The Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA) has decided to add a new sport in the state on Monday, ESports, and has finally sanctioned video games as an official school activity.
With the new addition, ESports competitions are set to begin in the 2025-26 school year and come as the UHSAA board of trustees unanimously voted in favor of the decision. This would affect high schools and is said to be a "groundbreaking" decision that marks a significant milestone in the association's efforts to provide increased opportunities for student engagement.
Sanctioning ESports as an Official School Activity
(Photo : Valve / Screenshot taken from official website)
ESports are generally competitive, multiplayer video games that are sometimes related to physical sports. Video games have seen a surge in popularity in the last few years with the continued advancement in technology and the internet, particularly the advent of streaming websites such as Twitch and YouTube.
Some of the most popular titles that are being played today include Dota 2, which has a multi-billion dollar yearly tournament, World of Warcraft, a highly popular and classic MMO RPG, and Overwatch. Many people have become professional ESports players who train and compete in several tournaments worldwide, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.
In the state of Utah, ESports will become a sanctioned sport in the near future and the season will run from January through April. In a statement, the executive director of the UHSAA, Rob Cuff, said that ESports gives a unique pathway for student engagement and competition. He said that they believe that it also has the potential to enrich the high school experience.
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The news release did not give any details regarding what games would become available to high school students following the decision or how many schools would be involved in the inaugural season. However, several schools are already participating on a club basis.
Currently, Ken Garff ESports has 42 high schools that participate in its network, including Alta, Bingham, Taylorsville, Roy, and Hurricane. Cuff added that ESports has the power to bring students together in new and exciting ways while also fostering teamwork, strategic thinking, and leadership skills.
Video Game Competitions
The news release also said that the decision underscores the association's commitment to adapting to the evolving interests and needs of today's youth. The vote to approve the decision came after careful consideration and collaboration with stakeholders across Utah, including educators, administrators, students, and community members, said St. George News.
Utah's decision makes it one of nearly two dozen states to sanction high school ESports competition. Students at hundreds of colleges and universities across the United States, including the University of Utah, participate in ESports events and some students receive millions in scholarships for their achievements.
The decision also comes as students in the state have been able to play video games in high school for years. However, the major change that it brings is that they will now be able to compete in organized competitions that are run by the UHSAA. Students will be chosen to represent their schools and compete in a variety of undisclosed video games, according to Fox13Now.
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