Knightly News

Alienware, flashing lights, quiet clicking and the soft hum of battle. The new computer lab on the second floor of Aldrich Library has launched Episcopal into the next generation of community building, collaboration, creativity and competition. While the Knights Gaming Club is in its infancy stage, there is already tremendous energy and excitement surrounding it.

“We could rule the world!” “We’re so lucky to have these!” “Can we see it?”

The student response to a school-sponsored esports club has been incredible. As early as this summer, students wanted to catch a glimpse of the new equipment. When club sponsors Steve Latuso and Mark Engstrom polled Upper and Middle School students about their interests, they had to place a cap on how many students could join and find creative ways to host meetings to accommodate as many students as possible.

Today’s students grew up playing video games and typing on a keyboard. “As far back as I can remember I had a controller in my hand,” says Upper School club member Carlos Thomas. That passion for gaming made joining the Knights Gaming Club a natural choice. “My hope for the esports club is that it becomes a legitimate place for people to come and enjoy themselves but also a place for people to improve their gaming, share their interests with others and compete in large or small tournaments,” says Carlos. 

While tournament play may one day be a goal, for now, Upper School coach Steve Latuso says there is another priority. “I want to see what we can do together,” he says. Esports has proven to be a vehicle for players to develop a range of skills, including collaboration, which Latuso says he hopes to emphasize with Knight gamers. In addition to teamwork, Latuso says esports helps students develop 21st-century skills, including increased focus and improved mental toughness. There is also a considerable element of creativity.

That creativity inspired Upper School club member Megan Gibson to begin gaming when she was very young. “What I enjoy most about playing video games is the sense of creativity in them,” she says. “I like games that have a story or even ones that you create the story. The storytelling, graphics, and character and world design are big components of games for me.” Fellow club member Lauren Jack sees positive benefits in gaming. “It’s a good way to get your mind off things, like a form of escapism for some people,” she says. “I do it because I have fun doing it, it’s what I grew up doing.” Club member Yaseen Zaid who has been playing since he was nine years old says video games have positively impacted other areas of his life. “Video games have really helped me mentally, it helps me calm down and have fun,” he says. “Life can be stressful sometimes but not all the time.” 

Middle School Coach Mark Engstrom says esports at Episcopal will also help students develop leadership skills that will serve them in other areas of school life. He envisions a Middle School club where students guide logistical decisions such as which players compete in a tournament and how to help clubmates succeed. Athletic Director Randy Richard also sees the club as a way for students to grow. “Esports gives students the opportunity to compete and develop skills that are similar to traditional sports, teamwork, communication, strategy, and sportsmanship,” he says. “These are all traits that will help develop our students for more purposeful lives.”

A whole child education that seeks to prepare students for purposeful lives has a strong focus on social/emotional learning, and the esports club is no exception. “This provides students an opportunity to want to come to Episcopal every day,” says Engstrom. “It gives everyone a home and a sense of belonging. It’s about inclusion.” “This encourages an increased connection to the school community,” says Latuso. That connection is important for the student gamers. “I joined the club because I think it would be fun,” says Lauren. “I get to hang out with my friends and meet new ones after school.” Yaseen says he also enjoys playing with friends, but that’s not the only reason he joined Knights Gaming. “Another reason I joined the esports team is because of the very nice PCs that allow me to game at a better level than at home,” he says. 

Latuso points out that club organizers were intentional in selecting student games to ensure activities are age appropriate. Middle School gamers play Minecraft and Rocket League, and Upper School gamers have a choice of “T” rated games that are fun, family-friendly and creative.

In the world of esports, the sky is the limit. Episcopal Technology Director Michelle Chenevert says esports has tremendous growth potential as an industry. She says there are scholarships for gamers and a range of new career opportunities. “You don’t know where this little seed is going to blossom,” says Latuso. Today’s student could be tomorrow’s computer programmer, or esports may simply help students boost their tech savviness.

While the gaming capabilities within the new computer lab are impressive on their own, there is the potential for much more. Chenevert and Latuso say there are tremendous applications for media arts, engineering, computer science, ESTAAR and more. Already the yearbook team is benefitting from the faster processing as they create the story of the 2022/2023 school year.

While the story of the new Knights Gaming Club is still being written, everyone involved has high hopes for the future. “I believe that it can/will grow into something much bigger and I want to be a part of it,” says Carlos.

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2024-2025 application is now available! ​For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the private school, contact us at [email protected] or 225-755-2685.