High School Esports League (HSEL) and charitable organisation The Varsity Esports Foundation (VESF) have joined forces.
VESF will provide HSEL-partnered schools with funding to set students up for a future in esports by helping towards scholarships, esports league fees, and equipment.
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Bubba Gaeddert, Executive Director of Varsity Esports Foundation commented on the partnership in a press release: “The Varsity Esports Foundation is honored to call High School Esports League a partner in our joint mission to support students through competitive gaming. In 2019, VESF awarded roughly $200,000 in grants and scholarships to students across North America. We are actively searching for partners, sponsors, and grassroots donors to help us achieve our $300,000 goal for 2020 so that we can ensure more students reach their potential through esports.”
With the companies’ mutual goal of highlighting the positive impact of esports in the academic setting, they plan to “inspire high school students to achieve academic success.” Students who participate in the High School Esports League have achieved better results overall – on average – with higher GPAs, according to a release.
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Mason Mullenioux, Co-founder and CEO of High School Esports League elaborated on the impact of such deals: “Much like with traditional sports, esports provides a sense of community and opportunity for students, affecting their lives in profound ways for years to come. Thanks to charitable contributions made by private and public institutions to our partner Varsity Esports Foundation, together we’ve been able to support over 2,100 schools, which adds up to about 60,000 students and 120,000 parents, teachers, and administrators.
“$37 in donations is enough for a student to participate in a whole esports season; $4,000 sponsors an entire school. We believe that esports begins at the high school level and every dollar helps us make that belief a reality for students across the country.”
VESF utilises its partners – the likes of MAINGEAR, Razer, and Viewsonic – to provide the necessary equipment for schools to participate in esports activities.
Esports Insider says: HSEL has seemingly already made an impressive impact through its program and partnering with VESF appears to be a good move. If collegiate esports is the future of the industry – as these companies believe – then they’re off to a great start.