BARNEGAT, NJ – There’s a new sports jersey in town as Barnegat High School becomes the first in the state to award a varsity letter for esports.

A traditional playing field transforms to a virtual one as students meet their opponents for planned video game competitions. The esports season starts up in March when the Barnegat team takes on challenges from other members of the Garden State Esports league.

“We want to approach esports like traditional sports,” shared Barnegat Athletic Director John Germano. “This means taking a kid first approach and providing them with a safe, exciting, competitive, and positive atmosphere. If this is something they are really into, then it is my responsibility to provide them with the support they deserve.”

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According to Chris Aviles, the president of Garden State Esports, more than 80 districts throughout New Jersey are part of the GSE organization. Aviles recommended that all of the participating schools consider making their esports programs varsity eligible.

The state legislature passed a law in 2017 regarding varsity letter eligibility for any student who partakes in “interscholastic extracurricular activity that includes competitions.”

Barnegat High School esports athletes seeking varsity recognition follow the same guidelines as other sports in the district. Students who go out for the team must maintain good grades and attendance records. Varsity letters are also awarded for other non-traditional athletic competitions.**BULLSEYE

Varsity level scholarships for esports teams are competitive across the nation. More than 170 colleges and universities make up the National Association of Collegiate Esports. They estimate that their member institutions have awarded over $16 million in esports scholarships.

Several of New Jersey’s state schools offer competitive esports programs, including Rutgers, Rowan, and New Jersey City University.

Traci Sellers and Joe Saar coach Barnegat’s esports team with a roster of 25 athletes. Practice has already started for the spring matches in Overwatch, League of Legends, Rocket League, and Super Smash Brothers Ultimate.**STANDARD

“We have college kids come in and help coach,” said Sellers. “As far as the esports scholarships, it’s actually easier to get one of them than it is for the other sports.”

Barnegat High School sophomore Emily Schwartz, and Liam Mangeruga, a junior, explained why they were happy to participate in the esports program.

“I really thought it would be cool to be part of the team – like a regular sport,” Emily shared. “You have to be good at some of the same things you would do on the field.”**BULLSEYE

According to Emily, strategy and skills prove integral when it comes to competitive gaming. She participates in Overwatch matches and says “aiming” techniques are important in some aspects of the game.

Teams comprised of six members play in the matches. Their interaction with one another drives them to success. Scoring is based on the achievement of different goals.

Liam joined the esports team this year and is a part of the Rocket League competition. During his sophomore year, Liam started playing tennis. Then, COVID-19 hit.

Esports offered Liam the opportunity to avoid pandemic related restrictions and play a game he enjoyed at home. He also discovered some additional benefits.

“I find it’s really good for developing my hand and eye coordination,” said Liam. “There’s also a lot of teamwork.”

The Barnegat esports team did not lose time last year because of the coronavirus. The League of Legends team and the Smash Brothers team continued through the spring. It was the district’s first year in competitive gaming.

“Our League of Legends team last year made it into the second round of playoffs,” Sellers said. “Our second team in the fall also made it to the playoffs.”

Sellers anticipates that when things get back to normal, the esports environment will get more exciting. Competitive gaming now occurs from individual school home bases. Championships will ultimately be held at the Rutgers Esports Stadium or the New York Excelsior Theater for Overwatch.

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