Photo: Courtesy of Bishop Feehan High School
ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Bishop Feehan High School has been investing in esports opportunities and competitions for their students, becoming the first high school in New England with a dedicated esports facility.
Esports, which is short for electronic sports, is competitive video gaming where individuals and teams play against each other in different video games.
Photo: Courtesy of Bishop Feehan High School
After years of competing virtually, the school says the student camaraderie fostered by their facility has been an important part of the sport.
Esports Coach Brian Endler said it “is a place that [students] can call their own. Back when it started, and playing from home, it was just really rough.”
Tim Sullivan, the school president, said esports shares many similarities to other sports, especially with how spectators can enjoy the game.
“Just this week we had the first ever actual esports match right here on campus. And it was just like a basketball game.”
In the match, players competed in games like Rocket League, Valorant, and Overwatch.
“The kids were competing against Mansfield High School. Parents were here rooting them on. There was a scoreboard, a winner (Bishop Feehan),” and a big screen allowing fans to follow along, said Sullivan.
Photo: Courtesy of Bishop Feehan High School
Sullivan explained that esports is a growing market. “Colleges are offering this as a major. Colleges are building these spaces on campus. It’s a rapidly growing industry.”
He added that “the fact that there’s jobs and college majors makes a high school like ours take notice, and I’m sure other schools will as well.”
There are so many students interested in esports at Bishop Feehan, the school said, that next year they might have to hold tryouts.
Photo: Courtesy of Bishop Feehan High School
The esports market has been growing significantly in the past few years, with its revenue reaching $1 billion in 2019, reported Forbes.
There have even been Olympic Games-style esports events, like the Olympic Esports Series in 2023.
WBZ NewsRadio's Madison Rogers (@MadisonWBZ) reports.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App | TikTok