In its third year of competition, the De La Salle Collegiate eSports team won the state championship of the Block House eSports League, sponsored by Alma College.
The Overwatch and Smash Ultimate teams were undefeated throughout the fall season in the BEL (Block House eSports League); in 2022, the Pilots reached the Elite Eight in the MHSEL (Michigan High School eSports League). The Rocket League team qualified for the postseason in their first-ever year in the MHSEL, but fell in the first round. All four NBA 2K players ultimately fell in the MHSEL Playoffs as well.
Faculty member Ian Cicchini, ‘10, coaches the group of approximately 25 students, along with alumnus Sam Bickley, ‘23, who serves as the group’s assistant coach.
“I grew up in the age of video games, and it helps when the boys have a coach who actually plays the games,” Cicchini said.
Bickley, now studying at Macomb Community College, was on the team for two years.
Cicchini said that BEL offers four different games, and DLS participates in two of them. The Rocket League team plays in the MHSEL.
The eSports team meets in a fully equipped gaming room, adjacent to the Cafeteria, and makes use of a variety of computers and PlayStations, depending on the game. Team sizes vary from five to ten students.
Cicchini notes that the eSports activity teaches teamwork, strategy, and problem-solving, as well as learning how to communicate with team members and deal with pressure and stress - all qualities that apply to future efforts in college and in future careers.
“eSports attracts a variety of students,” he said. “We have bowlers, hockey players, football and lacrosse guys. This activity provides a break from the sports they play, and they are using their brain, rather than their body.”
Cicchini said that mostly colleges sponsor the various leagues, and many offer scholarships to qualified students. The director of the MHSEL, Ryan Cayce, is the Director of Digital Learning and Resources for the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals and the Director of the Michigan High School Esports League. Chris Gaumond, the head coach of Alma’s eSports team, is the director of BEL, the Block House eSports League.