Scholastic esports is growing rapidly, with many education leaders building new programs, and many others leveraging momentum for continued growth. The NASEF community is vibrant and connected, sharing information freely through the NASEF Community Discord, Affiliate calls, and more. Insight into other leaders’ plans and experience can be helpful in charting your own path. 

With that objective, the Scholastic Esports SmartBrief has been conducting polls of readers to reveal intriguing insights into the practices, challenges, and aspirations within this burgeoning field. Here’s a closer look at what these polls tell us about the current state of scholastic esports.

The Role of AI in Esports Coaching

As technology becomes increasingly integrated into all aspects of life, esports is no exception. A poll conducted on May 1 asked coaches whether they use AI or other tools to enhance their esports coaching. The responses indicate a mixed approach:

• 11.54% of coaches use AI as much as possible.
• 15.39% use AI occasionally.
• A significant 46.15% do not use AI but express interest in incorporating it into their coaching.
• 26.92% of coaches are content with their current methods and do not see the need for AI.

This data shows a growing curiosity and openness toward AI in esports coaching, with a notable portion of coaches already experimenting with these tools.

Communication Between Esports Coaches

Building connections with other schools is an essential part of developing a robust esports program. A poll from May 7 revealed that:

• 19.05% of coaches frequently communicate with their peers from other schools.
• 42.86% do so occasionally but wish to engage more.
• 33.33% have not yet connected but are interested in starting.
• A small percentage (4.76%) are content with minimal to no communication.

This suggests that while many coaches recognize the value of networking, there is still room for growth in inter-school collaboration. The NASEF Community Discord is a perfect place to do this! Join today and connect with others right away.

Addressing Representation in Esports

Diversity and inclusion are crucial topics in any educational setting, including esports. On May 14, coaches were asked about conversations surrounding representation within their teams:

• 8.34% regularly discuss issues related to gender, race, cultures, and disabilities.
• 41.67% address at least one of these topics.
• 8.33% plan to bring up these issues in the future.
• 41.66% have not yet discussed representation and prefer to wait until it arises naturally.

These responses highlight that while representation is on the radar for many, there may be a need for more proactive discussions. Esports clubs present a perfect opportunity for these conversations. 

Awareness of College Esports Scholarships

College scholarships can be a significant motivator for students involved in esports. A poll on May 21 showed that:

• 25.01% of players are very aware of scholarships and see them as a primary reason for participation.
• 50% know about scholarships but view them as an added bonus.
• 8.33% are aware but not actively pursuing scholarships.
• 16.66% of players are unaware or indifferent.

The data suggests that while scholarships are a known incentive, they are not the sole driving force for most participants.

Career Aspirations in Gaming and Esports

When asked on May 28 about their players' interest in pursuing a career in gaming or related fields, coaches reported:

• Only 0.01% of students were certain they wanted to major in gaming or esports.
• 55.55% indicated fewer than half of their players were considering it.
• 11.11% said none of their players were interested.
• 22.22% noted that players were undecided.
• 11.11% stated their players weren't planning to attend college.

This suggests that while esports is a passion, it doesn't always translate into a career ambition for many students. With the growth of the esports industry, the number of colleges offering specific esports classes or degrees is growing as well. Because there haven’t been many offered to date, it’s no surprise that students aren’t focused on esports majors (yet).

Emphasizing Perseverance in Coaching

Perseverance is a key attribute in esports, and on June 4, coaches were asked how much they focus on this trait:

• 25% do not actively coach perseverance, leaving it to the players to develop.
• 62.5% include it somewhat, with a focus on other aspects of the game.
• 12.5% place a strong emphasis on perseverance as a critical component of esports success.

This data underscores the varying approaches to character development in esports coaching.

The Role of Esports in School Attendance

Esports can be a powerful motivator for students to attend school regularly. A July 2 poll found that:

• 81.82% of coaches observed that esports positively impacted their players' school attendance.
• 9.09% saw no effect.
• 9.09% were unsure.

These findings highlight the potential of esports to engage students academically. Several NASEF member clubs have conducted their own local research and demonstrated significant positive attendance impacts. Email [email protected] to request a copy of this information.

Beyond Gaming: Other Interests in Esports

Finally, a poll on July 23 explored what intrigues students beyond just playing games. The results were diverse:

• 25.01% are interested in video game development.
• 50% aspire to be professional esports players.
• 8.33% are intrigued by shoutcasting, video game artistry, or character development.

This variety reflects the multifaceted opportunities within the esports ecosystem.

Conclusion

These poll results provide a snapshot of the dynamic and evolving world of scholastic esports. From the use of AI in coaching to fostering diversity and leveraging esports for educational engagement, the insights from these surveys paint a picture of a field full of potential and challenges. As scholastic esports continues to grow, these trends will likely shape its future, driving new innovations and opportunities for students and educators alike.

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