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More Than a Game: How eSports is Empowering Sycamore Students

More Than a Game: How eSports is Empowering Sycamore Students
eSports students sit at a desk facing monitors displaying a game.

In the world of high school sports, a new contender is rising—one with headsets instead of helmets, controllers instead of cleats, and a digital arena where strategy and teamwork reign supreme. At Sycamore High School, eSports has evolved from a weekly virtual student gathering into a thriving, competitive club, fostering connection, confidence, and a sense of belonging among its members.
The idea for an eSports club came during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic when the district was teaching via remote learning. Students in Keca’s class were invited to join Google Meet sessions on Fridays to hang out with one another and play video games. While not competitive at the time, Keca says that it existed as a safe space for her students to overcome feelings of disconnection.

“When it first started, we only had a few students in attendance because it was very casual, but it quickly grew to nearly a dozen students,” Keca said. “It was clear there was a need for students to connect through their main passion—video games.”

Upon returning to in-person learning, students continued to voice their desire to game together and turn their weekly informal hangouts into an official club. The group began to develop a plan for an eSports club at the high school, and in the process, they were presented with an opportunity in 2022: a visit to Northern Illinois University’s eSports arena.

Sycamore eSports students play on computers in NIU's eSports Arena.

The group’s visit to the facility inspired the club and inspired Sycamore to look for its own home to house an eSports arena. Keca’s classroom slowly evolved to meet this call; donations of older systems, such as PlayStations and Nintendo Wiis, were received from the community and staff members Alex Mraz, Greg D’Addario, and Kate Hertz. The donations continued to encourage the club’s members and Keca, leading them to take an even bigger leap in the form of seeking grant funding to further grow their space and equipment arsenal. In the spring of 2024, Keca and fellow coach Jaxon Lang received a $50,000 Meta Community Action Grant from the DeKalb Data Center.

Two images of Lang and Keca receiving their grant at the DeKalb Data Center.

“The grant money we received from Meta’s Community Action Grant was a game-changer for our program,” Keca said. “It allowed us to purchase gaming computers, monitors, PS5s, gaming headsets, Nintendo Switches, and games—everything we needed to level up our eSports arena.”

The club purchased new desks, gaming chairs, lights, and signs, and put up a fresh coat of paint in their new arena to elevate the space. They also plan to use the grant funds to subsidize jerseys for their teams and add a new mural to the arena.

Through the power of the grant, eSports students have taken ownership of their space and were involved in every decision, from the monitors they would use to the paint color for the walls. Keca says this sense of ownership has been impactful to watch as a coach for the program, creating a deeper student investment in the program.

“It’s not just a place to play games; it’s their arena where they come and hangout,” Keca said. “That sense of responsibility has really kicked up their commitment to the team, and they’re more engaged than ever. They’ve watched their ideas turn into reality, and now they’re excited to show it off and take care of it.”

eSports students playing games together in Sycamore's eSports arena.

Students in the club continue to invest themselves in the arena, offering to make custom equipment for the space. Sophomore member Braden Wray is in the process of making custom keyboards that fit the specific specifications and needs of his fellow members. Actions like this are what Keca says shows the world of eSports isn’t simply about gaming, but about community, connections, teamwork, and “confidence at a critical age.”

“These students are finding another place that they fit into their journey through high school,” Keca said. “It really has become a sense of belonging for some of the underclassmen to connect with the upperclassman about their own special interests.”

Since becoming an official club at Sycamore High School and being approved by the IHSA, Sycamore eSports competes on the state-wide stage in yearly tournaments. Through their involvement in PlayVS, the club has two seasons; their fall season acts as a preparation period for the IHSA competitions that make up their spring season. Club teams currently compete in titles such as League of Legends, Overwatch, Super Smash Bros., Mario Kart, and Valorant, with Chess looking to be added in the near future.

The Sycamore eSports team poses for a photo in matching team shirts.

“Involvement in PlayVS not only provides valuable competitive experience but also helps our students develop teamwork, strategy, and sportsmanship, all while representing Sycamore in the world of eSports,” said Keca.

As the program has grown, members have been opened up to meeting other schools with eSports teams. Competing with these schools has allowed these Sycamore students to meet new friends and expand their horizons, all while deepening their bonds with their teammates.

“They've learned how to balance their school lives, personal lives, and gaming schedules—something that’s not always easy,” Keca said. “But seeing them manage it all while staying dedicated to their teams has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.”

The club has grown in interest among Sycamore staff as well. Since becoming an official club, several other staff have joined in guiding and supporting its students.

“It has also been so cool to see how many staff members are invested in eSports and have stepped up to work with our club,” Keca said. “I started out as the only coach and now we have three coaches: myself, Jaxon Lang, and Chris Meyer.”

Together, the three coaches watched as their Varsity Overwatch and Valorant teams competed in the Winter Playoffs. The Overwatch team is comprised of students Kyle Roland, Jake Maier, Colin Mills, Melissa Jager, Bobby Hamilton, and Reagan Ni. Their Valorant team roster includes students Cash Vest, Liam Jones, Adrian Springer, Isaiah Malloy, and Spencer Malloy, assisted by their bench of Melissa Jager, Logan Whelpley, Lucas Diaz, and Luke Curtis. In regional standings, Sycamore’s Varsity Overwatch team placed third overall, bringing an exciting conclusion to the fall eSports season.

Looking ahead, the program sees a bright future of eSports at SHS and elsewhere in the district. At Sycamore Middle School, a group of over 100 middle schoolers meet once a month in a computer lab to bring their gaming systems together and compete against each other, or simply hang out while playing games like Minecraft, Overwatch, Super Smash Bros., and Mario Kart, among others. Watching the collaboration and friendships grow at the middle school level is something Keca says has been a rewarding experience.

Two S-M-S students play a video game together.

“By starting to build these connections at the middle school level, students learn the value of working together early on,” Keca said. “This not only strengthens their social skills but also fosters confidence as they navigate new challenges and competitions in the world of eSports.”

There are hopes to grow the middle school’s program into an officially approved club, formalizing student involvement and offering further opportunities for connection and competition at the level. It has also sparked conversations about eSports opportunities at the elementary level through age-appropriate gaming and teamwork activities. For now, however, Keca is excited to see what additional opportunities bring for Sycamore eSports students. 

“We hope to get more school-wide support and maybe even create some scholarship opportunities for our dedicated players,” Keca said. “And of course, we’re always planning on improving our eSports arena—more upgrades, more events, and even more chances for our students to shine. There’s so much to look forward to, and we’re just getting started!”