Kansas City, MO – Explosive growth in the competitive video gaming world has seen local high schools offering Esports as an extra-curricular activity, complete with coaches, practices, tournaments and even travel.
Esports, which involves regional or international video gaming events where professional and amateur players compete, was valued at about $1 billion last year and is poised to grow at a compound yearly rate of 23 percent until 2025, according to Digital Journal.
Belton High School, here in the KC Metro, has built an Esports team with 11 students that competes in two different leagues: the 40 team Missouri Scholastic Esports Federation (MOSEF), and the National High School Esports League, with more than 400 teams.
Park University, based in the KC Metro, has recently added Esports to it's athletics department. ParkU Coach Adam Farm says some colleges offer full ride scholarships for Esports players, and says the job opportunities grow year after year in the scholastic Esports industry.
“Especially, as more and more colleges start to pick up esports directors and esports head coaches," says Farm.