Esports championships take center stage at Baylor's Hurd Welcome Center

The bottom floor of the two-story facility became a hub for competitive and casual gamers alike, with state-of-the-art gaming setups, glowing monitors and enthusiastic middle schoolers scattered across the space.

The scene mixed cutthroat competition and camaraderie, where intense battles for state titles took place alongside casual gaming sessions that sparked friendships. Whether it was Super Smash Bros., Rocket League, or Fortnite, the passion for esports was palpable.

The event, organized in collaboration with Vanta, drew hundreds of students, coaches and families to Baylor. Outside, food trucks catered to hungry attendees, while indoors, Baylor hosted recruiting tables, showcasing its growing involvement in esports.

The day ended on a high note with a raffle for coveted prizes such as gaming consoles, sending smiles across the crowd.

For Anthony, a middle schooler from Arlington Independent School District’s Bailey Junior High School, the day marked a turning point. The newly crowned state champion in solo Super Smash Bros. said he was laser-focused on his winning strategy.

“I was trying to confuse my opponent by switching characters,” Anthony said after beating Carlos from Melissa Middle School. “I knew he’d expect me to play Dr. Mario again, so I switched it up with heavier characters to increase my chances of winning. I’m happy I spiked him in the last round.”

Anthony’s triumph avenged a loss he said he suffered last year, which motivated him to get back to this stage and succeed.

The event included other opportunities outside of winning state titles. Joshua Linnett, president of Baylor’s OSO esports team, said it was a chance to showcase the growing legitimacy of esports.

“Every game has such a big learning curve,” said Linnett, a senior and Texarkana native. “Even simpler titles like Smash Bros. require hours of practice and research. I’ve put over 3,000 hours into mastering techniques and matchups.”

Linnett said he sees esports as more than just a pastime.

“People still call it ‘nerd stuff,’ but if you look at the numbers — hundreds of thousands watching finals, millions in prize pools — it’s a real thing,” he said. “It’s only going to get bigger.”

The event also served as a recruitment opportunity for Baylor’s esports program, with Linnett eager to engage some middle schoolers, but particularly high school players who will compete Sunday.

“Tomorrow will be more about scouting talent. Today was chill, with middle schoolers just having fun,” he said.

The competitive gaming scene has grown rapidly, and the pathways offered to students are staggering, Vanta marketing director Paul Todkill said.

“In traditional sports, the college pipeline comes first, then professional. Esports flips that,” Todkill said. “Players often go pro in their teens, then transition back to college on esports scholarships.”

Todkill also said organizations such as Vanta or the Coalition of Parents in Esports strive to educate parents about the benefits of esports while promoting a balanced lifestyle.

“We’re seeing 13-year-olds competing for million-dollar prize pools,” Todkill said. “The conversation around gaming has shifted. It’s a valid career path, and hundreds of U.S. schools now offer scholarships for esports.”

Baylor’s hosting of the championship aligns with its broader vision for the Hurd Welcome Center as a flexible, high-tech facility, said Jason Cook, the school’s vice president for marketing and communications.

“Mark Hurd always thought big,” Cook said of the late Hurd, a Baylor graduate heavily involved with the school. “This event reflects his vision. The building’s design allows us to host diverse events, and while we didn’t initially plan for esports, it’s shining this weekend.”

Beyond the competition, the event fostered connections. Middle schoolers could be seen bonding over games while families and friends had spaces to cheer on their loved ones.

Middle schoolers wrapped up their competitions Saturday, and the high schoolers will make their bids for state titles Sunday. More than 450 students across nearly 100 teams were set to compete entering the weekend.

Anyone interested in attending will need to register online at no cost. Baylor students, staff or faculty with a valid ID are admitted without registration.