This was sent to me today and I am told it is authentic (if it is some type of joke please contact me immediately at: [email protected]).

 

I have to wonder if this is the beginning of the end for Kentucky High School Sports.

 

Subject: E-Sports

 

Teachers,

 

KHSAA plans to add "e-sports" competitions. Long story short, online gaming, only 1 game is approved at this point, League of Legends. The game allows for "significant team vs. team strategy and is incredibly popular in the gaming world."

 

I send this to you because we would be looking for a volunteer sponsor for this activity should we choose to offer it. It would not be a paid position at this time, but would most likely be a paid "coaching" position next year.

 

If you have interest in being a coach for e-sports, please let me know. I can send you additional information.

 

Unknown Author

Why would offering a new "sport" be the end of high school sports?

Why would offering a new "sport" be the end of high school sports?

 

Lack of resources.

Lack of resources.

 

At least locally, the schools devote very little resources to the various sports. Boosters and parents foot the bill for most of it.

At least locally, the schools devote very little resources to the various sports. Boosters and parents foot the bill for most of it.

 

Right and "E-Sports" has the potential to grow out of control and consume nearly everything.

Right and "E-Sports" has the potential to grow out of control and consume nearly everything.

 

Are you thinking kids will stop playing real sports to play video games?

I don't know about the end of sports, but we finally found one that I could have lettered in when I was in high school.

Are you thinking kids will stop playing real sports to play video games?

 

Yes, a steady, growing percentage.

Yes, a steady, growing percentage.

 

I can certainly imagine a scenario where lots of kids sign up for "e-sports," but I can't imagine one where kids are leaving football, basketball, etc. to play video games. Certainly not enough to end high school sports.

I’m with you Deuce. I don’t see kids leaving other sports for esports. I think esports will be drawing from a different pool of students anyways. I also don’t think esports is really something that will take off. What are they playing for? If they are any good at all there are no age restrictions for being a professional e-gamer so why would they play for free when they could play in competitions where they can make money? Hell, there are kids who are getting paid for people watching them play Fortnite. I don’t see this as a real viable option for KHSAA going forward, assuming it’s true.

Not the end of sports at all. The kids that this would appeal to aren’t playing any sports right now. The negative effect of video games in our society is WAY overstated.

I’m with you Deuce. I don’t see kids leaving other sports for esports. I think esports will be drawing from a different pool of students anyways. I also don’t think esports is really something that will take off. What are they playing for? If they are any good at all there are no age restrictions for being a professional e-gamer so why would they play for free when they could play in competitions where they can make money? Hell, there are kids who are getting paid for people watching them play Fortnite. I don’t see this as a real viable option for KHSAA going forward, assuming it’s true.

 

The bolded is exactly right.

So if I follow everyone all of you think that no student-athletes will choose to forgo "real sports" for "e-sports" and therefore this is not the beginning of anything?

So if I follow everyone all of you think that no student-athletes will choose to forgo "real sports" for "e-sports" and therefore this is not the beginning of anything?

 

I think it's the beginning of e-sports... I do not think very many students from real sports will stop playing those sports in order to do e-sports. If they can do both they will, but like Grant said, in general, I don't think you'd be pulling from the same pool of students.

Not the end of sports at all. The kids that this would appeal to aren’t playing any sports right now. The negative effect of video games in our society is WAY overstated.

 

That's a major mass generalization. Not all gamers are nerds with no athletic ability.