BUFFALO, N.Y. — Plenty of student athletes have come out of Buffalo Public Schools, and the district is hoping to find more of them with video games.
The district announced for the first time that it will have two eSports teams competing in a national high school league next month: one from Bennett High School and one from International Preparatory School at Grover.
The district says this isn't just playing games, it's something that opens up college opportunities and even scholarships in a booming industry, along with developing skills that can help in technology careers.
"Problem solving. The same kinds of skills that you need for a STEM career are all embraced in eSports," said Jackie Albarella, the Bennett team leader. "Also, eSports is a team sport that any student can get involved in.
"You don't have to be the biggest. You don't have to be the fastest. You don't have to be the tallest, and you can be a member of an eSports team, so it's very inclusive."
The teams got started with the help of money from AT&T, Bennett alumni and BestSelf behavioral health.