Students at Owen Middle School have leveled up their after school experience with a new E-Sports club. The club, run by teacher James Sapp, brings students together to play video games after school, running small tournaments and groups for popular games such as Mario Kart, Minecraft, Super Smash Brothers, and more.
“One day, a student came to me and asked if I would help start a video game club,” said Mr. Sapp. “I didn’t know a lot about video games, but I did some research. I saw there were all these benefits that video games can have with kids, and that colleges were offering scholarships for E-Sports players. I decided, let’s get them started early in middle school, maybe it’s a hobby they can take with them.”
The club is popular, with more than 20 students coming to play games together on a regular basis. The fun is an important part, said Mr. Sapp, but also the skills they’re learning in the process. Playing games in a supportive environment like after school can help students learn teamwork, work on emotional skills like gracefully winning or losing, think of creative solutions to problems together, and practice patience and sharing. The club gives students something to look forward to, Mr. Sapp said, and a safe place to be after school. As an alternative to traditional sports, E-Sports can fill the same role in student’s lives, complete with college-level advanced opportunities and big money at the professional level.
For now, Mr. Sapp is looking to expand the club, hoping to join Minecraft Build tournaments next year with his students and add other competitive E-Sports games. He hopes his club can be a model for other schools. “It’s easy to set up,” he said. “You just need a teacher willing to try it, and a few consoles. I brought my Nintendo Switch, and a few students brought theirs, with their parents' permission. We’d love to see more E-Sports teams in Buncombe County Schools so we can compete together!”