Chief Commercial Officer at Resurgens Gaming. “With this partnership, we introduce new ongoing Ghost Gaming merchandise and, most importantly, will also help gaming content creators build and scale their own brands.”

The partnership makes it easier for fans to discover and purchase authentic, creator-developed merchandise that matches their interests.

For investor information, please contact IR@amaze.co

For press inquiries, please contact PR@amaze.co

About Amaze:
Amaze Software, Inc. is an end-to-end, creator-powered commerce platform offering tools for seamless product creation, advanced e-commerce solutions, and scalable managed services. By empowering anyone to “sell anything, anywhere,” Amaze enables creators to tell their stories, cultivate deeper audience connections, and generate sustainable income through shoppable, authentic experiences. Discover more at www.amaze.co.

About Ghost Gaming:
Ghost Gaming is a community-driven gaming organization cultivating talent and providing platforms to create engaging branded entertainment partnerships. Ghost Gaming has a roster of professional gamers and content creators across multiple titles, including Fortnite, Rocket League, Call of Duty and Valorant. With millions of social media followers across all platforms, Ghost is committed to finding and developing exceptional talent that represents the diverse gaming landscape.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These statements relate to future events and developments or to our future operating or financial performance, are subject to risks and uncertainties and are based estimates and assumptions. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about our strategies, initiatives, growth, revenues, expenditures, our plans and objectives for future operations, and future financial and business performance. These statements can be identified by words such as such as “may,” “might,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue,” and are based our current expectations and views concerning future events and developments and their potential effects on us.

These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or otherwise implied by the forward-looking statement. These risks include: our ability to execute our plans and strategies; our limited operating history and history of losses; our financial position and need for additional capital; our ability to attract and retain our creator base and expand the range of products available for sale; we may experience difficulties in managing our growth and expenses; we may not keep pace with technological advances; there may be undetected errors or defects in our software or issues related to data computing, processing or storage; our reliance on third parties to provide key services for our business, including cloud hosting, marketing platforms, payment providers and network providers; failure to maintain or enhance our brand; our ability to protect our intellectual property; significant interruptions, delays or outages in services from our platform; significant data breach or disruption of the information technology systems or networks and cyberattacks; risks associated with international operations; general economic and competitive factors affecting our business generally; changes in laws and regulations, including those related to privacy, online liability, consumer protection, and financial services; our dependence on senior management and other key personnel; and our ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel and senior management.

Additional risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other future filings and reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from time to time. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Also, these forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of the press release. Unless required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events or developments.

SOURCE: Amaze Holdings, Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire