Kletzel says the goal in the beginning was to meet students where they are and help them feel more connected to school in a different medium.
Aidan Learned is an avid gamer, saying it’s one of his favourite things to do.
Joining the team improved his skills and confidence and allowed him to check off a bucket list item.
“I really like being here it’s super fun and I can talk to all my friends,” he says. “It’s been really nice. It’s just that they have been supporting me along the way and it’s just learning new tricks and it’s just been really fun.”
It hasn’t just been fun and games though. There is also a gaming concepts class at the school, where students learn about health and lifestyle issues in the gaming world and awareness needed anytime they’re online.
Gaming is at the heart of the program and students could stay on that path into adulthood. The growth of the industry has major brands like Amazon and Nascar jumping in with sponsorships and universities are beginning to offer scholarships.
But Kletzel says as the program grows at Notre Dame there will be a whole gamut of opportunities within for students to go beyond gaming. He points to social media, marketing and coding as some of the potential avenues.
“I think sometimes people have their own stereotypes about what this eSports stuff looks like but there is lots of skill involved and lots of different aspects in the industry,” he says.
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