Texas schools embrace esports with tournament

KILGORE, Texas — East Texas is diving into the world of esports with Region 7 Education Service Center in Kilgore launching its first-ever spring tournament, bringing a new competitive edge to local high schools.  

Jacksonville High School student Daniel Gomez, one of the competitors, said the tournament held this week exceeded his expectations.

“Frankly, this is one of my first ever tournaments I have ever been on, and it is truly an experience to have,” Gomez said.

Elizabeth Walker, director of digital learning at Region 7 Education Service Center, said 22 teams from 11 schools across East Texas competed in Super Smash Bros. together. 

“With respect to digital learning in Region 7, what we have found is that esports in general is really just growing, both in terms of the number of schools that are creating programs, but also in the number of career pathways that are available to students after graduation,” Walker said.

Students are able to win scholarships from just playing video games, Gomez said.

“It was offered an opportunity to go and try out for the TVCC (Trinity Valley Community College) esports team,” said Brownsboro High School student Riley Smith. “So me and one of my friends went over there, tried out a couple of games, showed off what we know, and we did good enough to where the coach wanted us to play for them and offered us a scholarship for it.”

Walker said with tournaments like those at Region 7, the gamers get to see each other in person.

“And so in this environment, they’re able to come together and actually have that social aspect as well,” Walker said.