CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- As competitive video gaming gains popularity in high schools, the IHSA is working on rules for state-sanctioned tournaments.
They're calling it Electronic Sports or Esports.
One of the first questions that needs to be answered is whether to classify competitive video gaming as an activity or a sport. Rules are much looser with activities.
IHSA Associate Executive Director Kurt Gibson said an advisory committee is wading into that.
“Another part of what our advisory committee is trying to do right now is get past what I’ll describe as the stigma. When you start talking about offering a tournament in gaming, a common first reaction we get from people is a raised eyebrow, like, ‘really?’ and so when you start to talk about some of the value that these students get then people start to come around.”
He said, “it’s incredibly positive. Esports offers, in many cases, an opportunity for a student who maybe otherwise hasn’t felt really connected to his or her school to feel that connection and to be involved at a deeper level.”
Currently, 49 schools are on the IHSA’s emerging sports and activity list, offering competitive video gaming. He believes the actual number of schools is higher and the IHSA has not been made aware of some programs.
Gibson expects the number will double in a year to more than 100 schools.
For state sanctioning of tournaments there has to be at lest 80 participating schools, or ten percent of the total.