Electronic sports have arrived at high schools across Alabama, with the state becoming one of nine in the nation to offer ESports as a varsity sport. Students at Citronelle High School, Baker High School, and several other schools in Mobile and Baldwin counties are preparing for the official kickoff of the ESports season.
The competitions, run by Play-VS, feature three games: League of Legends, Smite, and Rocket League. For students like Citronelle High School senior Jeremy Wilson, the new sport provides a pathway to higher education.
“I’m a gamer at heart. I play games every time I go home, so having a way into college through gaming, that’s perfect,” Wilson said.
The opportunities are significant. Play-VS reports that 200 colleges and universities across the country are offering almost $10 million in ESports scholarships. University of Alabama ESports team member Erin Spaulding said the competitive gaming scene has grown dramatically.
“League is one of the biggest games played competitively. The prize pool for that is absolutely insane. There’s a lot of money that goes into that game,” Spaulding said.
ESports commentator and content creator Dustin Mouret noted that while competitive gaming may not require the same athletic ability as traditional sports, it demands great reaction speed, dexterity, accuracy, and strategic thinking.
“If you’re not going to stop them from playing a sport, why would you stop them from playing ESports?” Mouret said. “I think it’s just as likely, if not more likely, they might be able to be successful in the industry.”
Beyond competing, students can also earn money through Twitch streaming. Paid streamers can earn income through subscriptions and donations, with dedicated streamers putting in four to ten hours daily.
Wilson and his teammates at Citronelle High School have been practicing against advanced AI and scrimmaging against Baker High School to prepare for the season. Competitions officially began the week of February 25.