by John Sorce
john.sorce@theleaven.org
LAWRENCE — Sports played on a field or court is not the only way to add to a school’s trophy case — as Corpus Christi School here just demonstrated.
The Corpus Christi Saints added a trophy to their collection after winning their esports league in December.
The school won the Verizon Innovative Learning Esports League for the game of Rocket League at the middle school level.
The league, which is sponsored by Verizon, is a “free scholastic esports league for middle and high schools which will enable educators across the country to engage their students in a safe, toxicity-free environment that combines students’ passion for gaming with a focus on well-being and social-emotional learning.”
The team is in its first year of existence after technology director and teacher Zechariah Mickelson pitched the idea after being hired at the school prior to the school year.
Mickelson started a team at his previous job at a school in Texas and has a background with esports as he grew up playing and practicing with professional players.
Not every kid is athletically gifted, and Mickelson feels that esports can be another avenue to representing your school and making like-minded friends.
“Esports in general is very rewarding for the children who are not very athletic or are maybe not socially accepted,” Mickelson said. “They are able to join a club where they can play video games and experience teamwork, competition and responsibility.”
There are other games where teams can compete in esports like Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros. and Madden.
But Rocket League, which is described on its website as “a high-powered hybrid of arcade- style soccer and vehicular mayhem,” separates itself with its teamwork foundation as well as it being an easy game for an adult to supervise.
“With Rocket League, you can see what’s happening and how the kids are practicing,” Mickelson said. “You can set expectations and how to meet them, so that’s a big reason why we’re set on Rocket League.”
Most matches take place in a school classroom, and the team competes online against middle schools from across the country.
The team was also able to attend the Chiefs Game On! Event in October at Arrowhead, where they were able to network with professional Rocket League players from the Kansas City Pioneers, as well as play against other schools.
Being able to compete against other schools in-person is something that Mickelson is hopeful to experience one day.
“I think it would be fantastic if we could get our Catholic middle schools into a league together,” he said. “One of the biggest challenges is having in-person events, so that would allow us to do that more often.
“To actually wear your school jersey and go out and support your school against another team is a phenomenal experience.”
Mickelson got the approval to start a team with a $1,500 budget. He has worked within that budget and has also gotten the aid of some parents who have donated computers.
He is happy to help anyone who might be interested in starting a team at their school.
“A lot of schools are intimidated by the price because they think they need a tech lab with desktops and monitors, and that can get expensive,” Mickelson said.
“If anybody has questions about budgets or if the computers they already have will suffice, I am more than happy to be the go-to guy,” he said.
To learn more, Mickelson can be reached by email at: zmickelson@cccparish.org.
