outh Fayette SOUTH FAYETTE TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
The Rapid Evolution of Esports
36 SOUTH FAYETTE
One year ago , South Fayette did not have an Esports team . This year , the district is ranked second in the state for high school Esports . What happened in that short amount of time ?
In the spring of 2023 , a small group of determined middle school students approached school administrators , and eventually the school board , to propose the idea of starting Esports at South Fayette . They were granted the opportunity to participate in an incubator season . From there , the buzz began to grow .
Coaches for a high school team “ came out of the woodwork ,” said Dr . Kevin Maurer , director of Esports at South Fayette and Middle School Associate Principal . “ Coach Hausman and Coach Barth heard the buzz about an Esports program coming together , and it really did mesh well with their interests , their passions , and the courses that they ’ re teaching currently in the high school , so it was really easy to find adult sponsors to take the lead at the high school .”
Collegiate level players from Robert Morris and Waynesburg universities worked with South Fayette ’ s gamers to help them assemble cohesive teams resulting in three teams in both the middle and high schools . Joining the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Esports Association ( PIEA ), which consists of 150 + schools across the state , the South Fayette teams were matched against competitors for virtual competitions .
“ After the first few weeks , we were undefeated , and we started to realize that , wow , this is bigger than we thought it might be ,” said Dr . Maurer . By the end of the season , the JV Rocket League team was 6 and 2 and advanced all the way to the second round of the playoffs . Both high school varsity teams finished the regular season with 8 - 0 records and participated in the state semifinals that were held in person at Juniata College , with the Varsity Rocket League team finishing as runner up in the state grand finals . “ I think we took the league by surprise . To be that skilled in our first season and to do that well was very impressive , and we ’ re very proud .”
That Lion pride extends beyond the victorious rookie season . Coaches noted that the most important outcome has been the sense of belonging that the program has created for its participants . “ Gaming is traditionally done in isolation ,” explained Dr . Maurer , “ But we take them out of that environment and put them in a space where they ’ re collaborating , working as a team , and learning those skills that a lot of other students are learning in conventional sports .”