Immaculate eSports Team Makes USA Today Ranking, Is Undefeated In CT

**News Release Submitted by Immaculate High School**

Mar. 16, 2023

Immaculate High School’s eSports Team is ranked #1 in Connecticut for the video game Rocket League – earning it a shout out in USA Today’s Sports section for eSports regional rankings! This electronic sport consists of team competitions in video gaming.

“I am so proud of our eSports team which is doing amazing in its very first year and is undefeated in Rocket League,” said Immaculate eSports coach, teacher Ryan Blecharcyk. “USA Today ranked us as #2 but then we had another match and moved up to the #1 spot.”

“This is just another example of how we stay on the cutting edge of athletics here at Immaculate,” said Athletic Director Nelson Mingachos. “We treat our eSports team just like any other and are celebrating its wins!”

The new sport is recognized by the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) and Immaculate’s eSports squad is playing other teams in the state. The team meets several times per week for practices just like any other sport and has matches weekly. Yes, there were even tryouts and selection for a starting roster.

But this high school trend goes way beyond Connecticut, as more and more schools create eSports programs. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), which sanctions high school activities and sports, started recognizing eSports as an official sport in 2018 and it has grown exponentially.

The NFHS website shares the sport’s benefits, stating, “Esports, or competitive video gaming, may not have the same physical demands as traditional athletics, but students’ focus on the shared qualities of teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership have led schools across the country rushing to adopt the country’s fastest-growing sport.”

Immaculate High School has seen interest grow too. “Since the fall, the team has begun to garner more attention,” said Coach Blecharcyk. ”A lot more students are asking about the team's success and who they are facing off against this week. We are looking to continue to build the team!”

What’s next for the Immaculate eSports Team? It will continue to compete weekly and if it qualifies, will compete in a state tournament the last week of April.