The addition of Esports to Westminster has brought a divide of opinion among students and teachers around the school. Many people vouch for Esports, but at the same time, some teachers and students question the benefits of Esports and if they are worth the expenses.
Personally, I do not mind the addition of Esports, and I believe that it can be beneficial and worth the cost because Esports can bring the attention of families outside of Westminster who are looking for new activities for their kids, and because it helps students develop certain skills from doing something they can enjoy. Another benefit of Esports is that it gives students another way to honor Christ in what they do.
Esports is beneficial for the school because it allows for it to have more of a diverse spectrum of sports and activities that will draw in the attention of families looking for a school. Cory Snyder, director of athletics, says:
“We had families asking about it (Esports) who were looking at Westminster.”
It is clear that Esports was something that other schools like CBC were able to provide that Westminster couldn’t, and that was causing a loss in possible students. With the new addition of Esports those families seeking a good Christian school that also provides Esports have an option in WCA. I also seeked the opinions of students and Sophomore student Jeremiah Helm said:
“Many other schools have esports teams. It’s a new way to compete with other schools […] another reason someone might want to go to WCA.”
Helm’s insight proves Snyder’s claim that Esports is something that students are looking for.
In addition Snyder claimed that there weren’t just benefits to the school, but also benefits for the students. The benefits he mentions were developments in certain skills that they can carry on in life even after they graduate from school. He said:
“The skills they can develop are critical thinking, problem solving, and digital literacy.”
Students develop these skills from playing games and from working as a team in an environment where they are surrounded by people who are similar and want to help them grow. Helm claims:
“The practices are really chillaxed.”
A more nonchalant practice will lead to comfortability and desire to grow the sport and team as a whole which can lead to the growth of student enrollment from students who want to play Esports in a good environment.
Finally a third benefit from the addition of Esports is that students are able to engage culture like Christ in more activities that they couldn’t before. A lot of kids enjoy playing video games and depending on the environment and community of certain games they might experience toxic language, but the Esports team provides a place where students can learn how to reflect Christ in how they play video games. The students can take examples from the coach and from each other as they grow closer together in a Christ like community. Snyder strongly believes that christians need to follow Christ in everything they do, and he said:
“Honor Christ in everything they do. Including video games.”
The Esports team is more than just playing video games after school, but instead another way students can show why Westminster is a great place to honor God.
Although the pros for Esports are evident it is clear that there is worry regarding the financials, and how it may affect tuition. Many WCA students follow the Instagram account named WCA Slander which has made a post parodying the initial financial cost of creating an Esports program. When asked about the financials regarding Esports Snyder says:
“It’s not like we pulled money out of the bucket for tuition, we are not taking away from anything. We are taking it from other places.”
This will give those who worry a great sigh of relief because it means they will not have to worry about paying money to the school in order to fund something they do not like. Snyder says that the money they are getting is primarily from another company named Jolt which is owned by a WCA alumni. Also, no money has been taken away from students who need assistance in attending Westminster.
Another issue that may come up with the addition of Esports is the misunderstanding of what is going on during the practices. I interviewed Emily Dierking, US visual arts teacher, who was noted to have an opinion against Esports, and when I talked to her she said:
“I wouldn‘t sign my kids up to play more video games.”
This leads me to believe that there may be confusion on the true meaning behind the Esports team. Although the team is playing video games every day as a way of competition the true purpose is the same behind the meaning of every sport at WCA. That meaning being growth in teamwork skills, and growth in honoring God. Helm said:
“Esports is beneficial like every other sport.”
Since students agree with what I said then it is safe to say that the goal that Syder set for Esports is being accomplished.
A final argument against Esports that has been made is the violence of video games, and if that should be shown in schools. In response to that it must be noted that the school chose games that aren’t violent, those being Super Smash Bros (Rated E10+), Rocket League (Rated E), and Mario Kart (Rated E). All of those games are not regarded as violent in the modern video game world, but I could see the worry behind Super Smash Bros. For the most part other than punching and attacking Super Smash Bros is a tame game where all the characters survive. Helm said:
“I saw Super Smash Bros in the fall, and I wasn’t doing any sports, so I decided to join.”
Helm is a Super Smash Bros fan and plays it at home meaning that it is allowed by family members. Dierking also said that her kids played Super Smash Bros at home meaning that her family also regards it as appropriate for kids. WCA carefully picked which video games they would have their students play, and I do not believe that those games should be a worry for parents.
Students and families should stop worrying about the negatives of Esports because they provide students with a new way of honoring Christ after school and during competition with other students and schools.
All in all Esports is a very big benefit for the school because it provides more diverse publicity for the school in regards to attracting families who are interested in the school. Esports also benefits the students because it allows for them to develop certain skills whilst also honoring God in the video games that they play.
