The Okaloosa County School District is set to introduce eSports programs at all high schools this fall.

• The initiative, spearheaded by Superintendent Marcus Chambers, aims to engage students in a new way while potentially opening doors to future academic and career opportunities.

Chambers’ enthusiasm for the new program was evident as he discussed its inception. “eSports is something that puts a big smile on my face,” he said. The idea was inspired by a visit to Northwest Florida State College, where Chambers observed their thriving eSports program.

“I went over to NWFSC and visited their eSports program and saw a number of students who were in there and were competing,” Chambers recalled. 

• To his surprise, he recognized several former Okaloosa County high school students among the competitors. Even more impressive, the college team was on track to be ranked number one in the nation at the collegiate level.

This experience opened Chambers’ eyes to the widespread appeal and potential of eSports. But the decision to introduce eSports to Okaloosa schools was driven by more than just its popularity. Chambers pointed to research highlighting the benefits of eSports for both academics and mental health. “There’s a place for eSports in Okaloosa schools,” he asserted. 

Initially, eSports will be offered as before- or after-school programs at each of the district’s high schools. However, Chambers expressed hope that it could eventually become part of the regular curriculum. 

• “We want to get to a place where we’re competing with other schools,” he said, outlining a vision that starts with intra-district competitions but could expand to include matches against other school districts throughout the state.

The superintendent also highlighted the potential long-term benefits of the program. “At the college level, eSports is literally a sport. You can get scholarships to go do eSports,” he explained. This opens up new pathways for students to pursue higher education.

Additionally, Chambers sees eSports as a potential gateway to careers in technology and game development. “For students who really like eSports or gaming, they could also look into creating these games or engineering these games in the future,” he suggested.

With the 2024-25 school year underway, Okaloosa County high school students will soon have the opportunity to participate in this program, potentially setting the stage for a new era of competitive gaming in Florida’s educational landscape.