For the past 6 weeks, high school Esports teams have been practicing their computer gaming skills and earning competition rankings through Berrien RESA’s Southwest Michigan High School Esports League. This semester’s competition will culminate with the League Fall Championship being held on Saturday, November 19 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Grand Upton Hall at the Mendel Center. Fifteen rocket league teams will be playing synchronously. This will be a single elimination tournament.
Schedule:
9:30 a.m. Opening ceremony
10 a.m. Matches begin
4 p.m. Finals expected to begin
After the competition, the closing ceremony will commence.
Throughout the day, $14,000 in scholarships will be awarded to various players from Lake Michigan College and Southwestern Michigan College.
All of the games will be broadcast on large viewing screens so that audience members can enjoy the action. Shoutcasters will also be on hand to explain to the audience game objectives as well as provide play-by-play information. For individuals who cannot attend in person, action will be livestreamed via Twitch at https://www.twitch.tv/swmsesports.
The event, which has been graciously co-sponsored by Lake Michigan College, is open to the public. Admission is free-of-charge. Food trucks will be onsite during the event offering meal items for purchase (Brian the Munchie Man and Scott’s Pig Roast).
Participating Southwest Michigan High School Esports League high schools include:
Berrien Springs High School
Bridgman High School
Buchanan High School
Ross Beatty Senior High School in Cassopolis
Comstock High School
Dowagiac Union High School
Fennville High School
Hartford High School
Lawrence Jr/Sr High School
Marcellus High School
Michigan Lutheran High School
Portage Central High School
South Haven High School
St. Joseph High School
Watervliet High School
Esports is an up-and-coming activity that is getting attention at the national and international levels. Students can go on to play for college teams and may also be eligible for scholarships. The skills used in Esports lend themselves to a variety of careers in the gaming industry such as computer and packaging engineering, graphic design, marketing, software development and communication.
Berrien RESA coordinates league play for interested school districts throughout southwest Michigan.
