Friday, February 3, 2023
  • Advertise
  • Submit Story Idea
  • Submit Event
  • Calendar
Arlington Today Magazine
  • Home
  • Categories
    • Arlington News
    • People
    • Community
    • Commentary
    • Business and Education
    • Featured
    • Wellness
    • Scene
    • Design and Interiors
    • Uncategorized
  • Digital Editions
  • Join the Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Categories
    • Arlington News
    • People
    • Community
    • Commentary
    • Business and Education
    • Featured
    • Wellness
    • Scene
    • Design and Interiors
    • Uncategorized
  • Digital Editions
  • Join the Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Arlington Today Magazine

Video gamers are toggling their way to college scholarships via esports at Mansfield ISD’s Ben Barber Innovation Academy

ArlingtonToday Magazine by ArlingtonToday Magazine
April 11, 2022
in Community
0 0
0
0
SHARES
170
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Texas Health Resource Breast Care Oct 2020

One of the fastest-growing sports in the world is actually played on a computer, and colleges are taking notice to recruit those players for their schools. Esports, a shortened named for electronic sports, are team-based video game competitions watched in person or online by spectators. Staff members at Ben Barber Innovation Academy started an esports club at the school four years ago to encourage students to interact with each other while engaging in their passion. The school recently unveiled its esports studio, which is fully equipped with gaming chairs and powerful computers.

  “There’s not a lot of clubs like this that are putting out the money to get computers and pay for tournaments just so these kids can try to pursue that later in their career,” says Yaden Gant, a junior at Lake Ridge High School who is a part of the club.

Related posts

February 2, 2023

February 2, 2023

  Students in the organization compete online via computer or console, such as an Xbox or PlayStation. Through the competitions, their skills are able to be seen by higher education institutions and professional esports leagues.

  “Right now, a lot of the universities are having esports directors,” says Dr. Kashieka Popkin-Duncan, business education teacher and esports club sponsor at Ben Barber Innovation Academy. “So they’re recruiting students for their team … the same way you have recruiters for football or for basketball, we have recruiters for esports now.”

  Miles Myers, a senior at Timberview High School, earned a college scholarship for video gaming. He has been playing since he was young, and after joining the esports club at Ben Barber Innovation Academy he caught the eyes of universities.

  “I was offered a $17,000 scholarship to Ottawa University, which has a very good esports program,” says Myers. “It was a dream come true honestly. I never thought I’d get to this point. It’s so different from baseball and football.”

  Apart from the love of gaming, students in Ben Barber’s esports club build a comradery. They said it’s cool to meet fellow online gamers in person. “My favorite part would definitely be playing with all my friends and getting to meet the new people,” says Luke Jaksik, a junior at Lake Ridge High School.

  That’s a sentiment shared by Dr. Popkin-Duncan as well. “For me, the joy of them now being able to physically come here, and see each other, and talk and build lifelong friendships is just a pleasure,” says the teacher.

  The Ben Barber Esports Club meets on campus every Wednesday from 3:30-4:30 p.m. MISD students are welcome to join. For more: www.vimeo.com/638800804    

Related Posts

  • PROPOSED ESPORTS VENTURE

    CITY OF ARLINGTON TO ANNOUNCE PROPOSED ESPORTS VENTURE WHO: Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams, University of…

  • Mansfield Scene

    Enjoy these Scene Snapshots from this Mansfield Scene.

  • Community Influence Leaders Roundtable

    View these snapshots from the Community Influence Leaders Roundtable meeting honoring Mayor Jeff Williams

Tags: Mainly Mansfield
Lively & Associates

Follow Us

  • But first   coffee    The Arlington Dunkin    located at 5801 Office Park Dr  today announced it will help keep the community running with a happy hour celebration offer throughout the remainder of August  Every day beginning now through Monday  August 31  guests can power through the rest of the month and receive a FREE  Medium Hot or Iced Coffee with any purchase from 2-6 PM   On behalf of local Arlington Dunkin    franchisee  Hiren Patel  Dunkin    is proud to keep Arlington running throughout the month of August
  • Nothing soothes the soul like a trip to the Majestic Smoky Mountains  Read all about the Greene family   s    COVID-cation    and travel safety in the link in our bio
  • Read the latest message from UTA   s interim president  Teik C  Lim  by clicking the link in our bio
  • The City of Arlington announces Unity Council  Read all about this positive way for the city in the link in our bio
  • Here   s to the All Stars  Click the link in our bio to find the complete list of Arlington Today   s 2020 All Star businesses in over 160 categories
  • Put DFW Restaurant week on YOUR calendar  Support your favorite Arlington and local DFW restaurants this August 31-September 6 during restaurant week    For more info and participating restaurants  click the link in our bio
  • This Arlington radio station is making movie magic   Read all about Crystal Vasquez and her upcoming documentary about local radio station     The Ticket     by clicking the link in our bio
  • With the school year starting soon  it   s important to know what   s going on  Read all about AISD and MISD   s back to school plans in the link in our bio
  • August is for the All Stars        Click the link in our bio to read our latest edition of Arlington Today and check out your local All  Star businesses
  • 12 Mighty Orphans: There’s a fascinating ‘story behind the story’ regarding this fine film

    12 Mighty Orphans: There’s a fascinating ‘story behind the story’ regarding this fine film

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • March Scene

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Visionary Who Didn’t Give Up

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Boot-scootin’ Boogie

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • In case of emergency: Mansfield Fire Department introduces the ‘Vial of Life’ initiative to keep residents on the ready

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Arlington Today Magazine

Arlington Texas Area News and Events Magazine

Follow us on social media:

Recent News

  • (no title)
  • (no title)
  • (no title)

Category

  • Arlington News
  • Business and Education
  • Commentary
  • Community
  • Design and Interiors
  • Featured
  • People
  • Scene
  • Sports
  • Uncategorized
  • Wellness

Recent News

February 3, 2023

February 3, 2023
  • Advertise
  • Submit Story Idea
  • Submit Event
  • Calendar

© 2022 Arlington Today - Designed by Advent Trinity Marketing Agency Web Design

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Categories
    • Arlington News
    • Community
    • People
    • Commentary
    • Business and Education
    • Featured
    • Wellness
    • Scene
    • Design and Interiors
  • Digital Editions
  • Join the Newsletter
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Arlington Today - Designed by Advent Trinity Marketing Agency Web Design

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add Arlington Today Magazine to your Homescreen!

Add