Norris moves to the next level with new Esports program

This year, Norris is offering an esports league for 7-12th graders, coached by Mr. Jason Gault, Mr. Colton Gronewold and Mr. Mark Hausner. Students will have the opportunity to play video games on PCs and Nintendo Switches. The team has three competitive seasons, spanning across the whole school year, with one state tournament each season.

“We aspire to create an atmosphere and environment that welcomes all, yet challenges each player to get better at their craft every day,” Coach Gault said. “Working as a team, our players will learn valuable skills relating to sportsmanship, humility, and grit.”

The league will have two teams: Varsity and JV, which will vary in size depending on which game it is for. Players will have ample opportunity to make their way up and into the teams for competitive play. Each of the three seasons will consist of regular competition, play-offs, and then potentially a state tournament.

“I’m really hoping we can show kids how to compete, how to be good winners and how to be good losers,” Coach Gronewold said. “A lot of the practice is simply getting into the game and playing. We have to learn how to do it as we go because it is such a new program.”

Practice is after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays for two hours in the high school’s mega lab. The team is providing 12 gaming PCs, 2 Switches, projectors, wired internet connection and headsets for players that make it on the competitive team.

“It’s a really great opportunity for Norris as a whole to get some kids involved that maybe wouldn’t participate in traditional sports,” Coach Gronewold said. “There are a lot of kids that are really good at the games they play, it’s a pretty cool opportunity for them to showcase their talents.”

For the fall season, players will be able to compete in “Valorant” in a team of five, “Rocket League” in a team of three and one-verus-one in “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.” The winter season will include “Mario Kart 8” and “Clash Royale.” And finally, the year will end in spring with “League of Legends,” “Starcraft” and two-verus-two “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.”

“We hold the esports players to the exact same standards that any traditional sport would have,” Coach Gronewold said. “It’s a lot like those traditional sports, we have practices and training. Instead of doing things with an actual ball, we use a controller and a screen.”

Similar to other school-sponsored activities, like football or band, students participating in the esports league must adhere to attendance and grade policies. In order to be allowed to compete, students must not have an F in any class or 2 D’s. Furthermore, students must show up to school regularly and have no missing assignments.

“As we get closer to competitions, we “scrim” with other schools,” Coach Gault said. “This is a great way for our players to evaluate talent, and strategize gameplay and technique.”

Many other local schools have an esports team, but starting a team at Norris was a long process, first initiated with research done by the technology department. When the logistics of getting equipment and having a location was figured out, a proposal was brought to school administration. Then a final draft was presented to the school board, where it got quickly passed.

“Coaching the team is a great opportunity to lead a dedicated group of students who have a passion for gaming while representing Norris with class and dignity,” Coach Gault said. “I’m most looking forward to the connections our players will make with their fellow teammates and watching this team improve throughout the season.”

Biweekly practices started August 30. The team is preparing for the regular season games by playing both in-house scrimmages as well as weekly scrimmages against other schools, such as Waverly and Minden. If students wish to join for the winter season, they can reach out to any of the three coaches.

Originally published in "The Titan Times," a page in "The Voice Newspaper"